USPS abandons 12,000 chicks

Thousands of chicks, including Freedom Ranger chicks, turkeys, geese, and quail, were abandoned in a United States — United States Postal Service truck for three days in Delaware, leading to thousands of deaths. The surviving chicks, estimated to be over two thousand, are now being cared for by First State Animal Center and SPCA, which has turned into a 24/7 operation and is facing significant financial strain. Freedom Ranger Hatchery, which raised the chicks, cannot take them back due to biosecurity concerns. The United States — Delaware Department of Agriculture directed the animals to the shelter and is responsible for assisting with funds, but claims to have no funds to allocate, leading to ongoing negotiations and plans to seek recoupment from United States — United States Postal Service. John Parana, executive director of First State Animal Center and SPCA, and Jimmy Kroon, chief of planning for United States — Delaware Department of Agriculture, are involved in addressing the crisis.