The Majestic Monthly

WATERFOWL NEWS FLOWN IN FRESH OFF THE PRESS

Issue 2: February 2005

In This Issue...

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Easter Campaign

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Liv's Rehabilitation

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A Ducky to Kentucky

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Aflac rescued from Marina

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Stop Easter Cruelties

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Reader Poll #2
 

Stop Easter Cruelties

Rabbits, Chicks and Ducklings are a lifelong commitment. Sadly, most of these animals face futures not as happy pets, but as unwanted or neglected animals. Every year at Easter time, those cute, fluffy, furry animals associated with spring—chicks, ducklings and rabbits—experience the onslaught of consumer demand and are bought as toys for children or used as "props" in portrait studios.

They may be dumped in the woods with the thought that they can "revert to being wild," which they cannot, or given up and often euthanized at an animal shelter.

These domesticated species cannot fend for themselves and will die if released into the wild. Why do these once-loved animals end up this way? It's hard work taking care of any animal, and these animals need special care. They can carry salmonella and infect the humans who handle them. And to most people, when baby animals grow up they're no longer cute.

This Easter, instead of giving a live animal, consider giving a stuffed animal—they're cuddly, cute, and easy to care for. Children lose interest quickly, and "Easter animals" may live ten years or longer. When children are no longer interested in their new animal "toy" it is the animal who pays.

There is a right time to bring a pet into the family. When your family is ready to make a lifelong commitment to a pet, go to the local animal shelter, where the staff can help you find an animal who is suited to your household.

Remember, an animal is a lifetime commitment, not a holiday toy to be bought as a gift and momentarily enjoyed. When you are tempted to make a present of a living Easter bunny, duckling, or chick, remember these facts:

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Baby animals grow up quickly to be adults who may not be so appealing to a child.

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All animals require a serious commitment of time and energy—they need daily interaction and playtime with people, food, water, exercise, attention, and regular veterinary care.

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Chickens, ducks, and rabbits need special care.

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Chickens, ducks, and rabbits are among the species that can transmit salmonella.

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Baby animals can be accidentally killed or permanently injured if children (or adults) handle them incorrectly.

Article Copyright © 2001 The Humane Society of the United States. www.hsus.org.

Reader Poll #2
Question: Should ducklings be hatched out in schools for educational purposes?
Yes
No
Unsure

Voting Has Closed.
Please see next issue for results.

Results of Reader Poll #1

Do you think Sonoma Foie Gras (California's lone foie gras producer) will find a way to continue to produce and sell foie gras after 2012?
 

Yes  75%
No 0%
Unsure  25%
   
Contact Us
Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary
17 Barker Road
Lebanon, CT 06249
directorATmajesticwaterfowl.org
 

Our Newsletter

The Majestic Monthly is published 12 times per year. Back issues can be obtained online from our Newsletter Archives.

 

Ducklings, Goslings, and Bunnies . . . Oh my!

With Easter coming up fast, we needed a resource of information to help us with our campaign against the frivolous purchasing of ducklings and goslings. We turned to our neighbors at the House Rabbit Connection in Massachusetts for some assistance with our Easter campaign.

The HRC (www.tagyerit.com/hopline) faces a similar dilemma as the Easter holiday approaches. We both see domesticated animals abandoned in the weeks after the holiday novelty wears off.

The HRC graciously shared useful information and contacts to increase our outreach prior to the filling of Easter baskets this year. We will be releasing information to the newspapers, radios and have been invited to share space with the HRC at an informational booth at Petco on February 19th (11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.) in Manchester, CT.

We look forward to future Easter endeavors with our MA friends at the HRC and thank them for their assistance in getting us moving in the right direction.


Tub Therapy for Liv

We rescued Liv off of Spaulding Pond in Norwich, Connecticut last November. Liv came to us with a disturbing limp. We separated her from the other ducks to ensure that she would have ample time to heal without any interference from the others.

She went for a complimentary visit at All Friends Animal Hospital, but no swelling, breaks, or areas of discomfort were found during her examination. After many more weeks of R&R, it became apparent that Liv was going to need an x-ray to see if perhaps she was suffering from a dislocated hip joint.

Liv is one of ten rescues from Spaulding Pond. Of these ten rescues, five suffer from permanent limps that are the result of serious injuries, including broken bones. The reason we have so many leg injuries from this one location is that one shore of Spaulding Pond is comprised of large, jagged rocks that are very dangerous. The ducks that are abandoned on this pond suffer serious injuries from slipping and falling while traversing this area.

Liv went for her free x ray in January and we were relieved to receive confirmation that she has no broken or dislocated bones. Having determined there is no risk of further injury and that her limp is most probably caused by a severe sprain or torn ligament, we began her therapy.

Three days a week, Liv is brought inside to a nice warm tub where she is encouraged to swim to work her leg muscles. She has responded very well to her therapy and is making marked improvements. She is also becoming more accustomed to human interaction and allowing us to pet her without protest.

Liv has a wonderful home lined up for her once she is on her feet again.


A Ducky to Kentucky

Pekins may not fly, but that’s just what our Fiona did! She flew south in January to her new home in Kentucky. Fiona was rescued from Spaulding Pond in Norwich, Connecticut and is now residing with a Pekin hen and local celebrity, Qwaka.

Qwaka was a duckling rescue from a Kentucky golf course who had never seen another duck until meeting Fiona. Calls and emails from her new family have confirmed that the two became fast friends and are enjoying each other's company. The two ducks spend their days foraging together in a fenced in backyard with a small pond. Their daily meals include lettuce, tomatoes, eggs, and Mazuri food, among other healthy snacks.


Aflac Rescued from Marina

An email came in two days before the January 22nd blizzard. A Pekin drake, dubbed Aflac, surviving at the Norwich, Connecticut marina, was in need of assistance. Pat Meyers, a local resident who had been feeding Aflac for some time, contacted us to help rescue Aflac before the blizzard hit.

With little time to act, we were not able to rescue Aflac before the storm, but fortunately Pat visited him during the blizzard to be sure he had food. She went out to him the morning after, and we were all relieved to find that he had braved the storm.

Pat was able to safely capture Aflac and went so far as to deliver him to his new home in Lebanon CT.  Thank you, Pat, for your perseverance and determination!


       Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee in connection with any guidance provided on this website. Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its use or for the violation of any federal, state or municipal law or regulation with which such guidance may conflict. Any guidance is general in nature. In addition, the assistance of a qualified professional should be enlisted to address any specific circumstances.
 

© Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary 2005