planet manners: Rethink #Thanksgiving : A New #Tradition of #Compassion

Check out these great resources and solutions. Life should not be torture for turkeys.

----- Forwarded message ----
From: Lia Wilbourn - Farmed Animals Campaign Coordinator, In Defense of Animals <info@idausa.org>
Date: Wed, Nov 27, 2024, 2:31 PM
Subject: Rethink Thanksgiving: A New Tradition of Compassion
To:

Did you know that wild turkeys can live up to ten years in their natural habitat?

How old do you think the turkeys on dinner tables across the country are when they are killed?

The truth is shocking: most are slaughtered at just 12 to 19 weeks old!

I'm Lia Wilbourn, Farmed Animals Campaign Coordinator at In Defense of Animals, and I'm writing to you because this single fact underscores an important truth: turkeys, like all animals, are individuals. They are not commodities for our traditions—they are sentient beings who experience joy, pain, fear, empathy and love.

A Tradition in Need of Change

Each Thanksgiving, over 46 million turkeys are slaughtered in the United States alone. For 99% of them, their short lives are spent in darkness, crowded in sheds, unable to spread their wings or walk without pain. They are mutilated and selectively bred to grow unnaturally large and fast, enduring broken bones, heart failure, and constant discomfort, before being sent to slaughterhouses.

But it doesn't have to be this way.

When we focus on what Thanksgiving is meant to celebrate—gratitude, community, and connection—it becomes clear that these values are deeply misaligned with the exploitation, cruelty and slaughter imposed on turkeys. Why is it that the presence of feathers, talons, and beaks invalidates their right to experience freedom, joy and a life free from harm by humans?

Would we tolerate this if it were done to a group of humans simply because they spoke a different language or looked different from us? Of course not. It's time to extend the same justice and compassion to turkeys and all animals.

Justice and Compassion Is The New Tradition

Let's do unto all animals as we would have them do unto us. Let's create traditions rooted in common decency and kindness, not violence.

Here are some ways you can make a difference:

Discover Their Stories: Learn the truth about these amazing animals and what they face in animal farming in my recent blog, Honor Turkeys and Celebrate Thanksgiving with Compassion.
Witness Their World: Watch My Life as a Turkey on PBS—a true story of a man who raises wild turkeys from hatchlings, forming bonds that forever change his understanding of these incredible birds. Watch Here.
Explore Plant-Based Alternatives: Delicious, compassionate options like Gardein's Plant-Based Roast, Field Roast Celebration Roast, and Tofurky Feast make it easier than ever to celebrate with the nostalgic and traditional flavors you love without the cruelty and killing
Connect With Us for Support: Thanksgiving can be challenging for animal advocates. Meet with kindred spirits who share your values in our Animal Activist Online Support Group on Nov. 28.
Watch Our Recent Webinar: Join the enlightening discussion on vegan advocacy featuring Dr. Faraz Harsini, CEO of Allied Scholars for Animal Protection, and myself. Watch Here.
Start Your Vegan Journey Today: Download our free Vegan Starter Guide for making the transition to vegan both easy and delicious.

Let's Change For Them

This Thanksgiving, and every day, let's rewrite the narrative. Together, we can honor all human and non-human animals by not taking part in their exploitation and death. With so many incredible plant-based options and supportive resources available, it's easier than ever to leave animals and their milk and eggs off our plates.

By making new choices, we send a powerful message: gratitude doesn't have to come at the cost of someone else.

Thank you for standing with us and the animals.

With hope and determination,

Lia Wilbourn
Farmed Animals Campaign Coordinator
In Defense of Animals