Adopt A Turkey Project

Venus “The Champion” Venus came to live at our Southern California Sanctuary with her “sister” Serena after a rescuer spared them from becoming Thanksgiving meals. Venus is a heritage bird with bronze feathers—unlike the majority of white-feathered turkeys raised for food in the United States. Whether turkeys are raised on factory farms or smaller establishments, though, they are subjected to similar acts of cruelty. Venus was debeaked: a painful procedure carried out to prevent fighting among...

Ferris “The Hotshot” Ferris was rescued from a feed store along with fellow turkey tom Faye. Many people patronize feed stores because they don’t want to support factory farming—not realizing that these birds endure much of the same trauma as their industrially-raised brethren. They come from the same hatcheries, get shipped through the mail as babies, and face slaughter at fractions of their lifespans. Now safe at Sanctuary, Ferris (and Faye) live freely without fear, and are fun and...

Tutu “The Charmer” Tutu turkey was born on a factory farm—and, had all gone to plan, she would have been slaughtered for someone’s Thanksgiving dinner. Tutu’s life turned around when a New York City artist rescued her with the intent of sharing Tutu’s story through art. While the project never took flight (the artist’s school wouldn’t let her keep a bird in her studio), Tutu made it to Sanctuary, where she has put her dark origins behind her and blossomed into one of the friendliest members of...

Adopt a Flock Adopt a Flock! Each member of our turkey flock has a unique personality. While Sandy is sweet and loves to cuddle, Ferris prefers to strut with sass around his barn. Venus–like her tennis-playing namesake—is the powerhouse of her flock; Jackie is regal and commanding of respect; and Tutu charms everyone she meets! Each Farm Sanctuary Adopt a Turkey sponsorship arrives with: a digital certificate with photo and details about the adopted turkeyan optional print certificate with...

Sandy “The Sweetheart” We met Sandy at an evacuation site during the devastating 2016 Sand Fire in California. While the young turkey’s guardian had saved her the year before from Thanksgiving slaughter, Sandy still needed help. She had a painful foot infection, along with feather loss and wounds from the males in her enclosure. To give Sandy the best chance at a healthy life, the guardian relinquished her to Farm Sanctuary. Once in our care, Sandy made a full recovery and is now a bright,...

Jackie "The Queen" Jackie was one of 11 baby turkeys left anonymously at our New York Sanctuary in 2015. She came to us debeaked—a telltale sign that she’d survived a factory farm. In these overcrowded facilities, turkeys lack proper enrichment and space, and often peck at one another in frustration—a concern to producers because it damages flesh and decreases profits. Since wounded turkeys won’t sell, workers sear parts of their sensitive beaks. Understandably, Jackie was timid and sick when...