15/06/2026
We’re heartbroken to share that our sweet Tilly the turkey has sadly passed away 💔
Tilly was rescued last August after escaping a farm where turkeys were being unloaded for slaughter. A kind passerby kept her safe, and she came into our care shortly after.
Turkeys like Tilly, reared for commercial meat production, have been selectively bred to grow extremely large, very quickly. This places immense strain on their skeleton, heart and metabolism. Despite a specialist care plan, a careful diet and plenty of space to explore and exercise, Tilly's bones, joints and organs just weren't strong enough to support her weight, leading to pain and difficulty moving and foraging. Sadly, the damage caused by selective breeding is often irreversible, and the kindest decision was to let her go peacefully here at the sanctuary.
We are so sad that her time with us was so short, when she should have had many years of sanctuary life ahead. But we’re grateful she experienced grass beneath her feet, fresh air, and sunshine, and that she was able to pass peacefully, something turkeys in the farming system are denied.
Tilly was an ambassador for her species, and we’re deeply thankful to everyone who sponsored her care or met her and formed a connection during her time with us 💚
