In the photo below, Clyde is shown watching Farm Sanctuary’s Co-founders, Gene Baur and Lorri Houston, as they prepared a vegan holiday roast. 

In those early days of Farm Sanctuary, we launched our Celebration for the Turkeys, a compassionate holiday event, and our Adopt a Turkey Project, which inspires people to sponsor the care of a rescued bird. And both of these beloved traditions continue to this day!

Along the way, the turkeys we have rescued have helped change countless hearts and minds, prompting compassionate living and helping us bring about systemic change, too.

Meet four of the lovable turkeys who have called Farm Sanctuary home and learn their stories below. 

Then, join us at Celebration for the Turkeys in NY (November 7) or CA (November 21), or make an impact for our rescued residents at AdoptaTurkey.org! 

Ferris was saved from a feed store, along with a fellow turkey named Faye, who was very sick. These stores that sell food for farm animals sometimes also sell live birds for small farms and backyard flocks.

For many birds in this situation, illness would mean being killed or left to die, but the store owners decided to let Faye go to Second Chance Chickens Microsanctuary. And they were persuaded to surrender Ferris, too.

At Farm Sanctuary, we welcomed both birds to their forever home, where Ferris blossomed into a confident bird who strutted around the sanctuary, loved his favorite snacks, and soon became inseparable from Erol, his chicken companion, pictured above.

Turpentine was raised on a small farm, but would have been slaughtered just like over 200 million other turkeys in the U.S. each year. 

Fortunately, a Farm Sanctuary supporter lived next door to the farm where Turpentine was being raised, and the two bonded deeply. When she called Turpentine’s name, the lovable and enthusiastic bird came running to greet his human friend.

The farmer agreed to let her take Turpentine into her care, but this outgoing turkey later found his permanent home at Farm Sanctuary, where he would fit in with a big flock of feathered friends. And make himself at home, Turpentine did. He greeted everyone who visited the sanctuary and loved posing for the camera. Turpentine is remembered as a constant ambassador for turkeys, having won countless hearts with his charisma and endearing personality.

Lizzie was raised on a farm described as “humane,” but behind the marketing claims was suffering. In all, 177 severely neglected animals—found ill, starving, and covered with parasites—were removed from the property by local rescuers.

When she arrived at Farm Sanctuary, Lizzie’s legs were splayed out, a condition that still affects her mobility. But thanks to attentive care for her arthritis, Lizzie is able to get around her home.

Now in her golden years, Lizzie has slowed down and faces some health issues. But rescue doesn’t end when an animal comes through our doors; we meet the lifelong needs of our animal residents, helping them be happy and comfortable for as long as we can. 

Each year, 46 million turkeys are killed for the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States, and Thelma would have been one of the birds to face this cruel fate. Thankfully, a kind rescuer saved her life, but Thelma soon found that life threatened once again, as wildfires raged near her home.

In 2018, we welcomed Thelma to her forever haven at Farm Sanctuary, where she lived happily for eight years, alongside her feathered friend, Serena. Thelma, who was lovingly known as one of the sweetest birds in our flock, passed away recently. She will always be loved and remembered as we continue to tell her story and advocate for turkeys like her. 

Thelma was often one of the beloved spokesturkeys featured in our Adopt a Turkey Project, inspiring many to join this compassionate tradition.