Ducks tend to fly off adoptables list in Windsor-Essex, Humane Society says

When looking for apet, a duck may not be the obviouschoice, but according to the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society, they tend to get adopted quickly when they turn up at the shelter.

Executive director Melanie Coulter said the organizationhad three separate groups of ducks arrive recently nine ducks in total but all of the birds have sincebeen adopted.

The organization hadposted about duckadoptions on Facebook,featuring a friendly-looking fellownamed Wallace.

It's not uncommon for domestic ducks which look different than the wild ones to arrive at the shelter, she said.

"Alot of people think they're going to be veryhard to adopt, but the reality is whenever we post them on social media we're flooded with interest ofpeople adopting, especially hens roosters are a little bit harder but for sure hens and ducks tend to get adopted really, really quickly."

Since then, theducks were adopted totwo homes in Essex County.

They can't be adopted in the city due to bylaws, Coulter said, adding that anyone who adopts a duck needs to check to see if they are permitted where they live.

Demand still high for adoptions

The pandemic sparked a massive demand for pet adoptions across the country, and the trend is still playing out in Windsor-Essex.

Right from the start of the pandemic, there was increased interest in the animals,Coulter said.

"Most of our dogs that go up for adoption get adopted within hours," she said.

Even animals that might have previouslytake longer to find homes such as adult or senior cats might take days instead of weeks to find their forever homes.

And despite concern over what happens to all of those animals after everyone returns to work physically, so farthe Humane Society's return rate is actually lower now than it was before COVID-19 hit, according to Coulter, who said that other shelters are similarly not seeing an increase in animals being brought back.

"These animals are staying in homes and it's a great to be able to see them find home so quickly," she said.

That's not to say shelters don't have any concerns related to the effects of the pandemic. Coulter said sheltersare watching out to see whether dogs that didn't get a chance to be properly socialized as puppies start to show up, as well as the effects ofchallenges in accessing veterinary care.

The Humane Society is also seeing people having difficultyfeeding their pets amid the pandemic,and donations to its pet food bank are lower, Coulter said, adding that the organization is doing a food drive this weekend.