Gus the turkey has been spending Thanksgiving week much differently than the 46 million other unlucky gobblers slaughtered across the United States, as he trots through a sprawling animal sanctuary on the Colorado plains where staff stop every few steps to pet him, hug him, or even give him a peck on his red face after the very talkative tom was pardoned by the governor in 2023. An increasing number of farm animal sanctuaries across the country have started promoting an alternative version of Thanksgiving in which families adopt turkeys and donate money to their lifelong care, receiving photos, certificates, and sometimes one on one visits with the birds in return as they spare a few of the tens of millions of turkeys raised in what animal rights advocates say are inhumane factory farm conditions. At Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary in Erie, Colorado, a $25 donation comes with a certificate, photo, and either a virtual or in person visit. Since launching the program in 2022 executive director Kelly Nix says the number of sponsorships has doubled every year with 2025 on track to reach their $18,000 goal.
Farm Sanctuary in New York and California is believed to be the first to launch this type of turkey adoption program when they kicked it off in 1986. Co-founder Gene Baur says initially the public was confused about the program and about the concept of rescuing farm animals altogether. In the nearly four decades since, the sanctuary has rescued thousands of turkeys and in some years has received hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations. The sanctuary’s website features rescued turkeys along with their distinct personality traits to help donors connect with individual birds. The funds help extend outdoor pasture areas, feed and rescue more turkeys, and pay veterinary bills that sometimes cost thousands of dollars. These medical complications arise because factory farm breeding makes turkeys grow very big in very short periods of time. The program is about more than just turkeys or money, with an important educational factor teaching people about factory farm conditions. As Gene Baur says, just because something is a tradition doesn’t mean it needs to remain as a tradition when your food choices can either help you live healthy humane lives or do the opposite
