Two pet ducks called “true survivors” of the CZU Lightning Complex fires are available for adoption, according to the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA (PHS/SPCA).
The pair, named Forest and Meadow, survived for 11 days in the active fire and evacuation zones.
“They lived with their owner who was evacuated due to the fires, but he wasn’t able to evacuate with them,” said PHS/SPCA spokesperson Buffy Martin Tarbox. “For eleven days the ducks avoided the fire and smoke, foraging for food and water sources until we were able to rescue them on Aug. 31 with the assistance of other agencies who provided an escort into the evacuated zone.”
The owner of the ducks lost his home in the fires, so he surrendered the pair to PHS/SPCA, which pledged to find a new home for the bonded pair. Forest is a male Mallard duck and Meadow a female Peking duck.
The adoption fee for the pair is $20.
“It is truly a miracle these birds survived everything. Since they are pet ducks, they are not used to having to fend for themselves in the wild, and especially in the middle of a raging wildfire,” Tarbox said. “They were covered in soot and ash, dehydrated, underweight and quite hungry when they arrived at our shelter. But Forest and Meadow are doing much better now and ready for a new home.”
PHS/SPCA is open for adoptions by appointment only. Call (650) 340-7022 to schedule an appointment.
PHS/SPCA provided safe shelter for 98 companion animals for fire evacuees in San Mateo County. Many of these animals have since been reunited with their families, according to the agency.
Photo credit: PHS/SPCA
