An Anti-Trump Thanksgiving? No way: But Alec Baldwin's Adopted a Turkey

NEWPORT, RI – So it turns out everybody doesn't eat a turkey at Thanksgiving. Some people adopt them.

Animal lovers have for years suggested going with a new holiday tradition , a"compassionate" celebration, and leaving the fowl and other animals off the menu. Farm Sanctuary started Adopt a Turkey in 1986, and it's been the biggest annual fundraiser.

It's not alone.

According to Kim Sturla, of California's Animal Place, "for turkeys, Thanksgiving is a terrible time. More than 40 million are slaughtered for the “holiday” alone."

She's asking animal lovers to skip the traditional menu and send a $25 donation to help support the 22 rescued turkeys at the sanctuary, starting one turkey at a time with Sassafras. Sponsor Sassafras now!

"Your $25 sponsorship includes an official Animal Place Sassafras Foster Parent certificate, our newsletter, a Foster Parent wallet card, and a Humane Eating Guide pamphlet," she said.. "More importantly, your $25 goes toward the direct care of Sassafras and her turkey friends! $25 covers the cost of feed, veterinary care, and bedding.Eating with family, friends, or colleagues who may be less aware of how amazing turkeys are? Bring Sassafras to the party. Show up with your Foster Parent certificate and share why you celebrate turkeys by not eating them."

Farm Sanctuary in New York and in California persuaded Alec Baldwin to serve as its official 2016 spokesman.

Baldwin has been impersonating President-elect Trump on Saturday Night Live skits, but his connection with Farm Sanctuary is absolutely not related.

"There is absolutely no connection whatsoever between our selection of Alec Baldwin as our 2016 Adopt a Turkey spokesperson and anti-Trump sentiments," said Meredith Turner-Smith. " Farm Sanctuary is a strictly bipartisan organization and we selected Alec entirely because of his longtime support for Farm Sanctuary and his dedication to protecting farm animals from cruelty."

According to the press release, Baldwin made these comments:

"Like most people, I don’t like thinking about things that make me feel bad. But I also don’t like animal suffering, so I feel the need to speak out about it. At least 46 million turkeys suffer heartbreaking fear and pain before being killed each and every Thanksgiving. This year, I’m supporting Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt a Turkey Project because turkeys are just as friendly, smart, and full of feeling as my dogs, and they deserve to be treated better. I hope you’ll join me by sponsoring”

Compassion towards turkeys at the White House is bipartisan. All U.S. presidents have pardoned the turkey since President John F. Kennedy started the tradition.