Photo: Contributed
The Okanagan Humane Society urgently needs to find new homes for more than 40 chickens.
The Okanagan Humane Society is urgently searching for a new home or homes for more than 40 chickens.
“We got a call and an email from a fellow who is experiencing a bit of hardship right now with his family and has a flock of 40 laying chickens and four roosters. So, 40 hens and four roosters that need rehoming quite suddenly,” said Okanagan Human Society president Romany Runnalls.
Power to the chicken coop will be shut off within days. Runnalls says that’s why they have put out an urgent call to the community for help.
“To see if there are any experienced handlers who would like to adopt the chickens into their flocks. They are healthy birds. Whether they be the whole flock or part of the flock,” she explains.
The flock consists of 20 brown laying hens that are producing eggs every day. The rest are heritage breeds that produce, on average, about once every three days.
The birds are located in the West Kelowna area. Anyone who can help give them a new place to roost is asked to text 250-862-1794. The society does have some crates available if people need help transporting the chickens.
While this is an unusual case because of the number of animals involved, Runnalls says the volume of financial hardship calls this year is unprecedented in the 27-year history of the organization.
“We hear about it every day in the news, the inflation. It is hitting people hard right now in taking care of their animals.
“When people are struggling to feed their own families and pay their own bills, the addition or the ongoing care sometimes of the animals is what has to give.
“So yes, we are getting a lot of calls for hardship situations. Whether it be veterinary medical assistance, occasionally rehoming—not that often because most of the time people will not want to give up their animals,” she notes.
If you want to help the Okanagan Humane Society, it’s hosting a Pet Photos with Santa event at Buckerfields Kelowna on Springfield Rd on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 10 am-2 pm You can drop in but if you want a guaranteed spot, phone ahead at 250-860-2346.
“All the proceeds will be going to helping spay and neuter animals and also for some medical care when people are in need for their pets,” adds Runnalls.
Donations of pet food are also being accepted. A bin will be set up at Buckerfields during the event.
If you would like to make a cash donation or sign up as a volunteer, go to the Okanagan Humane Society website.
