Adopt a Turkey

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Adopt a Turkey

The time is now: Adopt a turkey!

Since 1986, Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt a Turkey Project has encouraged people to embrace a compassionate holiday by sponsoring a turkey instead of eating one.

The heartbreaking reality is that 46 million turkeys are slaughtered each Thanksgiving. You can embrace a kinder tradition.

We invite you to celebrate compassion by symbolically adopting a rescued turkey!

Here’s how:

  • Adopt a Turkey: Support the care of one rescued bird at Farm Sanctuary.
  • Adopt the Flock: Maximize your impact by sponsoring all of our spokesturkeys.

Your gift will help us provide daily, individualized care to your newly adopted friend and the hundreds of other rescued farm animals who call Farm Sanctuary home—while supporting our efforts to rescue more animals in need and fight the harms of factory farming.

In thanks, we’ll send all turkey adopters a beautiful adoption certificate (your choice of digital or print)! Adopt for yourself or as a gift to someone you’re thankful for this year.

Meet Our “Adoptable” Turkeys

Thelma
Rescued turkey Julie in pasture at Farm Sanctuary
Tutu turkey
Rescued turkey Serena near trees at Farm Sanctuary
Rescued turkey Zuzu in pasture at Farm Sanctuary

Thelma — The Tender Heart

Thelma may look like a turkey, but she’s a phoenix who’s risen from the ashes to start a new life—twice. Shortly after a rescuer saved Thelma from slaughter, wildfires threatened her new home, but we welcomed this sweet bird with open arms and open hearts. Thelma plops down immediately to get pets and even follows caregivers around the yard until they give her attention! She spends her days exploring her yard but nestles up to the snuggly Serena at night. This mellow gal enjoys music activities, treats, and chatting with her Cornish hen neighbors across the fence.

Julie — The Introvert

Julie was going to be killed for Thanksgiving at four months old, but after her flockmates died from predators and car accidents, the lonely bird followed her guardian around for companionship. Julie’s grief and search for a friend inspired a change of heart that saved her life and led her to sanctuary. Julie is finding her place in the flock. She’s shy but lights up during her time with caregivers, who gently help ease her anxiety. Julie’s safe place is a friendship that feels like home, and her companions, Freyja and Brunnhilde turkeys, join her to forage in the pasture.

Tutu - The Extrovert

Tutu was born on a factory farm, and she would’ve been one of 46 million turkeys slaughtered for Thanksgiving. But a New York City student rescued Tutu, planning to share the lovable bird’s story through art. The project never took flight because the artist’s school wouldn’t let her keep a bird, but instead, Tutu found her forever sanctuary. Today, Tutu has not only put her past behind her, but she’s blossomed into one of the friendliest members of our lively New York aviary. She knows all the latest gossip in the flock and loves to chat with friends.

Serena — The Snuggler

Serena was born on a small farm but endured the same cruel practices faced by factory-farmed turkeys, like having her beak and toes cut without anesthesia. She would’ve been killed for Thanksgiving if a local rescuer hadn’t saved Serena and her “sister,” Venus. When Venus passed away in 2021, Serena found comfort alongside the tender-hearted Thelma turkey. With time and healing, Serena has become a sweet and trusting soul who loves snuggling with her caregivers, playing with treat toys, and listening to her favorite tunes. A gentle gal, she brings laidback vibes to our Los Angeles aviary.

Zuzu — The Wild Child

Zuzu didn’t always have the care she needed and deserved. She was rescued from a heartbreaking hoarding case and taken in by a sanctuary. But this social bird, who thrives with friendship and fun, needed a new family when a predator attack killed her friend. So, we welcomed her to our New York flock, where this spicy gal fit right in. Zuzu is always on an adventure, reveling in the freedom of sanctuary as she runs zoomies around her friends. In the winter, she becomes a snow angel, overjoyed to dash and play through her own winter wonderland.

Thelma

Thelma — The Tender Heart

Thelma may look like a turkey, but she’s a phoenix who’s risen from the ashes to start a new life—twice. Shortly after a rescuer saved Thelma from slaughter, wildfires threatened her new home, but we welcomed this sweet bird with open arms and open hearts. Thelma plops down immediately to get pets and even follows caregivers around the yard until they give her attention! She spends her days exploring her yard but nestles up to the snuggly Serena at night. This mellow gal enjoys music activities, treats, and chatting with her Cornish hen neighbors across the fence.

