The doctor, his assistant Tommy Stubbins and his menagerie of animals (including the Pushmi-Pullyu) are sailing around in their ship, the Flounder, which is being chased by pirate Sam Scurvy. A turkey arrives to ask for their help. It seems that a giant boat race is taking place, and the winner will get Toots Turkey to eat for Thanksgiving. It's up to the doctor and his friends to save her, but Sam and his pirates have other ideas. They want to capture her to use as a hostage to get Dr. Dolittle to tell them the secret of talking to the animals.