Rescue & Adoptions

Adoption Stories

Dandelion and Sage

Dandelion and Sage were just one month old when they arrived at Farm Sanctuary. Rescued from a typical, modern-day turkey farm, the two young birds had been raised in intensive confinement with thousands of other turkeys. They had also been painfully debeaked, as are all factory-farmed turkeys, to prevent the stressed and overcrowded birds from pecking each other. Before arriving at our New York Shelter, Dandelion and Sage lived an undeniably miserable life and faced a bleak and seemingly unavoidable future. Genetically engineered to reach slaughter weight very quickly, they had only a few short weeks left to live, before they were shipped off to the processing plant to become somebody's dinner.

Once at Farm Sanctuary, however, these two lucky turkeys were able to live happy, healthy lives, and were no longer afraid of the future. During their time here, they were treated as sensitive individuals, not commodities, and cared for with compassion and concern. Then, after spending several happy and fulfilling months at our New York Shelter, Dandellion and Sage, as well as two other turkeys rescued alongside them, found permanent, loving homes outside the sanctuary.

Dandelion and Sage were adopted by Michele and Charles Nash, a kind couple who live on six, beautiful wooded acres in Voluntown, Connecticut. The Nash's were overjoyed when the Farm Sanctuary Adopt-a-Turkey Project van pulled up in front of their house just days before Thanksgiving. Already adoptive parents to six chickens, two rabbits, and three cats, they were looking forward to welcoming two new family members.

Peeking out of the back door of the van to catch a glimpse of the Nash's home, Dandelion and Sage were also very eager to meet their new family. Both turkeys happily allowed themselves to be scooped out of the van and carried to the Nash's barn. Once inside, they explored their new home with interest, excitedly investigating each corner of the structure.

Dandelion and Sage forgot all about exploring, however, when they laid eyes on a huge feast of lettuce, cranberries, winter squash, and pumpkin pie, brought from Farm Sanctuary to help welcome them to their new home. Between mouthfuls of delicious food, the two turkeys softly gobbled thanks to their new caretakers. After dinner, they sleepily settled into the straw for the night, surrounded by their new chicken friends. Thankfully, Dandelion and Sage have many peaceful nights like this still ahead of them, and peaceful days as well. They will live out the rest of their lives in safety and comfort at the Nash's farm, grateful for the simple gifts of security, affection, and friendship.

We still have many animals in need of permanent, loving homes! If you are able to provide a home for a turkey, or any other animal, please contact our placement coordinator at 607-583-2276 ext. 223 or write to shelter@farmsanctuary.org.