| Majestic
Waterfowl Sanctuary Opens!
The
Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary opened with a ten duck rescue at
Spaulding Pond in Mohegan Park. All nine of the Pekin ducks rescued
needed a one week round of antibiotics for their swollen and
callused feet. Three of them needed further veterinary assistance.
Liv has a disturbing limp and will be receiving complimentary x-rays
in January in an attempt to determine the source of her discomfort.
Phoebe, one of the hens, had a dual eye infection that required an
extra two weeks of antibiotics as well as a continuing twice daily
treatment of antibiotic eye ointment in both eyes. One of her eyes
is nearly healed, but the second eye still requires further care.
Phoebe’s life mate, Tiny Tim, was in the most need of care upon his
humane capture.
Tiny Tim
Tiny Tim had an extremely swollen
right ankle that rescuers feared was broken. He took residence for
two weeks in a foster home until we could arrange for free vet
care. When other vets turned away our call for assistance, Dr. Melgey of All Friends Animal Hospital in Norwich CT donated his
services to all of the rescued ducks free of charge. Tiny Tim came
for his complimentary care and it was determined that
his ankle was not broken, but badly infected. His surgery was a
success and in the weeks that followed, he no longer utilized his
leg for walking, but reverted back to using his webbed foot again.
Surgery and seven weeks of
antibiotic treatment have transformed Tiny Tim from a meek little
fellow that had trouble getting around and fending for himself, into
a self-sufficient, healthy duck that is quite capable of taking care
of himself and his mate, Phoebe.
Dodger
Dodger, a drake, was brought into
our sanctuary in excellent health. After a 48 hour quarantine
period, we had a good home lined up for Dodger, but we had no hens
to accompany him on his journey. Knowing that it would be stressful
for him to go to a new home alone, we reached out to our neighbors
at the SPCA for some assistance. With their
cooperation, we were able to place two of their Blue Swedish hens
with our Dodger into a beautiful new home.
The Muscovies: Jedina and
Phebes
Since
opening the Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary, two Muscovy ducks have
come into our care. Jedina was found in an industrial park in
Middletown CT and Phebes was dropped off near an office. Vets suspect that Phebes lost the tip of her upper
bill from frost bite last winter. She is a living demonstration of
what happens when people do not provide proper shelter from the
elements for their ducks.
Our Foster Caregiver, Leora, fell in love with the friendly girl, Jedina, and
decided to adopt her.
We located a fantastic home for
Phebes, and she is now residing with a one-legged fellow named Joey.
There will be no more cold nights for Phebes; going forward her
winter evenings will be spent in a heated barn with an indoor heated
pool. She has truly arrived!
Through Rain, Sleet, and
Snow . . .
We
owe a heartfelt thanks to Leora Schips. When we began, she was our
only rescue volunteer, and she drove all the way down from New Hampshire in a
snow storm on the first scheduled rescue date. The three hour drive
beginning at 6 a.m. would have been enough to make most people crave
a nap, but not Leora. Her energy, ideas and eager willingness was a
real inspiration to the team.
Leora provided care for many
of the ducks we rescued. Once in her care she worked with them to
get them accustomed to human interaction again. It was amazing to
see the difference in the ducks. The once terrified ducks that ran
and hid from us had transformed while in her care. They became
lovable and began eating out of our hands. She did an outstanding
job with them.
Leora fell in love with four of our
rescues and signed the adoption papers to keep Tiny Tim, Phoebe,
Jedina, and Miranda.
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