Holy Moly! That's a Bunch of Birds!
- Media
- 5 minutes ago
- 2 min read
County Animal Services removed more than 820 birds, including 400 ducks, and two dogs from a Valley Center property Thursday after receiving reports the animals were sick and not being properly cared for.
Riverside County first alerted San Diego County Animal Services after the owner relocated to Valley Center.
Animal control officers and partner agencies visited the property on the 11200 block of Lilac Vista Dr. After obtaining a search warrant, officers spent about 12 hours removing the animals and transporting them to the County’s Bonita and Carlsbad animal shelters for treatment. Crews worked throughout the day in hot conditions to ensure all animals were safely recovered.
“Responding to an operation of this size takes dedication and teamwork. When we arrived, our officers found birds living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. Our staff and partners worked tirelessly to ensure these animals were safe, and we’re now focused on giving each one the care they need to recover.”—Dr. Brie Sarvis, Director and Chief Veterinarian
Animal Services also worked closely with partners, including Pasadena Humane, Chula Vista Animal Services, County Code Compliance, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office and Riverside County Animal Control, whose support was essential throughout the operation and helped ensure all animals were safely removed from the property. In addition, CART volunteers provided trailers and crucial support that helped ensure animals could be transported safely.
Among the birds rescued were ducks, geese, roosters, peacocks, pigeons, parrots and possibly additional species.
The animals are being evaluated by veterinary staff, and treatment plans are being developed for each. San Diego Humane Society will also be providing veterinary support over the next few days to help manage ongoing care needs.
The ongoing care of the large number of birds will be supported by the Animal Services Spirit Medical Fund, which supports animals arriving at County shelters with serious medical needs or complicated circumstances.
The public can help by donating to the fund. Every dollar donated to the Spirit Fund goes directly to animal care — none is used for administrative costs.
Animal Services is continuing its investigation, and next steps in the enforcement process will be determined as the case develops.
County Animal Services promotes the humane and responsible care of pets in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County. The Department provides 24-hour animal rescues, supports residents who can no longer care for their pets, investigates and stops animal neglect and cruelty, enforces state and local laws, and educates the public about animal welfare, restraint and licensing.
Written by Sir Milo Loftin | July 17, 2026 | County of San Diego Communications Office
Comments