I just got a letter from the zoning board :*(

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Very good advise we had a woman here in NC with chickens(our rules said poultry) and no story like your daughter's. A call to the local newspaper got her story out and then the local TV station sent a film crew. When that aired and the cute helpless chickens were on the screen there was standing room only and a overflow in the hearing hall to speak in favor of the chickens. She got a pass with the only restriction that she couldn't sell chickens or eggs from her property and a suggestion that she should consider limiting her flock, if it got out of hand they would have to reconsider. Year later she ran for office and got the ordinance repealed. one neighbor was miffed. end of story.
 
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Careful with the Muscovy ducks, they were recently outlawed by the Federal Government, We managed to get a exception for food production but pets are still outlawed I believe. (muscovies can fly and often excape or are dumped, once out of control they can multiply worse than rabbits! our arguement was that no one raising for food or egg production would willingly let these birds out of their control and the Feds bought that)
 
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Well they get complaints about dogs all the time but they know people will fight to keep them. a complaint about ducks sort of stands out in their mind and they want to win for a change so they go after the ducks (who don't have a big lobby)
 
I work in an ER in Anchorage. We have patients that come to the ER with their pets. They have a official paper that says the pet is a "service animal'. At first I thought this was a bunch of baloney. We had patients coming in with their ferrets, cats, guinea pigs, etc. I would'nt of thought twice about a dog, but I failed to see how a rodet was a service animal. I began to see that when it involves mental health issues, it is not for me to question and judge. I am simply there to help with their medical treatment and if its a ferret that is giving this pt. hope and peace, then I say I am glad they have found something to love and feel loved. I think that perhaps this is a national level law and that your daughter should be able to get the same kind of offical paperwork that says she needs to be involved with her ducks. Of course they might have her try counselling, but if she has a honest need for the ducks, the counselor will pick up on it and see her need.
 
Yes, and certain mental conditions can qualify under the ADA as disabilities. This definitely bears looking into.
 
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I'm so sorry to hear about this - but I definately think you should fight this case!! You have enough advantages that I think you can win your case. I hope your daughter's condition doesn't go public for her own sake, but if it means keep those ducks hopefully it'll be worth it!
I hope it turns out for you both and best wishes - I'll be following this thread
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Talk to your neighbors. It is going to be hard, your not going to want to do it, but take note of the times when they are home, and have had a chance to settle in, and go knock on their door. You are going to be frustrated by them, they are going to be snarky, or evasive, but be determined to have a nice visit, and lay it all out on the line.

Most complainers are not going to want to listen to you at first. They have worked themselves up into enough of a snit that they don't want to be talked out of it. Don't expect them to give in on your first visit. But if you open the lines of communication, offer every solution you can think of (short of getting rid of the ducks) and be willing to honestly LISTEN to their complaints and concerns, well, you may just win a reprieve.

Its not going to be easy, and you are going to have to smile and eat crow, but the results will be worth it. As long as they are discontent, the town has to follow the rules, for the greater peace. Variances are tough to get, even for medical reasons. nobody wants to set a precedent like this.

Next time tho, get muscovies.... never a peep!

Good Luck to you.
 
Hi everyone! nothing really new to report on the ducks and the town, just a waiting game right now. But I wanted to pop in and say thank you again for all of the amazing support and advice! I sent the letter as the town requested, and am waiting to hear what the next step is.

As if life were not hectic enough, most of you know we got that blizzard almost two weeks ago in New Jersey. Well, I was not totally prepared for 3 feet of snow! . the ducks have been in their shed now for two weeks,(8 ducks, 8 x 12 ft. shed) something i never wanted to do, but they are handling it very well. Today was the first day they got to go out into their run since the storm, as it was totally inaccessible. I've slowly been shoveling to it. And guess what, It's snowing again now!! lol.
Then Wednesday, my daughter fell and hurt her leg in gym class. I work full time, and because of the snow and this, i've missed so much work. So anyway, she is now in a cast, with a fractured growth plate. I've never even heard of that before. But she is handling it all very well, I'm very proud of her. the Ortho says it's not a serious break that would require surgery to protect her growth, so thank god for that!

I did receive a letter from the zoning board. I'm not getting my hopes up, but to me it is a sign of good things (maybe?). In the original letter from the town, it was a combination of telling me ducks were not allowed and to either get rid of them or apply for a waiver by Jan. 14th, and also that I needed to apply for a permit for the run or take it down. Well this letter I just received says
"In regards to your recent letter to the mayor and council, I'm writing to inform you that even though the structure for your ducks is not permanent, you are still required to have a permit. Please fill out these forms, and bring them in to "so and so" by Jan. 20th, on a Thursday between 2 and 7pm to apply for a permit. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter"

I know it's totally unrelated to the waiver for the ducks, but it gave me a little bit of hope. Anyway thanks again everyone, I really was falling apart before I posted on here and got all this wonderful advice and support!

Dawn
 

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