SAMPLE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Abraham Lincoln Theme: Abraham Lincoln is known for his stand against slavery. This letter helps show people that Lincoln was an animal rights advocate, as well, providing "food for thought" on the connections between human slavery and animal slavery.

Adopt-A-Turkey Project Theme: The Adopt-a-Turkey Project provides an opportunity to provide people with “food for thought” for the holiday season in a fun and interesting manner. If you are writing about your own turkey adoption, it also presents a good opportunity to show what YOU (a member of the community) are doing for Thanksgiving, since many editors seek out a local angle.

If You Love Animals Called Pets Theme: This letter packs a punch, but in a loving way! It reminds people of the irony between loving animals called pets...and eating animals called dinner. If you have ever visited Farm Sanctuary, you might want to add your own turkey tale.

Abraham Lincoln Theme:

Dear Editor:

Since Abraham Lincoln created Thanksgiving during the Civil War, it has evolved into one of our country's most meaningful national holidays. It involves spending quality time with family and friends, and it hasn't been denigrated by flagrant commercialism like other holidays. But there is a problem with the way we observe Thanksgiving: At the heart of this celebration of thanks and appreciation is a meal centered on cruelty and killing.

The majority of turkeys raised for meat today endure inhumane factory farm conditions. They suffer from genetic manipulation, severe overcrowding, cruel transportation, and inhumane slaughter. In fact, turkeys are specifically excluded from most state anti-cruelty laws and the federal "Humane Slaughter" law. Turkeys are fully conscious when they are shackled upside down by the legs, and stunning is not required.

Remembering how Abraham Lincoln acted to outlaw the cruel tradition of slavery, it is ironic that the holiday he created has come to be celebrated by another cruel tradition. If his words are any indication, Lincoln would oppose the massive slaughter of turkeys for Thanksgiving. He said, "I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being."

Some people will impulsively resist the idea of leaving turkey off the Thanksgiving menu. Doing so, some may argue, goes against tradition. But, happily, our attachment to senseless and cruel tradition is less than our commitment to humane and social evolution. Otherwise, slavery and other intolerable practices would still be common today.

Every Thanksgiving, more people are starting a new Thanksgiving tradition by opting to feed turkeys, rather than eat turkey. For people wishing to save a turkey this year, there is a national Adopt-A-Turkey program, and more information is available at 1-888-SPONSOR. Individuals can sponsor a turkey who is receiving lifelong care at a sanctuary for farm animals. For those looking for alternatives to the traditional Thanksgiving meal, there are a wide variety of plant- based Thanksgiving entreés such as "Tofurky" now available. Vegetarian Thanksgiving resources and recipes are available on the website: www.AdoptATurkey.org.

Adopt-A-Turkey Project Theme:

Dear Editor:

This Thanksgiving, hundreds of families will be feeding turkeys, instead of eating them, by adopting turkeys who live at Farm Sanctuary, a national farm animal rescue and advocacy organization.

Through the Adopt-a-Turkey Project, Farm Sanctuary places turkeys in loving vegetarian homes throughout the country. People who can provide a safe, loving home are eligible to adopt two or more turkeys. Individuals can also sponsor adopt a turkey who lives at Farm Sanctuary’s New York or California shelters.

Every Thanksgiving, the shelters hold Celebrations FOR the Turkeys, where turkeys are the guests of honor, not the main course. Farm Sanctuary staff and volunteers prepare a buffet of squash, cranberries, pumpkin pie, and other vegetarian treats, and the turkeys have the pleasure of stuffing themselves. After having an opportunity to meet turkeys and see that they are living, feeling animals, many people decide to switch to a vegetarian Thanksgiving holiday tradition. This time of the year, friends of farm animals feast on “Tofurky” and other vegetarian holiday fare.

The Adopt-a-Turkey Project saves turkeys and helps teach people that turkeys need protection and love, too. Like all animals, turkeys experience pain and suffering, yet they are specifically excluded from state and federal animal protection laws. As a result, turkeys are subjected to intolerable cruelty at factory farms and slaughterhouses across the United States.

People who would like to SAVE a turkey this Thanksgiving can visit the website: www.AdoptATurkey.org or call the Turkey Adoption Hotline at 1-888-SPONSOR.

NOTE: If you have adopted a turkey yourself this year, you may want to replace the first paragraph with a more personal note. For example:

This Thanksgiving, I decided to feed a turkey, rather than eat a turkey, by joining the Adopt-a-Turkey Project sponsored by Farm Sanctuary, a national farm animal rescue and advocacy organization. My turkey’s name is ________________.

If You Love Animals Called Pets Theme:

Dear Editor,

Humans are funny birds. We love animals called “pets,” yet we eat animals called “dinner.” We spend billions of dollars each year pampering our dogs and cats, yet we send nearly 300 million turkeys to a gruesome death. We force turkeys to live miserable lives of intensive confinement and cruelty on factory farms, yet we claim to “love” animals.

Still, there are those throughout history who have recognized the turkey as much more than Thanksgiving dinner. Benjamin Franklin so admired turkeys that he suggested we make the turkey the national bird. Every year, the President of the United States finds it politically advantageous to pardon the turkey presented to him. And, thousands of Americans will feed a turkey this year, rather than eat a turkey, by adopting one through a national Adopt-a-Turkey Project. (Call 1-888-Sponsor or visit www.AdoptATurkey.org.)

Turkeys are living, feeling beings. They express happiness or fear, experience pain or pleasure and they just want to be loved, like anyone else. Spend some time with a live turkey, and you’ll understand. Turkeys like to have their feathers stroked, and make soft cooing sounds when you pet them. Turkeys are curious and follow people around, just as a dog does, to find out where they are going. Some will sit on your lap, and once I knew a turkey who liked to give “hugs” by stretching her neck around a person and cuddling.

As a nation of animal lovers, we should extend our compassion to all animals. Turkeys may not be as cute and fuzzy as puppies. But, then, is that really the right criteria to determine who is worthy of love and protection, and who isn’t?