NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Each November millions of turkeys are killed and cooked for Thanksgiving meals across the United States, but thanks to Humane Long Island, two baby turkeys were plucked from a New York City slaughterhouse and saved from that fate.
The three-month old baby turkeys—one of which is named Henry—now get another leash on life at Humane Long Island’s Riverhead sanctuary. The animal rights group partnered with the city’s live slaughter market, and traded two vegan roasts to save the birds’ lives.
“Every single year, we go to several of these markets and we plead for the lives of these animals, and we bring gifts of vegan roasts,” anthrozoologist and executive director of Humane Long Island John Di Leonardo told 1010 WINS.
He emphasized that turkeys, a Thanksgiving dinner staple, are lovable creatures that deserve to be spared.
“Turkeys are curious animals who enjoy having their bellies rubbed and who like listening to music, with which they’ll often loudly sing along,” Di Leonardo said.
Around the holiday season, the organization pushes for New Yorkers to move their meals in a plant-based direction to save the lives of animals across the state.
Humane Long Island partnered with NYCLASS (New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets) and Assemblymember Harvey Epstein to hold the East Village’s ever vegan roast giveaway last week, providing alternative options for NYC families.
“As a vegan, or someone who has been plant-based for a while, I think it’s really critical that we make sure that they have holiday options and that’s what this is about,” Epstein said in a video promoting the giveaway of Tofurkey, Gardein and Field Roast brand vegan alternatives.
On Wednesday, Humane Long Island is bringing this tradition back to Suffolk County alongside Legislator Rebecca Sanin, offering nearly 100 plant-based roasts to residents at Cindy Snacks in Centerport.
“For this holiday, Humane Long Island is urging the public to save 200 animals just like these turkeys by simply leaving animals off your plate and enjoying a delicious, savory vegan roast that everyone can be thankful for,” Di Leonardo said.