Nearly 500 ducks taken in Tuesday during a Riverside County Department of Animal Services investigation will be up for adoption starting Wednesday.
The waterfowl were surrendered Tuesday by a resident under investigation for maintaining an illegal sanctuary where overcrowding had become a significant problem, raising concerns about the ducks’ welfare, according to the Department of Animal Services.
The agency said the property is in Anza and it had been visited by animal control officers previously, resulting in confirmation that the owner had intended “to maintain an animal sanctuary for the birds.”
However, the site and upkeep were determined to be inadequate, officials said, adding that the property owner concluded officers’ findings were correct and agreed to voluntarily give up the 480 ducks.
“Our main priority is the safe transport and intake of these animals,” Department of Animals Services Assistant Director Kimberly Youngberg said. “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.”
The ducks have undergone examinations in a joint effort by animal services and the California Department of Food & Agriculture. There were no indications of diseases.
“Limited assessments show the animals did not receive adequate caretaking,” according to the Department of Animal Services.
Chief Veterinarian Dr. Itzel Vizcarra said overcrowding often leads to “stress and decreased immune function” among species.
“Inadequate nutrition, particularly vitamin A deficiency, can impair the lining of the digestive tract, predisposing birds to inflammation and secondary illness,” Vizcarra said.
All of the ducks have been placed at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, which will open at 11 a.m. Wednesday. The campus is located at 581 S. Grand Ave. in San Jacinto.
Individuals and nonprofit rescue groups were invited to visit, see the ducks and start the adoption process — immediately. All adoption fees will be waived. Prior to taking any ducks home, however, residents were encouraged to double check that no municipal or other regulations might be violated by keeping ducks.
Inquiries about the fowl can be emailed to shelterinfo@rivco.org.