Adopt a Turkey
Consider Forgoing the Big Bird at Thanksgiving
For most people, Thanksgiving evokes thoughts of mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, and pumpkin pie, and center stage on the plate is, of course, the turkey. If you haven’t stopped to consider what that turkey went through before getting to your plate, the Farm Sanctuary wants you to stop and think about it this year. Since 1986, the Farm Sanctuary has rescued more than 1,000 animals through its “Adopt a Turkey” project, which asks families to forgo the big bird at Thanksgiving dinner.
For the second year in a row, the Farm Sanctuary has enlisted Ellen DeGeneres to help spread the message. DeGeneres is hoping to convince people to donate $30 to the Farm Sanctuary this holiday season to cover the cost of a turkey adoption. Says DeGeneres: “Did you know that every year between 250 million and 300 million turkeys are bred for slaughter in the United States? More than 46 million for Thanksgiving alone. So, this Thanksgiving, instead of eating a turkey, please join me in adopting one from Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt-A-Turkey Project, and you can give a turkey something to be thankful for.”
Donors receive a certificate of adoption and a photo of their bird, and know that the animal has either been placed with a loving family or granted refuge at Farm Sanctuary. Twenty-two turkeys currently live at the New York shelter; 17 are in the California shelter. Some came to the farm after being seized as evidence in animal cruelty cases; some were delivered by slaughterhouse workers who wanted to put a stop to the suffering. Donations are also needed to support the Farm Sanctuary’s lifesaving efforts to promote a compassionate Thanksgiving and protect all farm animals. This year, the Farm Sanctuary is also hoping to convince President Obama to allow the country’s two pardoned turkeys to seek refuge at their facility in Watkins, New York, instead of sending them to a theme park, as is typically the case. By the way, these turkeys do not get much of an extension of their lives after pardoning because they are artificially fattened up for Thanksgiving. Have you ever seen a turkey in the wild? You won’t likely find one that is 25 pounds.