Rescued turkey Julie in pasture at Farm Sanctuary

Julie — The Introvert

Julie was going to be killed for Thanksgiving at four months old, but after her flockmates died from predators and car accidents, the lonely bird followed her guardian around for companionship. Julie’s grief and search for a friend inspired a change of heart that saved her life and led her to sanctuary. Julie is finding her place in the flock. She’s shy but lights up during her time with caregivers, who gently help ease her anxiety. Julie’s safe place is a friendship that feels like home, and her companions, Freyja and Brunnhilde turkeys, join her to forage in the pasture.

Tutu turkey

Tutu - The Extrovert

Tutu was born on a factory farm, and she would’ve been one of 46 million turkeys slaughtered for Thanksgiving. But a New York City student rescued Tutu, planning to share the lovable bird’s story through art. The project never took flight because the artist’s school wouldn’t let her keep a bird, but instead, Tutu found her forever sanctuary. Today, Tutu has not only put her past behind her, but she’s blossomed into one of the friendliest members of our lively New York aviary. She knows all the latest gossip in the flock and loves to chat with friends.

Rescued turkey Serena near trees at Farm Sanctuary

Serena — The Snuggler

Serena was born on a small farm but endured the same cruel practices faced by factory-farmed turkeys, like having her beak and toes cut without anesthesia. She would’ve been killed for Thanksgiving if a local rescuer hadn’t saved Serena and her “sister,” Venus. When Venus passed away in 2021, Serena found comfort alongside the tender-hearted Thelma turkey. With time and healing, Serena has become a sweet and trusting soul who loves snuggling with her caregivers, playing with treat toys, and listening to her favorite tunes. A gentle gal, she brings laidback vibes to our Los Angeles aviary.

Rescued turkey Zuzu in pasture at Farm Sanctuary

Zuzu — The Wild Child

Zuzu didn’t always have the care she needed and deserved. She was rescued from a heartbreaking hoarding case and taken in by a sanctuary. But this social bird, who thrives with friendship and fun, needed a new family when a predator attack killed her friend. So, we welcomed her to our New York flock, where this spicy gal fit right in. Zuzu is always on an adventure, reveling in the freedom of sanctuary as she runs zoomies around her friends. In the winter, she becomes a snow angel, overjoyed to dash and play through her own winter wonderland.

The Flock

The Flock

Each of the rescued turkeys at Farm Sanctuary has a unique personality. Serena is laid-back and snuggly. Zuzu is adventurous and wild at heart. Thelma is always the thoughtful friend. Julie is shy and finding her place in the flock, while Tutu is the charismatic life of the party. Despite their differences, they are each a cherished member of our Farm Sanctuary family—and ambassadors for the 46 million turkeys lost to Thanksgiving each year.

Who is your turkey bestie?

2024 Quiz

Want to find your inner turkey?

Take our quick quiz to find out which of our Adopt a Turkey “spokesturkeys” is most like you!

COMING SOON….

FAQs

Each year, the United States slaughters 46 million turkeys for Thanksgiving. Most live in severe crowding and confinement on factory farms and endure painful mutilations, including debeaking and toe removal without anesthesia. These living, feeling individuals deserve so much better.

Your sponsorship gift helps provide for your turkey’s day-to-day needs — including food, straw bedding, and medical care. It also supports Farm Sanctuary’s rescue, education, and advocacy work on behalf of turkeys still entrapped within America’s farming system.

Turkeys have unlimited sponsors — it takes a lot to support our rescued animals’ lifelong, individualized care. And there’s plenty of love to go around!

Thank you for your compassion! Learn more about our Farm Animal Adoption Network (Farm Sanctuary’s external placement program).

These turkeys are permanent Farm Sanctuary residents! They were rescued from harm and receive daily, specialized care. They’ll spend the rest of their natural lives among their flocks.

We’ll send you a print or digital certificate (your choice!) featuring your new turkey friend. Your donation also grants you a one-year membership with Farm Sanctuary (and includes perks like Sanctuary magazine!). Click here to learn about year-round adoptions through our Adopt a Farm Animal Program.

If you’re having trouble placing an online order, we also accept phone orders at 1-855-666-3276 (FARM).

Thank you so much for adopting! Please call 1-855-666-FARM (3276) or email [email protected] to contact our shop team.

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Contact Us

For questions about your order, or to order by phone, customer service is available Monday – Friday from 8am to 6pm ET.

1-855-666-FARM (3276)