San Diego County Animal Services says it is caring for more than 820 birds, roughly 400 of them ducks, along with two dogs that were removed from a Valley Center property after officers received reports the animals were sick and not being properly cared for. The department says the removal began yesterday, under a search warrant and unfolded over about 12 hours. Staff and partner organizations are now triaging and treating the birds at county shelters while Animal Services continues its investigation.
According to the County of San Diego, Riverside County alerted San Diego, animal-control officers to conditions in the 28000 block of Lilac Road in Valley Center, and officers obtained a search warrant before removing the animals. The county says officers transported the birds to its Bonita and Carlsbad animal shelters, and that the San Diego Humane Society will provide veterinary support over the next few days. Some of the birds reportedly appeared sick or in need of urgent medical care when crews arrived.
County Animal Services is caring for more than 820 birds, including 400 ducks, and two dogs that were removed from a Valley Center property Thursday after receiving reports that the animals were sick and not being properly cared for. Learn more: https://t.co/NyD7p7jrts pic.twitter.com/BQIYkIEBA6
— SanDiegoCounty (@SanDiegoCounty) July 17, 2026
What Officers Say They Found, And Who Is Helping
"When we arrived, our officers found birds living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions," Dr. Brie Sarvis, the department's director and chief veterinarian, per the County of San Diego. She thanked staff and partner groups for working quickly to stabilize and treat the animals while crews separated visibly sick birds from those that needed quarantine.
Shelters, Medical Bills And How To Help
County staff say the birds are being sheltered and quarantined while veterinary teams assess illnesses and injuries and sort out who can be treated on site and who needs more intensive care. Donations to the Department of Animal Services’ Spirit Veterinary Medical Fund will help cover the unusually high costs tied to this case, the county says. The fund accepts online gifts and mailed checks, according to the Department of Animal Services.
Ongoing Investigation And A Busy Year For Rescues
Animal Services says its investigation is ongoing and that the agency is still reviewing the animals' origins and care history. The operation follows other large rescues this year. County officials recently sought donations after a June horse rescue in Julian, as reported by the Times of San Diego. At the same time, the department has faced scrutiny over shelter operations and practices in recent reporting by KPBS.
The county says it will provide updates as the Valley Center investigation continues and is asking anyone with information about the case to contact Animal Services. In the near term, staff say donations to the Spirit Fund and offers to foster or adopt from county shelters will be critical to free up space and help cover care for the rescued birds.
