Volunteers from Gold Country Wildlife Rescue and wardens from the California Department of Fish and Game teamed up last April after neighbors complained of mistreatment of Canada Geese at a Loomis adult care facility.  The complaints triggered an investigation by Warden Mark Jeeter who then established a surveillance operation at the home.

Several months of investigation allegedly showed that the owner of the home was trapping Canada Geese, clipping their wings and then serving them to the residents.  A date was set in late April to raid the premises and seize the birds.  Warden Jeeter contacted GCWR volunteer Aaron Bendavid, who then arranged for six volunteers to accompany three wardens and round up the geese.  He also arranged for the geese to be transported to the International Bird Rescue and Research Center at Suisun for temporary housing.

The first report from the wardens indicated a maximum of 12 geese.  When volunteers arrived, that report proved to be overly optimistic.  There were approximately 40 geese of several different species gathered at the pond behind the facility.  Almost half of them either flew away or were determined to be domestic waterfowl.  Only the Canada Geese were protected by state law, and the roundup began.

The operation took almost 3 hours and netted 22 geese, including several who were sitting on eggs.  All of them were malnourished and had their wings amputated at the wrist.  The geese were placed in carriers, loaded into vehicles and transported to Suisun.  There, the staff veterinarian examined the birds.  One goose had a severe infection at the amputation site and had to be euthanized.  The rest were given antibiotics and treated for dehydration.  None of the salvaged eggs were viable.  Several days later, the flock was transported to a sanctuary in Tuolumne County where they will safely live out their lives.

During the operation, several dogs were observed in kennels and appeared to be distressed.  Volunteer Carrie Ivins contacted Placer County Animal Control, and one female dog and a puppy were confiscated.

The saddest part of the entire episode is that Canada Geese mate for life.  We have no idea how many families were broken up as a result of this incident.

The owner of the facility has been charged with 22 counts of felony animal cruelty.  In November, the owner plead guilty to 22 counts of animal cruelty and was given five years probation.  A fine is still pending.   In addition, the facility is being investigated by Social Services for various infractions.
Our thanks to volunteers Sherry and Sam Bast, Carrie Ivins, Kathy and Jim Northy, Kari Freidig and Aaron Bendavid for their efforts in rescuing these Canada Geese.