Hundreds of baby chicks rescued from vacant lot in North Philadelphia
(PSPCA)
NORTH PHILADELPHIA - The Pennsylvania SPCA (PSPCA) says they have rescued approximately 800 baby chicks in Philadelphia's Olney neighborhood Saturday morning after receiving reports that they had been abandoned.
The PSPCA's Humane Law Enforcement team responded to the 5500 block of Whitaker Avenue around noon. The owner reportedly arrived on the scene a few hours later, telling officers he had planned to take over the lot, which is owned by the adjoining business, to raise the chicks for food resale.
However, according to the PSPCA, the owner had not contacted the property owner and failed to provide chicks with proper housing or feeding/watering stations.
(PSPCA)
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(PSPCA)
PSPCA officers rescued and transported the chicks to the organization's Erie Avenue headquarters, where they will be treated and ultimately placed in adoptive homes or with approved rescues.
"The owner admitted to having chicks there for days and having numerous chicks lost through transportation and inadequate housing," said Nicole Wilson, the PSPCA's director of humane law enforcement. "The owner estimated that he had lost over a thousand chicks prior to the discovery of the birds."
Anyone with information about this case, or other cases of animal cruelty, is urged to call the PSPCA's Cruelty Hotline at 866-601-7722. Animal cruelty can also be reported by filling out the PSPCA's online form here. Tips can be left anonymously.
Those interested in donating to the PSPCA can do so here.
(PSPCA)