Duck Sanctuary Forced From Wildomar After Neighbor Complaints

WILDOMAR, CA — Howie Berkowitz, owner of The Duck Sanctuary, is looking for a new place to call home. He and his ever-growing flock of waterfowl, rescued from across Southern California, are relocating to avoid a lawsuit with neighbors.

It's easy to imagine needing space for a facility that rehabilitates and provides for over 500 ducks and geese. One week ago, Berkowitz arrived home to find two UHAUL boxes full of baby ducks in his driveway. Suddenly, he had 32 more mouths to feed. Berkowitz admits that he was beside himself at the sight of the boxes of ducklings with no note, no food, nothing. He reached out and found hands and hearts to help.

And his followers and friends came out of the woodwork to support the effort, from Orange County to across the Inland Empire. Now, they are banding together to help Berkowitz find a new place to spread his wings. The needs are expansive, and funds for the 501(c)3 business are few. But they are growing, thanks to his ever-hatching fan base.

"Thank you to everyone who helped to support the 32 baby ducks dumped at my house," Berkowitz reflected. "We have all of them in foster care right now, and hopefully, I will be able to find adoptions for them once they are feathered in."

Though Berkowitz solved one problem, another waited around the corner. A neighbor, not fond of the noise of so many squawking birds, has driven him from the property. Another call out for help,

"This is the fourth place I've been this year," he told ABC7 of his plight. After rescuing boxes of birds and dozens of baby ducks, Berkowitz must move or face the legalities of a neighbor's complaint.

Finding funding and a proper location for his ever-growing flock have been long-term issues for Berkowitz. At present, he spends $4,000 a month on feed for his 500 or more birds.

"We go through 250 pounds of food daily," he said. He has a running tab with a veterinarian who specializes in waterfowl, which has reached $2,000 at present.

"Your donations go directly toward food, shelter, medical treatments and daily support for the animals in our care, and help us find permanent homes for them," his fundraiser site said. "Be a guardian and set up a recurring payment - that helps us help to sustain our ability to care for them."

Berkowitz is attempting to raise $250,000 to purchase a 20-acre parcel of land in Aguanga, he says. He found the land, and that is where he is hoping to plant his stakes and call home.

He is looking for somewhere without neighbors to bother, where he can at last build permanent ponds and provide fresh water for his ever-growing flock.

"No matter what's going wrong with my life, when I get to the sanctuary, everything is forgotten, and I am just taking care of these ducks," he told the station. For now, they are headed to another temporary home in Winchester with the help of friends.

"Unfortunately, I did not win the $1 billion lottery, but in the meantime, feel free to support the sanctuary's mission," he said. For more information, visit www.theducksanctuary.com.

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