Fair Oaks Turns a Blind Eye to Illegally Abandoned Chickens

Whether you are pro or con, the Fair Oaks Village chickens are an issue. Educaton is a good place to start.

Did you know that 101 chickens were illegally abandoned in December 2011? Did you know that 138 Roosters were taken in January 2012? I have informed Sacramento County District 3 Representative Susan Peter, Neighborhood Service Area Manager Keri Blaskowski and the Fair Oaks Village Enhancement Commitee of the ongoing chicken population issue and I have asked these people numerous times for signs stating it is a $500 fine or six months jail for abandoning or taking a chicken. To which they replied, "No Sasha, we told you we are not gonna help you." One group even responded with, "We don't want to upset residents or business owners."

To me not picking a side is still making a choice, and a bad one in my opinion. Fair Oaks wouldn't even be on the map if it wasn't for The Village chickens. Never has one single penny gone to the Fair Oaks Village chickens, not even from the Chicken Festival. Yet, Fair Oaks has a chicken plastered on everything from business cards, logos, posters and artwork.

These are not feral chickens. We are talking about illegally abandoned chickens. Domestic birds and people's pets that are dubbed feral as soon as their feet hit the ground. I find it appauling that the county would turn a blind eye to these illegal activities and not show any concern for the town's mascot.

Here are the chicken population numbers:

• Nov. 2011: 166
• Dec. 2011: 267
• Jan.2012: 130
• Feb. 2012: 168
• March 2012: 138
• April 2012: 145
• May 2012: 128

The Village Chickens need your help! Volunteers and donations are needed. Donations are being accepted a Bella Fioré Florist and at Thistle Dew Quilt shop. Donations are also needed at the Old Towne Animal Hospital, where representatives have graciously taken care of so many chickens pro-bono.

Still, whether you are pro or con, these birds are going to keep coming until someone steps up with signage, and we certainly need to care for the domestic chickens that are here now.