Current Press Releases

Ten Lucky Ducks Test New Waters at Farm Sanctuary

Birds Rescued from MSPCA Cruelty Case Find Happy Ending at Shelter in Watkins Glen, NY

Watkins Glen, NY - April 8, 2008 - Yesterday, Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection organization, welcomed 10 lucky ducks-rescued by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) in what was one of the largest surrenders carried out by the agency to date- to its 175-acre farm animal sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York. The ducks were removed from a Mendon, Massachusetts farm last November along with more than 600 other ducks and chickens being raised for meat.

According to the MSPCA, the birds, including the 10 female ducks adopted by Farm Sanctuary, were being raised illegally on a 30-acre farm on Providence Street in Mendon, where they were found living amid filth, waste and the corpses of other birds. The ducks and chickens, the MSPCA said, were also malnourished and many suffered from upper respiratory disease. The owner of the birds, said the Milford Building Commissioner, was allegedly raising the birds for sale to Chinese restaurants in Boston.

The ducks and chickens were surrendered by the owner, Jason Lin of Mendon, in November 2007 following allegations of animal cruelty and were taken to live at the MSPCA's Nevins Farm facility in Methuen, Massachusetts, where they convalesced and awaited adoption. The MSPCA said that charges against Lin-who plead "not guilty" to 10 counts of animal cruelty at his January arraignment in the Milford District Court-are still pending at this time.

"Today our duck friends are happy and healthy," said Pam Nixon, Assistant Manager of the MSPCA Nevins Farm and Equine Adoption Center, "We are working together with local adopters, waterfowl rescues and humane organizations to find homes for about 100 ducks that remain in our care. We have placed roughly 200 of these lucky ducks into loving, permanent homes. My hope is that they live the most happy, joyful lives. They truly deserve it!"

"When we heard that the MSPCA was undertaking such a massive adoption effort, we wanted to be able to offer our assistance and support," said Susie Coston, Farm Sanctuary's national shelter director. "As soon as some space opened up in our duck barn, we happily offered to shelter 10 of the brave survivors, who will now have the chance to become ambassadors for their species, educating thousands of visitors to Farm Sanctuary about the plight of animals raised for food."

Farm Sanctuary's newest additions are getting along just swimmingly, joining about 750 rescued farm animals who, like them, have been saved from abuse and neglect and now call the upstate New York shelter "home."

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at http://www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.