While most rescues and humane societies in Maine specialize in cats, dogs or horses, Red Roo Rescue may be the only one in the state to specialize in roosters. That’s partly because roosters are not a popular pet: they don’t lay eggs and their constant crowing can irritate neighbors. But for Nevada Rooney, roosters are perfect just the way they are.
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The 16-year-old Rooney, an agrarian animal expert who hopes to be a veterinarian, noticed how people seemed to always give away rosters for free, due to their crowing and lack of eggs. “Eventually I was like ‘You know what? I’m going to collect some roosters,’” Rooney said. “I’m just going to save some and try to find new homes for them where they’re appreciated.”
Rooney’s flock kept growing, to the point where now she even has a ‘special needs’ coop for birds that are blind or have other problems. She built a website, and soon people were driving three or four hours to drop off or adopt animals from her.
Hens, ducks, goats, turkeys and Sebastopol geese also live in Rooney’s rescue. These geese took up the job of protecting other animals from threats like foxes, or this reporter, at whom they hissed when he first arrived at the shelter.
To afford feeding the animals, Rooney works two jobs doing housework and dog-sitting. She also gets some money from drop-off donations and adoption fees, but it’s barely enough to cover food and equipment expenses. “I don’t make any money,” said Rooney, “and I spend all of my money on my animals.”