12,000 Abandoned Chicks Discovered in Postal Truck: Urgent Issues in Animal Shipping You Need to Know

A Delaware animal shelter is busy finding homes for thousands of chicks that were abandoned in a USPS truck for three days. This situation began when the U.S. Postal Service received a call about an "undeliverable box of baby birds." Originally, around 12,000 chicks were shipped from Freedom Ranger Hatchery in Pennsylvania to various farms across the country.

When officials discovered the chicks at a distribution center in Delaware, they found that about 4,000 had already died. The remaining chicks—over 8,000—were taken to the First State Animal Center and SPCA in Camden. These chicks were put up for adoption starting May 13, according to a post on their social media.

The shelter mentioned that the chicks were left without food, water, or a proper temperature. While many people feel empathy for these animals, only a few hundred have been adopted so far. Freedom Ranger Hatchery has said they haven’t received clear answers from USPS about what went wrong.

In a statement, USPS acknowledged that accidents can happen and said they are working to improve future shipping processes for live animals. They pointed out that shipping guidelines have been in place for over a century, requiring proper ventilation and packaging to keep live poultry safe.

This incident has stirred conversations about animal welfare on social media. With hashtags like #SaveTheChicks trending, many people are questioning the safety of mailing live animals. Animal rights organizations like PETA have long criticized this practice, pointing out the risks involved, especially over long distances.

In a broader context, the event highlights ongoing concerns about live animal transportation. According to a 2022 survey from the Animal Welfare Institute, many Americans believe that more regulations should be put in place to protect animals during transport.

In the end, while the chicks are now at the shelter, the fallout from this incident raises important questions about shipping practices and animal welfare. As communities become more aware, it seems that conversations around these topics will only grow. More information can be found on the USPS website regarding their animal shipping guidelines.

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