An ostrich farm in Edgewood, British Columbia is seeking support as the federal government continues to push for the slaughter of nearly 400 healthy birds.
A judicial review is scheduled to take place at the courthouse in Vancouver on April 15-16 to decide the fate of the flock.
"The legal fees are climbing," Universal Ostrich Farm co-owner Karen Espersen said during BC Rising's weekly Zoom meeting on Wednesday. "Every donation is very very much appreciated."
Over $103,000 has been raised thus far, mainly through GoFundMe and GiveSendGo.
"Why does the government not hear the trauma echoing in your voice?" Espersen's daughter, Katie Pasitney, wrote in a post on Facebook. "Why do they not see the pain, the loss, the injustice? Why do they shield their ears from the truth when these creatures hold answers that could change the path of avian science — and even human health?
She made it clear that their fight "isn't just about ostriches," rather, "this is about truth. About letting science speak louder than fear. About protecting the living instead of destroying them to cover agendas."
"It's now or never," Pasitney added. "Rise up all agricultural industries to create our own laws, policies. You raised them you know them the best not [Canadian Food Inspection Agency]."
The CFIA originally ordered the birds killed by February 1 after two of their deceased herd-mates tested positive for H5N1, better known as avian flu. It was only on January 31 that the emergency injunction was filed, calling for a judicial review to be completed before any animal was slaughtered.
The government called into question whether the injunction only applies to the family, or if the CFIA can cull the birds themselves. At one point the agency even considered asking hunters to do the deed.
The saga began in December, when an avian flu outbreak was declared at the farm. Espersen said she believed the disease was brought to their property by a flock of migrating ducks, who took shelter in the barn.
Initially, the farm saw as many as four ostriches dying per day, but eventually the deaths petered out. Pasitney said this was evidence that the birds had acquired herd immunity.
Nonetheless, when the CFIA got wind of the outbreak in December, they sent a team out to investigate, and after testing two carcasses, determined that the entire herd had to be culled. This was incomprehensible to the owners and their families, who have developed strong relationships with each individual bird.