Contribution increases total reward for information about neglected animals to $7,000

(September 14, 2010) – United Animal Nations (UAN), a nonprofit animal protection organization based in California, is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the whereabouts of approximately 1,500 birds and other animals that disappeared from a Greene County, Missouri, property before law enforcement officials were to remove them from suspected neglectful conditions on August 17.

In August, UAN deployed a team of specially trained emergency animal sheltering volunteers to help the Greene County Sheriff’s Office care for an anticipated influx of about 1,600 pigeons, chickens, parrots, ducks and other birds who were living in extremely overcrowded and unsanitary conditions without water or adequate food. But only 108 birds were on the property on August 17 when rescuers arrived on the scene.

UAN’s $2,000 pledge brings the total reward for information in this case to $7,000. The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), which participated in the rescue operation, has pledged $5,000.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the missing birds should call Crime Stoppers at 869-TIPS (8477) or go online at www.tipsubmit.com.

“UAN’s mission is to bring animals out of crisis and into care, and we were disappointed that only a fraction of the birds living in such a sad state of neglect could be saved,” said UAN President and CEO Nicole Forsyth. “We hope our reward will encourage someone who knows more about this situation to come forward so the missing birds can get a second chance at a better life.”  

UAN deployed 14 volunteers to Greene  County in August to care for the 108 rescued birds at a temporary shelter at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. The birds were later transferred to Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union,Missouri, a rehabilitation center for abused and neglected horses and farm animals operated by the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO).

Staff and volunteers from the ASPCA, HSMO and SPCA Serving Erie County,N.Y. also assisted in the removal, care and transport of the birds, and PetSmart Charities donated supplies for the temporary sheltering effort.

UAN is offering the $2,000 reward through its Zig Zag Memorial Reward Fund, designed to encourage witnesses to step forward with information about animal cruelty crimes and to highlight the need for harsher punishments in such cases.

MEDIA CONTACT: Alexis Raymond, (916) 429-2457, ext. 314

Founded in 1987, United Animal Nations (UAN) focuses on bringing animals out of crisis and strengthening the bond between people and animals through emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and education. Learn more at www.uan.org.

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