Yes, the annual presidential pardon draws some attention to the usual fate of farmed turkeys, but when it comes to raising awareness of the suffering birds endure on factory farms, the pardon barely scratches the surface. 

The problem is that the pardon is little more than a photo opp, ultimately making light of a holiday for which approximately 46 million turkeys are killed—and not guaranteeing sanctuary for even the birds who are pardoned.

In fact, you can trace the roots of the presidential pardon back to poultry industry lobbyists, and the National Turkey Federation (NTF)—self-described as “the national advocate for America’s turkey industry”—remains involved to this day. Each year, the chairman of the NTF chooses a farm from their state to raise the turkeys to be pardoned.

Making it even more apparent that this event encourages the consumption of turkeys, the names chosen for the pardoned birds are most often food-related. In 2017, the two turkeys were callously named “Drumstick” and “Wishbone.”

As they watch the pardon with hope in their hearts, many members of the public likely wish that the pardoned birds would live in a sanctuary after they leave the nation’s capital. 

Historically, this has not been the case.

Most of the presidentially pardoned turkeys have been sent to farms and petting zoos where their care may be neglected or to universities where they are subjected to research—places where they often suffer unseen by the public. 

To our knowledge, no pardoned turkey has ever gone on to a sanctuary—but you can help us change that.

Want to do even more? 

Choose a turkey-free Thanksgiving feast this year to make compassion your holiday centerpiece. 

Then, join thousands by becoming a part of our Adopt a Turkey Project. Your one-time gift will sponsor the care of one of our rescued turkeys at Farm Sanctuary and help us advocate for countless others.