What's All The Turkey Talk?

By: Ashley Rafferty, Marketing and Communications

We receive all types of animals at our shelter in Largo, but when our drivers received a call about a stray turkey...a big friendly bird was not what they were expecting! 

"Turkey Tom", named by staff, enjoyed being pet and giving hugs. Yes, hugs! 

Apparently, it isn't so uncommon as we learned from Facebook followers comments & photos and internet articles. www.BlastingNews.com writes, "Turkey hugs: It's actually a thing! People are... taking notice of their unique personalities. One thing they seem to have in common is an ability to bond, show affection and yes, enjoy a little snuggle now and then."

We originally released the story and video below on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/SPCATampaBay/) on May 2,2019 and word quickly spread about our feathered friend.   

Fox News 13- Tampa Bay picked up the story and featured the Facebook video on the news. Calls began flooding our shelter phone with people wanting to give our good boy a home!  

Turkey Tom was adopted the same day and is currently loving life on his new farm with with goat siblings - who were also adopted from SPCA Tampa Bay. We're told his favorite things are getting pet on the back of his neck and lounging in the trees above the hen house. 

Congratulations on your new home, Tom!

BlastingNews article reference: https://us.blastingnews.com/lifestyle/2017/06/turkey-hugs-its-actually-a-thing-001755297.html