Farm Sanctuary was alerted to two major cases of farm animal cruelty, involving over 130 young turkeys and chickens. We are writing today to ask for your help with emergency donations to fund these two rescues at our Emergency Rescue & Rehabilitation Center and provide lifelong shelter to these needy chicks!

Over 100 live chicks were shipped in a box (it is legal to ship live animals via postal mail in the U.S.), and at least half of the helpless chicks had died upon arrival at a Pennsylvania post office, from suffocation or lack of care. A caring postal worker refused to return the surviving chicks "back to sender," for fear that they would die en route as well, and contacted the local SPCA. As they do not have facilities for farm animals, the SPCA contacted Farm Sanctuary and we brought the surviving 55 chicks to our Emergency Rescue & Rehabilitation Center at the New York Shelter.

We then received another call regarding 80 turkey chicks who were being sold on the Internet - likely to be raised for Thanksgiving dinners this fall.

Farm Sanctuary caregivers bring the young turkeys to safety at our hospital for intensive care and rehabilitation.

The turkeys were severely neglected and in extremely poor health. Compassionate citizens convinced the seller to surrender the sick birds and allow them to come to shelter. Farm Sanctuary then took the entire group in at our Emergency Rescue & Rehabilitation Center. The chicks are all underweight and suffering from feather loss. Several of the chicks have enlarged joints and curled toes, signs of malnourishment. They are being treated with vitamins and electrolytes, and our caregivers are closely monitoring their leg and foot disabilities. It is likely that some will require surgery.

EMERGENCY RESCUE FUNDING NEEDED!
Donations are needed now to fund veterinary costs, including joint and toe surgeries, vitamin and electrolytes for malnourished birds; feed; bedding; and transportation to adoptive homes across the U.S. Please make a gift today to help provide these battered birds the sanctuary life they deserve, free from harm forever. To donate now, call 607-583-2225 ext. 221, click here for our online contribution form, or mail checks to: Farm Sanctuary, PO Box 150, Watkins Glen, NY 14891.

HOMES NEEDED!
Our Emergency Rescue & Rehabilitation Center provides the necessary quarantine space to take in animals in immediate need, but permanent adoptive homes are urgently needed. Please contact us at shelter@farmsanctuary.org or call 607-583-2225 x223 if you are able to provide a loving home for turkeys or chickens.

Thank you for responding when farm animals need it most!

Marino

One male turkey chick is suffering from a severe eye injury. Upon his arrival, veterinarians diagnosed him with an eye infection and began antibiotic treatment. Monitoring his condition closely, our caregivers observed that the infection was rapidly getting worse and his beak was becoming increasingly deformed. He was then diagnosed with facial paralysis, resulting from extreme trauma to the face. The nerve damage is causing his beak to cross over his face, and preventing him from opening his outer eyelid. He is now receiving treatments to encourage nerve regeneration, in an effort to stop facial organ damage. He is eating and drinking, and in stable condition.

Please help care for Marino!

Farm Sanctuary is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to ending farm animal abuse through direct rescue and protection campaigns. For more information about Farm Sanctuary programs, please visit farmsanctuary.org or call 607-583-2225. To become a Farm Sanctuary member or to make a donation today using our secure online form, please click here. For updates on previous action alerts, please click here.

Please forward and distribute widely! Thank you
Farm Sanctuary, P.O. Box 150 Watkins Glen, NY 14891.