Troubled SoCal animal sanctuary shutters — leaving…
Nearly 500 geese are wanting for a new place to waddle after the proprietor of a troubled Southern California rescue sanctuary surrendered the birds following allegations of overcrowding and improper care — with local animal activists squawking that the scenario is more “fowl” than the public is aware of, and that officers ought to have acted sooner.
The Riverside County Department of Animal Services is presently scrambling to discover properties for the 480 or so webbed waifs given up by Howard Berkowitz, founder of “The Duck Sanctuary” in Anza — after company workers reported extreme overcrowding at the positioning.
In a assertion, the division wrote that that they had “been aware of the property owner’s intent to maintain an animal sanctuary for the birds, but recent investigations revealed the need for action to remove the animals from the property due to improper husbandry.”
Nearly 500 geese immediately need properties as rescue sanctuary, Howard Berkowitz “the ducks sanctuary” closes. Instagram/@riversidecountyanimalservices
Authorities say the scenario had deteriorated to the purpose where animals weren’t receiving sufficient care — prompting intervention and a determined push to rehome the birds.
But as the county scrambles to place a whole bunch of geese, backlash has exploded across social media — with activists claiming that too many warning indicators had been ignored.
In a Facebook video, rescue group The Shore Sanctuary blasted the scenario, saying it had repeatedly raised alarms about Berkowitz.
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“What was publicly presented as a ‘sanctuary’ was, in reality, a site of prolonged hoarding, neglect, and immense suffering,” the group wrote in a Facebook post yesterday. The group alleged that donations continued pouring in despite mounting considerations — and argued the mass give up was the inevitable end result of unchecked growth.
Yesterday, the California animal rescue nonprofit took in 11 of the geese.
The division is actively coordinating care and consumption for the animals at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus where they are going to be out there for rescue and adoption on Wednesday, April 15. Instagram/@riversidecountyanimalservices
Similar criticism flooded social media posts tied to the case, with commenters accusing the operator of operating a so-called sanctuary that spiraled out of control. Some claimed the scenario concerned improper breeding, overcrowding and reliance on public donations without sufficient infrastructure.
“Very sad situation that we were duped into believing was a good thing for those ducks,” one particular person commented online. “I even donated to him.”
Officials confirmed the geese had been eliminated during an investigation into situations at the property, which had already raised pink flags.
Despite the chaos, there was one piece of good news: testing discovered no infectious ailments among the birds, easing considerations about a wider outbreak.
Berkowitz reportedly still has about 500 geese in his possession. The beleaguered birdman told LAist that the online quack flack led to him closing his sanctuary — and planning a transfer to Northern California.
He is said to be in the center of securing a “160-acre property” — where he’ll home the a whole bunch of remaining birds.
Meanwhile, the rescued flock is presently housed at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, where officers are offering free adoptions in a race against time to clear space.
Testing discovered no infectious ailments among the birds, easing considerations about a wider outbreak. Instagram/@riversidecountyanimalservices
But with a whole bunch still needing properties, animal advocates warn the fallout is much from over.
“This is not rescue,” the Shore Sanctuary added, after having “personally taken in numerous birds from this property” over the past couple of years. “This is not a sanctuary. Howard Berkowitz must be held accountable for the thousands of lives he has failed. Shame on Riverside Animal Control for their vile handling of this seizure.”
The Post has reached out to county officers for remark.
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