Humane Long Island has just rescued two 3-month-old turkeys and a rabbit—now named Mayflower, Plymouth, and Autumn—from New York City live slaughter markets, securing their freedom just days before Thanksgiving — and the media is invited to meet them as they enjoy their own feast of pumpkin, cranberries, and vegan stuffing. The organization negotiated the animals’ release by offering vegan food in exchange for their lives, demonstrating a peaceful and cruelty-free alternative to traditional holiday practices.
The young turkeys are recovering from serious injuries and neglect inherent on factory farms. Both birds had the ends of their toes cut off — a standard practice on factory farms used to limit the effects of self-harm and cannibalism in overcrowded conditions — and arrived suffering from staph infections and open wounds. All three animals will be evaluated by a veterinarian and rehabilitated at Humane Long Island’s Riverhead sanctuary before being placed in reputable vegan sanctuaries where they will receive lifelong care.
“These turkeys are affectionate, inquisitive individuals who love their families and value their lives just as we do,” said John Di Leonardo, anthrozoologist and executive director of Humane Long Island. “This Thanksgiving, we encourage everyone to let turkeys live in peace by serving a savory vegan feast we can all be thankful for."
Humane Long Island notes that in nature, turkeys spend their days caring for their young, building nests, foraging for food, taking dust baths, and roosting in trees, and they can live for over 10 years. But turkeys raised for food are slaughtered within the first few months of their lives, often when they're still peeping.
Humane Long Island is hosting a vegan Thanksgiving fundraiser this Sunday, November 30th, where the public will have the opportunity to meet the turkeys at the Long Island Buddhist Meditation Center in Riverhead. Details can be found at this link: Thanksliving: A Compassionate Thanksgiving Celebration.