THE BUZZ
Seventeen Candles A celeb rat i o n fo r a l u c ky d u c k at R I ’ s o n l y sanctua r y fo r fa r m a n i m a l s i n T i ve r to n
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rna, a beloved Crested Pekin Duck at West Place Animal Sanctuar y in Tiverton, celebrated a significant milestone this year – her 17th birthday. This event highlighted Erna as the sanctuar y’s oldest resident and one of its original rescues from 2007, a meaningful affirmation of the work of the farm animal welfare non-profit dedicated to rescuing livestock from neglect, abuse, and cruelty situations, as well as providing life-long care. The sanctuar y
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has about 100 permanent residents, including donkeys, horses, alpacas, goats, sheep, pigs, ducks, swans, geese, and exotic birds, many of which came from horrific conditions. Known as the sanctuary’s reigning “foster mom,” Erna spends her days nurturing bundles of fluff, fostering hundreds of baby birds with a maternal flair that could make Mother Goose envious. “This is a major milestone for Erna,” says Wendy Taylor, former Providence lawyer, turned sanctuary founder and executive
director. “Farm animals rarely reach such an advanced age. Erna has contributed immensely to both the human and animal lives at West Place, and in return, West Place has afforded her the greatest gift – the chance to grow old.” Reflecting on the inspiration behind organizing Erna’s birthday festivities, Patrick Cole, director of development and communications, shares, “Erna’s journey embodies the essence of our sanctuary’s mission. Her longevity and unyielding spirit ser ve as a testament to the
JUNE 2024 | HeyRhody.com
Photo courtesy of West Place Animal Sanctuary
By Jenna Kaplan