dumping ducks...

[classroomducks]

Yesterday, I was sitting at the photo kiosk in walmart making books for my students that collage all the pictures we have from raising ducklings this year. I was there for almost an hour working on one book. The photo lady started walking behind me and watching what i was doing...she made a comment about the duckling pictures so i told her i was a teacher and that my students and I had hatched and raised ducklings this past fall and the book i was making was an end of the year gift for the kids. She marveled at how cute the babies were...then she started talking about how she used to raise them when she was a kid, and even a few years ago. She then went on to tell me how "when we were done with them, we just left them at the local park. I'm sure they found a nice pond near by."

My mind immediately went to all the posts i had read here on BYC about how irresponsible people can be and it made me so mad. I looked right at her and said "well, my ducks are living happily on a ranch in colorado because it is irresponsible to just dump ducks and hope they find a pond." She said that was just how they always did it...and i said that it was irresponsible. She just walked away...

Im not normally a confrontational person but it just made me so mad. I havent had any duck babies in 5 months...and as much as I would love to raise them again, I have no where to keep anymore ducks. It is just so crazy that people just think they can dump them...

I know im preaching to the choir here, but it is just so frustrating. And it is just not ducks! There was a 3 year old who was deaf and blind that was left in a park...his grandmother said she had left him where someone could find him...he died! Why are people so uneducated. You cant just dump the lives that rely on you and hope they fend for themselves...ducks, dogs, cats, babies...its just so wrong!

OK...sorry guys. I know this stirs everyones fire but i had to vent somewhere. I knew you guys would understand it.

 

[duckluck]

Good for you! There's no reason to tolerate ignorance or stupidity...when people show apathy to a problem, they become part of the problem. I commend you for confronting her! Most people wouldn't have the moxie to do it!

 

[chickboss]

It is a very short sighted solution. And makes me angry as well. I'm glad you said something. Hopefully, she will realize why it is wrong. The funny thing is that people often don't think of the implications it can have on the native waterfowl who can interbreed with the domestics. Not all of those babies will be suited for life in the wild, thus reducing the numbers of viable young wild ducklings being born. Not to mention the increased competition for food. Ect. Ect........Preaching to the choir here as well.