Nearly 500 Ducks Need Homes After Riverside County Sanctuary Rescue Due to Overcrowding Concerns
Riverside County officials removed approximately 480 ducks from an overwhelmed animal sanctuary and are now urgently seeking adopters willing to take the birds home.
The ducks were taken from an Anza-area property in unincorporated Riverside County after concerns about overcrowding and inadequate conditions, according to the Riverside County Department of Animal Services. The property owner surrendered the birds and is cooperating with the department.
“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.
The department said it had been aware of the property owner’s intent to maintain an animal sanctuary, but the sanctuary continued to take in ducks beyond its capacity. As the number of birds increased, conditions reportedly became difficult to maintain, prompting county intervention.
Recent investigations revealed the need for action due to improper husbandry, according to a department news release. Animal control officers inspected the property leading up to the large-scale operation as part of an ongoing investigation.
Health Tests Came Back Negative for the Ducks
Before the removal operation, the department coordinated with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to test a sample of the animals for zoonotic infectious diseases. All results came back negative. However, limited assessments showed the animals did not receive adequate caretaking.
“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.”
The department said these conditions are commonly seen in birds kept in overcrowded or under-sourced environments. The primary recommendation for recovery is improved caretaking, including appropriate stocking density, sanitation practices and a balanced nutritionally complete diet.
Adoption Fees Are Being Waived in Emergency Push
County officials launched an emergency effort to place the ducks into new homes. Adoption fees were waived, and the birds were made available to the public, rescue organizations and animal care groups at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus.
“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,” said RCDAS Assistant Director Dr. Kimberly Youngberg.
Officials noted that ducks are flock animals and want to be around companions, which makes group adoptions particularly beneficial.
Some community members were already stepping up. Daniel Markichevich and his fiancée, Savannah Burgardt, were at the shelter on Wednesday, planning to adopt 20 ducks for their San Jacinto property.
“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, who recently completed construction on a pond in their backyard.
“I love them. They’re adorable. I wish I could take more,” Burgardt said.
How to Adopt a Duck
The ducks were made available for adoption on April 15 at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus on a first-come, first-served basis with all fees waived.
Rescue organizations and individuals interested in adopting can contact the department by emailing shelterinfo@rivco.org.
Adopters must supply appropriate carriers for transport from the shelter and check with their city or local jurisdiction regarding ordinance restrictions on the number of waterfowl permitted per household.
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