Samuel

Gotcha Date: 11/01/2016

Samuel is our oldest turkey guy rescued with his Brother, Duncan, on World Vegan Day in 2016.  Sadly, Duncan passed away in 2019.

Samuel and Duncan were born in the Spring of 2016 ~ their lives were going to be brutally ended in a celebration of thanks and gratitude.

Thankfully this barbaric act proved to be too difficult for those who raised them ~ gratefully they surrendered them into sanctuary to live an amazing life free from harm and an early death.

Samuel lives in the aviary,  Patty’s Place where the bigger male birds live. Patty’s Place is currently home to four turkeys (Samuel, Clark,
Nigel & Johnny Cash), one rooster (Rumi) and a peacock (Indigo).
The 5th smaller turkey (Prajna) & one of the other roosters (Constantine) currently reside in with the hens.

Extending our circle of compassion to include all beings is the foundation of our work . If you can, please donate so that we can continue this amazing work ❤

Or even better, sponsor Samuel monthly for just $15 to ensure he gets all his favorites ~ fresh greens, blueberries, grapes, black oiled sunflower seeds and delicious melons plus all his other needs.  Thank you! 

Samuel in all his glory!
Samuel with Indigo in all his glory!
Samuel with Lewis, Clark & Nigel
Meet Samuel (back) and Duncan (front). The boys were rescued on World Vegan Day, November 1, 2016 from a backyard breeder raising them to be sold for Thanksgiving slaughter.  It took much coaxing to convince the breeder to allow them to enter forever sanctuary without payment ~ we do not buy animals. In 2016 they were honored at our ThanksLoving Celebration of life ~ we made them delicious foods served on platters and promised to make the rest of their life the best of their life.
Samuel & Duncan on their FREEDOM RIDE!
Samuel & Duncan on their 1st day in sanctuary
Samuel with Clark, Nigel, Johnny Cash & one rooster Rumi in Patty’s Place. Indigo the peacock is also in with them but not shown.
Samuel with Clark, Nigel, Johnny Cash & one rooster Rumi in Patty’s Place
Samuel is happy to have Lewis & Clark in his flock! Sharing a meal with them.
Samuel hanging out with Manny & Sojo, the free roaming Guinea Pigs (sadly they have all passed away).
Why yes I am beautiful! Samuel with Nigel.
Samuel with Nigel
Samuel with Nigel
Samuel & Duncan
Every ThankLiving, the turkeys get an extra special feast!
2021 ThanksLiving Feast for the turkeys, Samuel, Nigel & Clark pictured.
Samuel & Duncan were so close to being killed for an annual meal. Thankfully we were able to convince the backyard breeder to allow them to enter sanctuary.
This is the aviary, Patty’s Place named after the late Patty~Roo where most of the big male birds live.
Moving to Patty’s Place
Samuel & Duncan 1st day in Patty’s Place
I wonder what these two are discussing! So glad Sanuel & Imdigo get along so great and are always up to something!
Samuel had been heartbroken since Duncan passed, so was very excited to have some friends, Lewis & Clark!
Samuel & Duncan are Someone not something!
On November 1, 2016 a rare opportunity presented itself ~ a local, backyard farmer raising chicks for their eggs surrendered two male turkeys to Santuario de Karuna.  They were to be sold for Thanksgiving ~ they were born to be killed. Ironically, November 1st is World Vegan Day ~ serendipitous to say the least that these two precious beings would transition from Commodity to Compassion and enter sanctuary on this special day. We made a promise to make the rest of their lives the best of their lives. We prepared special meals for them on ThanksLoving Day and everyday.  We created a large aviary for them to keep them safe, they received the best veterinarian care, they have felt the sunlight on their backs and could spread their wings and fly, they knew only love and have many human and animal friends ~ they have never felt fear and have only experienced positive, human interactions ~
They are Someone ~ not something!❤️
Samuel with his buddy Indigo 🦃🦚🥰

Many people have never met a turkey in person, which can make it difficult to understand and appreciate these remarkable birds.
Those of us who have been fortunate enough to meet turkeys at a sanctuary would probably tell you, though, how smart, curious, and social these animals are, and how fun it is to get to know them.
In fact, just like the beloved dogs and cats with whom we share our homes, turkeys are individuals with unique personalities.
When given the freedom to just be turkeys, these playful birds enjoy building nests, roosting in trees, foraging for food, and taking dust baths. Turkeys enjoy socializing, and can even recognize another turkey by voice.
But on factory farms, turkeys endure miserable conditions, never stepping foot outside. They are unable to engage in most natural behaviors and are bred to grow so unnaturally large that they often suffer from painful and chronic health problems and are unable to mate naturally.
As a COK, Compassion Over Killing,  investigation exposed, at turkey breeding factory farms female birds endure being grabbed by the legs, shackled upside down and artificially inseminated.
In 2015, an investigation by COK at a Foster Farms turkey hatchery revealed turkeys thrown around due to extreme processing speeds, baby birds enduring having their beaks or toes burned off without anesthesia, and sick and injured birds ground up alive or gassed to death.
Each year in the U.S., 300 million turkeys are slaughtered for food —  more than 45 million for Thanksgiving alone.
The good news that makes us — and turkeys — thankful is that it’s easier than ever before to choose compassion and leave animals off our plates during the holidays and year-round.
Get started today at TryVeg.com.