""After that last story ran, people just read the headline and saw our name," Soderman said. "The phone started ringing off the hook. I can't even pick it up anymore, we're completely at capacity." The nonprofit sanctuary, which Soderman has operated since 2015, currently houses more than 100 birds - from chickens and ducks to injured pigeons and turkeys - cared"
"Despite the steady stream of calls, she said few of those reaching out offer to help cover the costs of feed, shelter or veterinary care. "Maybe 2% of people who contact us offer to donate," Soderman said. "I don't know how they think we survive, nobody's paying us to do this." In August, Soderman said many people purchased chicks without realizing that half would grow into roosters, which are banned in most residential areas."
"Soderman said she's also receiving calls about injured or neglected birds from people hoping to surrender them instead of paying for veterinary treatment. "I just had someone call about a bird with a broken leg that's been suffering for weeks," she said. "They wanted me to come pick it up so they didn't have to deal with it. That's not rescue - that's neglect.""
Sanctuaries are receiving a persistent influx of calls from residents seeking to surrender roosters, geese and aging hens, overwhelming capacity. Sonoma Chicks Rescue and Sanctuary now houses more than 100 birds and cannot accept more despite daily pleas. Very few callers offer donations to cover feed, shelter or veterinary care; roughly 2% offer financial help. Many people purchased chicks without anticipating roosters, and some owners seek to surrender injured or neglected birds rather than pay for veterinary treatment. The pattern of impulse purchases and abandonment is mirrored at other local sanctuaries, increasing strain on limited resources.
Read at The Mercury News
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