I did notify animal control and asked them to check-in on the other animals from this owner for two reasons. First, the ducks had a parasite that spreads to other animals through feces. And second, Jane suffered. Jane suffered so terribly, over weeks and weeks. That isn’t my conclusion, that’s the opinion of the veterinarians who treated her. I have purposely left out most of the details on her history because the family deserves some privacy. They didn’t ask for a crazy duck lady with a blog to spew all about this online. But this is my blog. They can start their own. I have tried to just focus on Jane, because I cared for her day in and day out to try and save her, and I know all of you shared her struggle with me.

Frankly, there is no excuse for a duck to be in that condition. Ever. No matter what. There are always options, including humane euthanasia. When an animal is suffering, it’s not enough to do what you can, you must do ALL you can to help them. Here are the nanny’s OWN WORDS on Jane, written on Tue, 17 Mar 2009, when she originally asked for help for her:

“I wonder if you have contacts in WA regarding rehabiliation or rescue? I nanny for a family that has 4 turkeys and 5 ducks. One of the ducks has difficulty walking (over a week now) and this morning it snowed and he was the only duck shivering. I feel so bad for this duck and I can’t watch him suffer. I was told a previous duck had similar simptoms last summer and it eventually died. They thought the first duck had been stepped on by one of their goats but to be sure they did a round of antibiotics with it, tried soaking the sore leg, etc., and it still died. I am pretty sure this sick duck I am writting about is not receiving any treatment.”

I’ve been called an extremist and been told I’ve crossed the line by talking with animal control. All animal control does is drop by and check on the animals. I contacted them because that’s not my job, I don’t have time to do it, and I don’t want to regret not making sure those animals are fine. I only care about preventing suffering. And ducks. The end. There were two minor issues that animal control found, and both are easily remedied. Animal control is the agency that can follow up on that. I do believe the animals will be just fine, though I recommended they not keep ducks anymore. But that’s their decision and I’m not taking any more commentary on it, from anyone. I will say the minor embarrassment of having an animal control officer tour your yard is NOTHING compared to the suffering Jane endured. We should all be so lucky to suffer only minor embarrassment in life.

Lastly, I will say that this experience has been overwhelming for me. It was just about more than I could take and then some. I shared Jane’s story to help her, not to embarrass the family. At times I am sympathetic to their situation, and then I look at that photo of Jane and remember her dying in my arms and I get so angry I can hardly see straight.

Sharing Jane’s story resulted in more donations than I’ve ever seen before. I was overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of everyone who donated to the over $800 in vet bills for Jane, Sam & Lily. People donated from all over the United States, Australia, the Netherlands and beyond. Some donated $5 and some donated over $100. All donations helped make a difference more than you know. These are tough economic times for most everyone, and people still donated.

Jane got the best chance possible because of people like you.

Thank you.

By the way, in case you were wondering, Sam & Lily are not returning to that home.

No comments on this post. Let’s let Jane rest in peace, okay?