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Cock-a-doodle-don’t: Brunswick incident illustrates Maine’s rooster abandonment problem
A 20-pound rooster was saved from a dumpster in Brunswick last week. Unfortunately, not all abandoned roosters are so lucky as to be rescued.
Courtesy of Brunswick Police Department
After being informed of an odd squawking noise during the morning shift last Thursday, 7-Eleven clerk Laurie Smith went to the back of the convenience store on Brunswick’s Maine Street to investigate.
“I was shocked,” Smith, a Brunswick resident, said. “I opened it up, he jumped out and he started cock-a-do-ing.”
With help from customer and Brunswick local Christopher Kesney, the two uncovered a large, 20-pound healthy black rooster, alone, stuck inside a dumpster. At first, the bird was contained within a plastic lobster crate, but soon got loose.
A farm animal sanctuary in Brooks expands
Peace Ridge Sanctuary has grown by almost 250 acres, allowing it to expand its wildlife rehab area and build a new large animal barn.
By Avery Yale Kamila
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Harriet lives on a new satellite farm adjacent to the original Peace Ridge facility. Construction is underway on a large animal barn, and this summer crews will break ground on a heated medical building on the 244-acre property now part of sanctuary.
Photo courtesy of Peace Ridge Sanctuary
One of the largest farm animal sanctuaries in Maine has grown even bigger. Peace Ridge Sanctuary, known for rescuing animals from the state’s worst abuse cases, now covers more than 1,000 acres in rural Brooks. It’s a fitting milestone as the nonprofit marks its 20th anniversary.
October - George’s River Land Trust
November - NAACP Maine
December - Avian Haven
In 2019, donations totaled over $11,000, according to Bower, but 2020’s totals were fewer, due to the pandemic’s interruption to the program. As soon as Good Tern was able to re-open again, the program renewed with vigor.
“In July, we decided to give the round-up money to two organizations per month for the rest of the year,” said Bower. “After the death of George Floyd, [a 46-year-old Black man, who was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, while being arrested] and in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, we tried to focus on organizations that support Indigenous, Black, and people of color in our state.”