Humbling Experience

I am currently involved in my first deployment as a member of the HSUS DART (Disaster Animal Relief Team). The team went to visit a man who was fighting dogs and roosters based on a tip they received through the tipline. Visit http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2011/04/florida_fighting_rescue_040111.html

for more information on it.

Anyway, I drove with another volunteer from Boynton Beach. It took us 4.5 hours to get here. We checked into our hotel and waited for further instructions. About an hour late we were told to go to the staging area. We met up with the rest of the team. They pulled in with several trucks and vans full of chickens, roosters and pit bulls. We offloaded the pitties first, putting them in big airline crates. Everyone was given a number. They were beautiful pits, with lots of scars on their faces and bodies, but otherwise in very good condition. A few were very scared and of course, that breaks your heart. Next, we offloaded the birds. They were so noisy! We put them in cages with food and water. I was feeding the roosters and was astonished to see them devour the feed. The shelter leader said that the people keep the roosters starving because it makes them meaner. I felt so bad for them. They were so hungry.

This has been a most humbling experience. I am in awe of the team and all their dedication. They are an amazing team. I am so very, very grateful that I was deployed and I hope to do it again sometime. I will be here all weekend and though I can't say anything about the place where we are or anything that will hurt the case, I will post as much as possible.

I have seen roosters and chickens before, of course, but I have never really appreciated their beauty. The roosters are magnificent, truly amazing. Their colors are beyond description, I doubt there are names for the blends and harmony of colors on their feathers. The hens are so protective of their chicks. One rooster, and one hen, in particular, are absolutely stunning. I wish I had a farm so that I could bring them home. They are both a gorgeous off-white color with beige flecks. Just astounding.

I keep looking at these sweet victims of human cruelty and again, I ask "how can anyone do this to an animal?" The roosters have all had their wattles cut off in what I am sure was a most cruel and painful procedure. They look at me with curiosity in their little eyes and it breaks my heart that they will have to be put down. Roosters who have been trained to fight cannot make good pets. Also, people who have chickens and roosters can only own one rooster because they are very territorial over their hens. The hens will hopefully all be adopted out.

So day one is over. I had a good night sleep last night and got up at 6:00 am and am ready to head over for a day of caring for these poor creatures.