Chicago Roo Crew

09/28/2025

A DESPERATE CALL FOR ASSISTANCE! DM US TO VOLUNTEER OR CLICK THE LINKS IN THE COMMENTS TO DONATE.

Many people message us weekly asking for us to take their “oopsie” roosters, male birds that they ended up with, from hatching chicks, or from purchases of purported “sexed chicks” from stores or hatcheries. People engage in chick hatching and purchasing birds despite the fact that many locations ban roosters, and expect that they can find a good home for the birds that they have raised and come to love. Or they just dump them in the woods, and the bird either dies, or must be rescued by agencies, or by rescues.

We have to say no, every week. It breaks our heart but we have to do it. People wonder why, this is our job, right? No. It is not. We are all volunteers.

Why do we say no? In Chicago, there’s a quick and simple reason. Roosters are legal. There are ways to thoughtfully and compassionately care for them with considerations for your neighbors. They are no louder than dogs, lawnmowers, leaf blowers, or screaming babies. Your roosters need you to advocate for them, and appreciate them. They’re beautiful beings, who are wrongfully stigmatized. You brought them into your home, and they are your responsibility now, just like any other being you opt to care for. If you want help on retaining your roosters, we’re here for that. But we can’t take them for you. There is no magical rooster land where they can all exist, that we can spirit them away to. We wish there were, trust us.

The bigger reason that we say no a lot is again because we serve a very underserved and stigmatized community of beings, and so there is an endless need for care. Farmed birds, and specifically roosters are otherized, and viewed with derision, dislike, and prejudice. It’s really bogus. Because there are only a very few of us volunteers who do this work in Chicago, and there are so many in need, we have chosen to prioritize the birds with no other choices, no other options. We have chosen a path of assisting shelters who have no other choice but to assist every being who comes in their doors.

This summer, we have assisted with two large scale cruelty situations, a recurring hoarder situation, multiple escapee situations that weren’t even birds, and on Friday we got notice of yet another large scale cruelty situation. We are here for that. Even though it’s going to reach well over a thousand birds. In one summer. We are also assisting fellow rescuers and sanctuaries nationwide who are dealing with similar situations. We are here for them. The animals who come from these situations literally have no other options other than us. Help us help them.

If you can volunteer with us, as a transporter, a foster home, an adopter, or in other ways, please direct message us. If you can donate, we will include a link in the comments. We need adopters more than ever now, including for disabled birds, and for birds who would do well as an indoor bird.

We really need your help right now, and so do our fellow rescuers. If you can offer some special birds a home, or us as rescuers any assistance, please send us a message or contribute to our fundraiser in the comments. Pictured below is one of our volunteers from our very first cockfighting bust, emptying the last cages to prepare birds to live their forever, good, well-deserved lives.

09/08/2025

In the area of rescue that we work in, we often find ourselves having to say no, reserving our capacity for those in the greatest need, who have no other options. In July of last year we received an ask we could not say no to. Look at the pictures below, and look at her adorable face! This was Annie. She was special: an individual we valued and cared for. She received the title of “best hen ever” from many who had the privilege to meet her. She was perfect, and this post is a tribute to her and the village who supported her.

Annie came to us with a broken leg. A Good Samaritan brought her to us, and we thank them. Chickens feel pain, and they suffer when they do not receive appropriate vet care and treatment. Thank you to our organizer Rebecca, the person who stepped up to get her what she needed.

Our wonderful vets did surgery to pin her leg and figure out how to give her the medical support she needed. During that time, Annie also was supported and loved by Rebecca and Matt, her devoted caregivers. Annie formed strong attachments to both of her caregivers, especially loving jumping into the lap of Matt, and blaming Rebecca for medications and vet visits.

Not unlike the journey of any other animal coming from rescue, Annie’s journey has been very complicated. She has been loved and cared for, but she faced tough challenges. Her leg required surgical pinning which was a hard process and surgery. She developed complications. As she went through these challenges, she maintained her good cheer, desire for treats, and will to live and her caregivers Rebecca and Matt supported her through all of that, no matter how tricky it got.

