Is your family already planning the Turkey Day feast? Do you apprehensive about another year sitting around a table where folks gobble up a bird? Even though you follow a vegan lifestyle you may not feel like you can do much to help when your family and friends are participating in a holiday where meat plays a major role. Though you can abstain from eating turkey and bring your own vegan-friendly dishes (or, if you have accommodating friends and family, maybe they make these dishes for you!), there’s something else you can do this Thanksgiving to help animals in needs and make a difference in the world: adopt a turkey. Farm Sanctuary, an organization which rescues animals from factory farms, has an Adopt a Turkey program which helps animals individually but also contributes to their larger mission. Here’s why you should consider adopting a turkey this season:
It helps an animal in need
Veganism is a compassionate lifestyle on a macrocosmic level, but adopting a turkey helps an individual animal in need. When you adopt a turkey you will receive a photo and brief bio about your adopted turkey. (I adopted one named Minerva!) Being able to put a face to the animal you’re helping makes you feel warm and fuzzy. If you’re not able to rescue a companion animal from a shelter, sponsoring one through this organization is also very helpful.
It helps a humane organization
Farm Sanctuary’s mission is “to protect farm animals from cruelty, inspire change in the way society views and treats farm animals, and promote compassionate vegan living.” When you adopt a turkey you aid them in this mission by giving them the resources to care for more animals, to rescue animals, and to educate folks about factory farming and the vegan lifestyle. What better way to spend your money?
It’s a tax-deductible donation to a charity
In case you needed more convincing, adopting a turkey is considered a charitable donation that you can write off on your income taxes. Not only do you get to have the feeling of knowing you helped an animal in need and supported a compassionate vegan organization, but you also get a benefit on your taxes.
Though you may not have a turkey on your plate this Thanksgiving, if you’re in a position to do so, you can also help make a rescued turkey’s life easier! Consider adopting a turkey friend this season and he or she will be forever grateful.
Also in Animals: Farm Sanctuary 2013 Walk for Farm Animals
5 Animal Friendly Charities for Your Next Special Occasion
Thanksgiving recipe: Mom’s Vegan Pumpkin Raisin Bread
__
Photo: Swaminathan on flickr
