480 Ducks Are Now Up for Adoption in California as Community Rallies to Save Them
Nearly 500 ducks are looking for new homes after being surrendered by an overwhelmed animal sanctuary in Riverside County, California. Riverside County Animal Services removed approximately 480 ducks from an Anza-area sanctuary after determining the property could no longer safely care for its massive and growing flock. The community response has been immediate and absolutely adorable.
The scale of this duck rescue is unlike anything Riverside County Animal Services has handled in recent memory. Authorities said the situation developed over time as the sanctuary continued taking in ducks beyond its capacity, with conditions reportedly becoming difficult to maintain.
Riverside County Animal Services Pulls Off Its Biggest Rescue in a Decade
An April 14 news release from the department said officials had been aware of the property owner’s intent to maintain an animal sanctuary for the birds, but recent investigations revealed the need for action due to improper husbandry. The property owner cooperated with the department to coordinate placement of the animals.
“This is the largest intake of any species for the Riverside County Department of Animal Services in probably the past decade,” said Veronica Perez, a spokesperson with Riverside County Animal Services, per KABC.
Why the Ducks Needed a Fresh Start
Before the operation, the department coordinated with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to test a sample of the animals for infectious diseases — and the results all came back negative. Still, the overcrowding was taking a real toll on the flock’s health.
“Overcrowding can contribute to stress and decreased immune function,” said RCDAS Chief Veterinarian Dr. Itzel Vizcarra. “Inadequate nutrition, particularly vitamin A deficiency, can impair the lining of the digestive tract, predisposing birds to inflammation and secondary illness.”
Limited assessments showed the animals did not receive adequate caretaking, according to the department. The primary recommendation for recovery and prevention is improved caretaking, including appropriate stocking density, sanitation practices and a balanced, nutritionally complete diet.
Riverside County Waives All Adoption Fees for 480 Ducks
County officials launched an emergency effort to place the ducks into new homes, waiving all adoption fees and making the birds available to the public, rescue organizations and animal care groups. The ducks were made available on a first-come, first-served basis starting April 15 at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus. Local shelters are simply not equipped to house that many waterfowl long-term.
“This large-scale operation requires intense coordination across our department, and our main priority is the safe transport and intake of these animals today,” said RCDAS Assistant Director Dr. Kimberly Youngberg. “We cannot provide long-term shelter care for this number of animals so it’s important we work quickly to find placement with rescues, adopters and organizations willing to assist this week.”
One Couple Adopted 20 Ducks for Their Farm
Enter Daniel Markichevich and his fiancé, Savannah Burgardt, who showed up at the shelter with a plan: take home 20 ducks for their San Jacinto property. Markichevich recently completed construction on a pond in their backyard, so the timing could not have been more perfect. The couple is giving these birds exactly the kind of life they deserve.
“We have a 3.5-acre farm, so they will just go right into the area and enjoy, and we’ll get out there and look at them, eat their eggs and have a whole full life for them,” said Markichevich.
And Burgardt? Completely smitten. “I love them. They’re adorable. I wish I could take more,” she said.
How to Adopt One of Riverside County’s Rescue Ducks
Perez noted that ducks are social creatures who do best with company. “Ducks are actually flock animals and they want to be around companions,” she said.
Rescue organizations and individuals interested in adopting can contact the department by emailing shelterinfo@rivco.org. Appropriate carriers are required for transport from the shelter and must be supplied by adopters or rescues. Adopters must also check with their city or local jurisdiction regarding ordinance restrictions on the number of waterfowl permitted per household, as regulations vary by location.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
