What is Adopt a Turkey Month?

Adopt a Turkey Month is celebrated throughout November in the United States as an effort to raise awareness about the welfare of turkeys, particularly those raised for food, and to offer people an opportunity to symbolically “adopt” a turkey. This monthlong observance is promoted by animal advocacy groups, such as Farm Sanctuary, and is part of a broader movement to promote compassion for farm animals and offer an alternative perspective on traditional Thanksgiving customs. By symbolically adopting a turkey, participants help fund rescue efforts, support sanctuary care for turkeys, and contribute to education initiatives about animal welfare.

Adopt a Turkey Month aims to highlight the personalities and unique characteristics of turkeys, encouraging people to see them as sentient beings deserving of kindness and care. Through adoptions and donations, this month provides essential resources to animal sanctuaries and opens conversations about ethical and sustainable food choices.

History and Origin

Adopt a Turkey Month began in 1986 as part of Farm Sanctuary’s “Adopt a Turkey” campaign, which was created to raise awareness about the conditions in which turkeys are raised on factory farms and to promote more humane treatment. The initiative started as a way to rescue and rehome turkeys that had escaped or been rescued from industrial farms, offering them a chance to live out their lives in the peaceful environment of an animal sanctuary.

Over the years, the movement has gained traction, especially around Thanksgiving. Through its Adopt a Turkey program, Farm Sanctuary has helped hundreds of rescued turkeys find sanctuary and aims to educate the public about compassionate living and alternatives to traditional meat-based holiday meals.

Who Celebrates Adopt a Turkey Month?

• Animal Lovers and Advocates: Those who care about animal welfare participate by symbolically adopting turkeys, donating to sanctuaries, and sharing awareness about turkey welfare.
• Animal Sanctuaries and Rescues: Sanctuaries participate by promoting their rescued turkeys, offering symbolic adoptions, and raising funds to support ongoing animal care.
• Environmental and Ethical Eaters: Individuals interested in sustainable, cruelty-free lifestyles participate by supporting animal sanctuaries and sharing alternative meal ideas for Thanksgiving.
• Schools and Educators: Teachers and educational programs observe the month by teaching students about animal welfare, the farming industry, and ways to care for animals compassionately.
• Plant-Based and Vegan Communities: People who follow plant-based lifestyles support Adopt a Turkey Month as an opportunity to advocate for compassionate alternatives to traditional meals.

Slogans and Themes

Adopt a Turkey Month is centered around themes of compassion, education, and alternative choices. Common slogans include “Save a Life this Thanksgiving,” “Be Kind to Turkeys,” and “Adopt, Don’t Eat.” These themes encourage people to think compassionately, challenge traditional Thanksgiving customs, and promote humane treatment for farm animals.

Colors, Symbols, and Patterns

• Colors:
  • Brown: Reflects turkeys’ natural colors and symbolizes earthiness, nature, and compassion.
  • Orange: Represents the autumn season, linking Adopt a Turkey Month with Thanksgiving and fall traditions.
  • Green: Often associated with eco-friendly and ethical practices, highlighting the environmental aspects of adopting plant-based alternatives.
• Symbols:
  • Turkey Icon: A symbol of the animal itself, often used in sanctuary branding and campaigns to represent the individual lives saved.
  • Heart: Represents compassion and kindness toward animals, emphasizing the humane aspect of the month’s message.
  • Feather: Reflects turkeys’ beauty and individuality, drawing attention to their characteristics and unique personalities.
• Patterns:
  • Leaf and Autumn Patterns: Often used in fall-themed campaigns to create a sense of Thanksgiving tradition with a compassionate twist.
  • Heart and Feather Motifs: Highlight the theme of kindness and the individuality of each turkey.
  • Farm and Pasture Images: Represent the peaceful sanctuary environments where rescued turkeys live.

Most Used Hashtags

• #AdoptATurkey
• #SaveATurkey
• #TurkeyRescue
• #CompassionateThanksgiving
• #FarmSanctuary

How to Celebrate Adopt a Turkey Month

• Symbolically Adopt a Turkey: Participate in a symbolic adoption through organizations like Farm Sanctuary, where donations go toward the care of rescued turkeys. Adopters often receive a photo and bio of their adopted turkey.
• Donate to Animal Sanctuaries: Support animal sanctuaries financially, helping fund turkey care, medical treatment, food, and housing for rescued animals.
• Learn About Turkey Welfare: Educate yourself on the conditions turkeys face in factory farms, the life of a rescued turkey, and the benefits of more compassionate choices.
• Prepare a Plant-Based Thanksgiving Meal: Try a plant-based Thanksgiving meal as an alternative to traditional turkey, exploring options like roasted vegetables, plant-based proteins, and meat-free roasts.
• Spread Awareness: Use social media to share stories about adopted turkeys, promote alternative Thanksgiving options, and encourage others to participate in compassionate initiatives.

Why is Adopt a Turkey Month Important?

Adopt a Turkey Month offers a compassionate approach to a holiday traditionally centered around turkey consumption. By focusing on the welfare of turkeys, this observance encourages people to rethink cultural norms and consider ethical and humane alternatives. The month advocates for the recognition of animals as sentient beings deserving of respect and compassion, promoting not only humane treatment but also healthier, environmentally friendly food choices.

This observance brings attention to the lives of turkeys beyond their role in the food industry, showcasing their intelligence, unique personalities, and the joy they bring to sanctuary staff and visitors. Through symbolic adoptions, donations, and educational outreach, Adopt a Turkey Month fosters empathy and supports the important work of animal sanctuaries, which provide safe, loving homes for animals in need.