Saturday, March 15, 2014

Save the Hens

 

“Scum bags” was the term the rescue team used to describe the people responsible for the cruel treatment of 4,000 roosters and hens. Discovered on some remote farmland, the birds were being bred for cock fighting matches. The conditions these animals were living in was disgraceful. Starving and frozen, suffering from neglect and disease, a compassionate rescue team of professionals set about the task of saving these maltreated creatures.

I was contacted across the country to come on site and help this rescue team cope with their emotions since a decision was made that 2,000 roosters would have to be euthanized.

This was not the ordinary rescue mission for these team members. They had extensive experience coming to natural disasters such as tornadoes or hurricanes. They had rescued hundreds of lost dogs, cats and a variety of animal species. Their task was always to nurse these small creatures back to health and in many cases happily restore the pets back to their owners.

This was a criminal case. Evidence had to be gleaned from tags attached to each rooster’s wing feathers. The sad reality was that these animals were raised to be aggressive and used for gambling in cock fighting matches. Changing the birds aggressive nature was unfortunately not an option. Therefore, the humane decision was to euthanize each animal.

One seasoned rescue member shared that this was not part of their job description. Their purpose was always to save and rehabilitate the animals. Bringing animals back to health and restoring them to their owners or help in finding a new loving home. It was gut wrenching to observe each handler struggle with each bird fighting for its survival. However, the handlers carried out their duty with precision and grace. With dignity, they reached inside each cage and grasped the rooster who then would first be put to sleep and later received their injection from the veterinarian in a humane manner.

I was humbled to work along side each rescue member, taking the euthanized birds over to the forensic team to examine each animal for evidence. These people would gently place each bird on the exam table to be processed and identified and then with dignity placed back into its box and handed over to their final resting place. A decision was made to save the remaining hens that numbered close to 2,000. They are currently being fed and watered and waiting for their new homes throughout the country.

Similar to 9/11, never in my widest dreams did I imagine that I would be called upon to support such an outstanding team of rescue workers. Sometimes we find ourselves in unique situations that demand our very best. The rescue work was exhausting both physically and emotionally. I observed the highest degree of respect for each bird as they were carried to their final resting place. For some lucky hens, their life will go on as they continue to receive food and care until someone comes to adopt each one. In my heart, these people are true heroes in giving each rooster dignity at the end of life and helping to find homes for the remaining hens. This was one of the most unique critical incident services that I have been called upon to serve since 9/11. God was truly present in the way each person served to protect and care for each animal.At the final debriefing, i complimented this team for their compassionate work and told them to take the day off when they returned home to their families.

God invites us to listen to his words and what do you hear? “The Lord helps them and rescues them; he rescues them from the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in him.” (Psalm 37:40).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who are victims of violence. May God keep you safe. If you would like to adopt a rescued hen, call your local animal shelter and have them contact the ASPCA to provide a safe haven for one of God’s beautiful creatures.