New York, NY - May 3, 2006 - On May 20, 2006, Farm Sanctuary will join celebrity hosts in New York City when the nation's leading farm animal shelter and advocacy organization celebrates its 20th anniversary at the 2006 Gala for Farm Animals. The event, co-chaired by long-time animal advocates Daryl Hannah and Heather Mills-McCartney, will bring together celebrity supporters, key legislators and animal advocates in honor of farm animals and those leading the movement to protect farm animals from abuse.

Over the past two decades, Farm Sanctuary has seen the first laws passed in the U.S. to ban cruel factory farming practices, established one of the country's first shelters for farm animals, and opened the hearts and minds of Americans to their plight. The 20th Anniversary Gala for Farm Animals will be held at Cipriani Wall Street, where guests will enjoy a three-course gourmet vegan dinner, celebrity entertainment and a farm animal-inspired auction.

Celebrity hosts will present numerous awards to civic, social and political leaders, who have taken a stand for farm animals. Awards will be presented to actress and activist Alicia Silverstone, U.S. Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), actress and animal advocate Persia White (star of the UPN hit series "Girlfriends"), activist and supporter Jana Kohl, Candle Cafe and Candle 79 restaurants in New York City, and longtime Farm Sanctuary supporters John Archibald and James Costa. In addition, Chicago Alderman Joe Moore will be honored for his leadership in securing an historic victory for farm animals with last week's landslide vote to end the sale of foie gras within the city. More information on the cruel practice of force feeding birds to produce foie gras can be found at http://www.nofoiegras.org.

An ever-growing list of celebrity hosts and special guests at the Gala for Farm Animals includes Grant Aleksander ("Guiding Light"), David Boreanaz ("Bones," "Angel," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), Sue Coe (artist), James Cromwell ("Babe," "Six Feet Under"), Emily Deschanel ("Bones"), Lisa Edelstein ("House," "Ally McBeal"), Hallie Kate Eisenberg ("The Insider," "Bicentennial Man"), Jesse Eisenberg ("The Squid and the Whale," "Roger Dodger"), Dave Foley ("A Bug's Life," "News Radio," "Kids in the Hall"), Greg Germann ("Friends with Money," "Ally McBeal"), Mariel Hemingway ("Manhattan," "Star 80"), Swoosie Kurtz ("Frozen," "Sisters"), Jill Larson ("All My Children"), Moby (musician), Piper Perabo ("Cheaper by the Dozen," "Coyote Ugly"), Dan Piraro (cartoonist and comedian), James Reynolds ("Days of Our Lives"), Eric Roberts ("The Cable Guy," "Runaway Train"), Elizabeth Rohm ("Law & Order"), Paul Sorvino ("The Cooler," "Nixon," "Goodfellas"), Loretta Swit ("M*A*S*H"), Steve Valentine ("Crossing Jordan"), Joan van Ark ("Knots Landing," "The Young and the Restless"), Lindsay Wagner ("The Bionic Woman," "The Paper Chase"), Kelli Williams ("The Practice"), Debra Wilson ("Scary Movie 4," "MADtv," "The Water Cooler") and many more.

Farm Sanctuary welcomes members of the media to a special VIP Reception prior to the Gala to meet the celebrity attendees and leaders in the farm animal protection movement. An RSVP is required. Gala attendance is $300 person ($150 is tax-deductible) and tickets are still available. For reservations, visit www.farmsanctuary.org or contact 607-583-2225 ext. 221 or gala@farmsanctuary.org

About Farm Sanctuary

Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.