A Bountiful animal rescue is asking for the public's help after two baby chicks were abandoned near Bountiful High School. The birds were used in a dance proposal on Friday, Sept. 25, then left in a church parking lot next door.
Wasatch Wanderers, a foster-based animal rescue, said the chicks were dumped in the lot that day, according to a press release from the organization, first reported by ABC4. A volunteer spotted a Facebook post from a woman who found the birds and offered them for free. The post read: "Found these in the high school parking lot. Free to anyone that wants them."
The woman told the rescue group her son had witnessed a "dance proposal" involving the two chicks. After the proposal, the birds were left behind.
A Wasatch Wanderers foster volunteer met with the finder and brought the chicks to safety. Both are now living with a foster hen.
"Live animals are not props," Adri Ballif, president of Wasatch Wanderers, said in the press release. "If you insist on using an animal to ask someone to a dance, use a stuffed animal."
Ballif said the chicks would not have survived the elements without intervention. The incident fell during the rescue's five-year anniversary month.
The rescue traced the purchase to the C-A-L Ranch store in Bountiful after matching a serial number on the box. A store employee confirmed the sale. Whether the buyer was a minor remains unknown. Selling live animals to anyone under 18 is against C-A-L Ranch store policy.
Abandoning domestic animals, including chickens, is illegal under Utah law, according to ABC4.
Wasatch Wanderers said it has tried to reach the original finder for more details but had not heard back as of Wednesday, Sept. 30. Anyone with information can text the organization at (435) 915-6632.
Upcoming community events:
- Saturday, Oct. 10: North Salt Lake opens its first library branch.
- Saturday, Oct. 10: Woods Cross hosts free Pumpkins in the Park.
