Letters for Turkeys

Talking Points for Turkeys

Though it is best to use your own words when writing a letter to the editor, below are some suggested talking points that you may wish to incorporate. While you may not have space in your letter to touch on all of these points, using a few of them can help keep your letter focused for maximum impact. Also, be sure to check out our tips on writing letters to the editor, if you haven’t already.

Here are some talking points to get you started:

Theme: Spreading the word about the Adopt-A-Turkey Project

• This Thanksgiving, instead of eating a turkey, you can start a new tradition by “adopting” one through Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt-A-Turkey Project.
• Since 1986, Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt-A-Turkey Project has saved the lives of countless turkeys and educated millions of people about their plight on factory farms.
• Through the Adopt-A-Turkey Project, compassionate citizens help sponsor the care of turkeys who have been rescued from cruelty, and help Farm Sanctuary educate and advocate for turkeys, and other farm animals, everywhere.
• People who would like to save a turkey through sponsorship this Thanksgiving can visit adoptaturkey.org or call the Turkey Adoption Hotline at 1-888-SPONSOR.
• The Adopt-A-Turkey Project Web site, adoptaturkey.org, also includes a number of vegan Thanksgiving recipes that can satisfy your family’s desire for food that is both delicious and compassionate.

NOTE: If you have sponsored a turkey yourself, you may wish to mention that at the beginning of your letter, and include your turkey’s name and personality details.

Theme: While Americans care deeply about animals, many are not aware that farm animals suffer greatly.

• While Americans generally frown upon animal cruelty, and frequently demand punishment for those who are caught abusing animals, few people give any thought to the farm animals who are abused daily for human consumption.
• Every year, more than 46 million turkeys are killed for Thanksgiving holiday dinners.
• Like our beloved cats and dogs, turkeys are intelligent and sensitive animals who form strong social bonds and show great affection to others.
• On factory farms, these birds frequently have the ends of their beaks and toes cut off to prevent them from injuring one another as they are crowded by the hundreds into dark, filthy warehouses.
• Turkeys, along with other poultry, are not protected by the federal Humane Slaughter Act, and are frequently killed without first being stunned.
• As a nation that values kindness over cruelty we should extend our circle of compassion to include all animals, not just cats and dogs.
• Start a new tradition this year: instead of eating a turkey, sponsor a turkey through Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt-A-Turkey Project. Visit adoptaturkey.org for details.

Theme: “Humane” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be

• Americans are becoming increasingly concerned about the treatment of animals raised for food, especially those raised on factory farms.
• While many people may be shopping for “humanely raised” turkeys this Thanksgiving, such “humane” labels aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.
• According to an extensive report produced by Farm Sanctuary, most farms producing so-called “humane” products still adhere to many of the cruel practices common to factory farms.
• Regardless of how animals are raised, they all face the same cruel fate at the slaughterhouse, particularly birds, who are not covered by the federal Humane Slaughter Act.
• Being truly humane means acting in accordance with kindness, mercy and compassion.
• Start a new tradition this year: instead of eating a turkey, sponsor a turkey through Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt-A-Turkey Project. Visit adoptaturkey.org for details.

NOTE: Find more facts and about “free-range” and “organic” turkeys here. And, for more information on Farm Sanctuary’s Truth Behind Labels Campaign, check out our full report.

Theme: Let ALL animals be thankful

• While many people look at Thanksgiving as a time to count their blessings and reflect on what they have to be grateful for, it is a cause for terrible suffering for the more than 46 million turkeys who are killed every year for Thanksgiving feasts.
• While we may be giving thanks for our good health, our freedoms, our families, or simply our lives, these basic gifts are routinely taken from turkeys and other farm animals – more than 10 billion per year in the U. S. alone.
• Gandhi once said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
• This Thanksgiving, start a new tradition of showing mercy to the turkeys (and other animals): instead of eating a turkey, sponsor a turkey through Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt-A-Turkey Project. Visit adoptaturkey.org for details.

Theme: Turkeys are intelligent, sensitive beings deserving of our compassion

• Turkeys recognize each other by their unique voices.
• Researchers have identified more than 20 distinct vocalizations in wild turkeys.
• Turkeys communicate their emotions by way of color changes in the skin on their necks and faces and their snoods, which reflect how they feel at any given time.
• Turkeys have excellent geography skills and can learn the specific details of an area of more than 1,000 acres.
• Start a new tradition this year: instead of eating a turkey, sponsor a turkey through Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt-A-Turkey Project. Visit adoptaturkey.org for details.