Annie’s personality, brilliance and quirkiness drew folks to her. When she went on meet and greets, her gentle nature and her love for attention and affection inspired people who had never met a chicken before. Her own story helped get people behind her. Annie taught so many people about the nature of chickens, their resilience, their affection, and how lovely they are as individuals. Many, many people stepped up because of who she was and how she was. She was so special that Rebecca and Matt decided that they would offer her a forever home with them and their feathered and furred family members.

Last week Annie had to undergo yet another surgery, this time to remove the pin in her leg which had begun to migrate. Sadly, while her spirits were strong and high, unfortunately her body could not carry her through this final surgery. In spite of all the best efforts of her caregivers and veterinarians, she passed away during surgery.

Annie will live on in the hearts of all who met her and got to know her. She changed hearts and minds, and while her work on this planet is done, the impacts of her life will persist. We love you Annie, Rebecca, Matt, and the entire staff of Niles Animal Hospital and Bird Medical Center, as well as all of the people who contributed to Annie’s care. Thank you to Mary at Chicken Run Rescue, our friend and ally in advocacy for these birds, for lighting a candle in Annie’s honor. May Annie’s light continue to shine.

08/17/2025

Please, look in comments to see a news story and find opportunities to donate. In Chicago we have opinions and feelings in the rescue community. We are also the city of big shoulders and those shoulders all lifted together last week. When Clyde the sheep busted through a window at a slaughterhouse and liberated himself there were many feelings. We were gratified to learn that many people agree that Clyde deserves to be free from fear, and to get the best sanctuary care possible and available. He has made his safe landing at Wildflowers Farm Sanctuary, a place who has given lifelong compassionate care to many of our bird survivors. This could not have been possible without the assistance of the incredible assistance of Chicago Animal Care and Control who saved him after his escape. It would never have been possible without the assistance of Chicago Chicken Rescue, who temporarily cared for Clyde while we found him placement and worked on transport. It certainly would have not been possible without the lifesaving assistance of Precious Cargo Rescue Rides. Thank you to Angela, Joey, Rubio, Christina, Vincent, Diego, Christy, Sonny, Rebecca, Christine, Mary, Lynn, and Cosmos. Every one here was volunteering to give this very scared boy his shot at the sanctuary life and we are grateful.

On Monday I was contacted by a couple people trying to find a permanent home for a sheep that escaped a downtown Chicago butcher and survived (full story in link). I was honored to say yes. It took a village (or in this case, a major metropolis) to save this guy. stepped up to the challenge and transported this big sheep out to the farm. He’s here now, and he’s safe. He’s a little sore and a lot skittish, but he’s resting and decompressing and healing. Next he’ll get a pedicure, a hair cut, surgically castrated, and well take in another sheep so he won’t be alone (goat friends just aren’t the same). Keep any eye out for future updates on this sweet guy!
HUGE THANK YOU to Chicagoans for cheering him on, for not taking him back to the butcher, Julia from for protecting him and coordinating everyone, Chicago Chicken Rescue for giving him immediate safety, and another extra huge shout out to for loading a bringing him our here. Please follow and like them! CBS covered the Chicago story link in comments.

07/16/2025

Many many thanks to all who helped Switcheroo find his home, including Precious Cargo Rescue Rides who dropped everything in a busy time to get him to safety. Lots of great partners in this work, and they're just awesome! Consider following and giving them a donation! We love transporters! Life saving work!

06/22/2025

Greetings friends. We have a big situation. PLEASE CHECK THE COMMENTS FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP.

As you know we have been closed to intake for some time due to the risks associated with HPAI. But one of the things we feel committed to is assisting shelters.

We have a large situation we have been trying to assist with. We want to thank the rescue partners and supporters who have helped us with this. We will include links in the comments for opportunities to support those indispensable folks. We attach a picture of how we are transporting baby birds, thoughtfully with A/C and watermelon provided in this dangerous heat. It’s hard but a lot of people are bringing birds to safety carefully, even with these dangerous temperatures. We owe special thanks to Precious Cargo Rescue Rides

If you can adopt juvenile roos or adult roos, please let us know. Those who have discussions pending with us, please shoot us additional direct messages. Those who are partway through our screening process, please check your messages. We are juggling a lot. Be patient, but we’re going to get to you.

Much gratitude to all

06/15/2025

A huge thank you and roo roo roo goes out today to Jenny Schlueter who adopted two of our three remaining hens in foster today.

