Animal lovers cry ‘fowl’ as troubled SoCal sanctuary surrenders 500 ducks — saying officials turned a blind eye to bird abuse

Animal control officials in Riverside County, California, are working to relocate hundreds of ducks after the owner of a sanctuary in Anza surrendered a large portion of the birds amid allegations that the property had become overcrowded and that the animals were not being properly cared for.

According to the Riverside County Department of Animal Services, about 480 ducks were given up by Howard Berkowitz, the founder of a facility known as “The Duck Sanctuary.” County officials said they had been aware that Berkowitz intended to operate an animal sanctuary, but recent inspections raised concerns about conditions at the site.

In a statement, the department said investigators determined the birds were living in overcrowded conditions and were not receiving appropriate care. Officials said the situation required the animals to be removed from the property and placed elsewhere.

The sudden need to house hundreds of ducks has led the county to search for adopters and rescue groups willing to take them in. The birds are currently being kept at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus while officials work to place them.

The case has also sparked criticism from animal activists and rescue groups, many of whom say warning signs about the sanctuary had been raised long before authorities stepped in. The Shore Sanctuary, an animal rescue organization, said it had previously warned about problems at the facility.

In a statement posted on social media, the group argued that what was presented to the public as a sanctuary had turned into a situation involving hoarding and neglect. The organization also said it believes the operation expanded too quickly while continuing to receive public donations.

The Shore Sanctuary said it took in 11 of the ducks on Wednesday. Online comments tied to the situation echoed similar concerns, with some people claiming the sanctuary had grown beyond its capacity and relied on donations without sufficient resources to support the animals.

Some individuals who had donated to the sanctuary said they felt misled after learning about the reported conditions.

County officials confirmed that the ducks were removed during an investigation into the property after concerns were raised about how the animals were being kept. Despite the problems reported at the site, testing conducted on the birds found no signs of infectious disease, which helped ease fears of a broader health issue.

Berkowitz reportedly still has roughly 500 ducks. He told LAist that criticism circulating online contributed to his decision to close the sanctuary and relocate. He said he is in the process of securing a 160-acre property in Northern California where the remaining birds will be moved.

Meanwhile, the ducks already surrendered to authorities remain at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus. The county is offering free adoptions in an effort to find homes quickly and reduce crowding at the facility.

Animal advocates say the situation is still developing and warn that the long-term outcome for many of the birds remains uncertain. The Shore Sanctuary, which said it has taken in birds from the property in the past, called for accountability and criticized how local authorities handled the case.

County officials have not yet provided additional comment on the criticism as efforts continue to place the remaining ducks.