Jenny has been a long term advocate (our friendaversary with her is now six years!) And she adopted and fostered ex fighters and others from us multiple times. Today she took in Moon and Sunflower, game hens who were found as strays in a tough situation. They join rooster Luis, who came from the second cockfighting bust we worked on in Chicago. Luis is delighted to have new friends, and Jenny is responsibly integrating them. We realized today that Luis is probably around 7 to 8 years old. He is so beautiful, doing so well, and is such a gentle kind being. He follows Jenny everywhere and is such a great friend to his hen companions. We look forward to seeing his roo love stories develop even more, as they have over the past five years. Thank you Jenny! Thank you to Christine, for fostering these birds for so many months!

As a heads up we will need help and good placements soon. If you can take survivors of cruelty let us know by messaging us! If you can help with transport or temp foster, message us!

We could also really use some donations now. We owe our absolutely incredible vets at Niles Animal Hospital and Bird Medical Center so much well deserved money on their end. Every dollar going to the Roo Crew goes right to that vet bill! We will include the link in the comments!

Love to all today!

03/29/2025

Our lovely friend Diane Mejia who is the genius behind Mindful Baking got a lovely feature on her work. Diane has uplifted the Roo Crew so many times...having us table her wonderful events, donating to our veterinary bills, and sharing the message of love for roosters. Not to mention her delicious food had nourished us so many times, and she had made special care boxes for our veterinarians. We could not be more happy for her! Consider a visit or an order to Mindful Baking so you too can experience the love!

We especially love how she is highlighting egg alternatives in this feature! Well done Diane!

A pastry chef on a quest to make sweets everyone can enjoy. Mindful Baking Cafe is a gluten-free, vegan bakery constantly evolving to keep up to date with ne...

03/26/2025

As of this moment, we are not doing bird intake due to the the risks of avian influenza, but we are still doing outreach, education, and support and caring for our resident and foster birds. We also believe in uplifting other organizations, especially those who have uplifted us and other organizations!

The Open Sanctuary Project is a really great organization that provides meticulously researched compassionate care information for farmed animals, and even more! Everything they make is free for all to access, including comprehensive courses on chicken care! They're celebrating their 8th anniversary and could use support, so consider a donation here!

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/fundraising/support-8-years-of-empathy-at-the-open-sanctuary-project

01/29/2025

ALERT!!!! Due to capacity limitations and the risk of HPAI, we have been closed to new bird intake, and will remain closed to intake until the risk abates and we have gotten our vet bills paid down. However, part of our mission is to assist our local shelters with placement whenever possible when it comes to birds or other farmed animals.

Today a shelter contacted us with regard to the seizure of twelve birds who may have come from a cruelty situation. Tomorrow we will assess these birds, but this shelter is very much at capacity and the situation is URGENT.

If you can foster or adopt a rooster under the following conditions, please send us a direct message! If you're not sure, but would like to learn more about this, you can also send us a message!

1. The bird must be quarantined and receive vet care if needed.

2. The bird should be kept indoors or if outdoors, with access to heated space, and with sufficient protection to protect him from the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza and predators.

3. It should go without saying, but we will only adopt to forever no kill homes, where birds are treated as companions.

Please DM us if you can help, and we will get more details as they become available.

12/31/2024

We hope so much that all our supporters and followers are enjoying a good end of year. Today we have a bit of a stressful message to share....tomorrow we will have a happy rescue story for end of year.

In addition to rescuing birds who have no other options, we also try to do educational outreach for those who care for birds compassionately.

We have raised the alarm about Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) multiple times over the years. Our rescuers and network all are cognizant of the risks. At this point, we must halt all bird intake for the protection of the existing birds in our care, and for the protection of our many caregivers and our veterinarians and their staff.

When it comes to advice on HPAI, we refer you to The Open Sanctuary Project, which is an objective organization that created eight separate resources on HPAI. We urge you to consider their main resource on HPAI as well as their biosecurity resource.

HPAI has impacted countless birds, wild-living mammals, and domesticated mammals and now humans. Please refer to the careful research done by OSP to protect your flocks and yourselves. Stay well, our dear friends and supporters, and care for every bird in your care.

A look at the viruses that cause avian influenza, how the disease is spread and manifests, and how to protect farmed bird residents.