FUNKY CHICKEN FOLKS REMEMBER URGENCY

Luck, support, a plan helped them survive LNU Lightning Complex Fire

On a recent day at Funky Chicken Animal Sanctuary, Zara the emu happily drummed while Rocky the Great Pyrenees herded visitors past a troupe of curious alpacas to Scooter, a wheelchair-bound lamb happily launching himself at Corn Nut the goat in play.

The joy was palpable, the rust-colored skies a smoky reminder of weeks past, when the LNU Lightning Complex Fire had inspired a more anxious, frenetic state in those on the

English Hills property.

Darcy Smith remembered the worry she’d felt that early August nightturned morning, fearing for her family and rescue animals. And just like that they were packing, unwilling to wait any longer for official word of any danger.

“We were evacuating before we got notice from the Sheriff,” she said.”We had friends helping us load trucks. A lady showed up, I didn’t know her. She said

‘Stick ‘em in my car,’ and we stuck chickens in her car.”

It was a surreal moment, but they traded information and the woman pampered the Smith family’s chickens for three days.

“They were spoiled,” Smith said, reflecting on the day she went to gather her flock.

The morning of the fire, the smoke had been thick, Smith said, emphasizing a feeling of urgency.

“You could hear everybody’s propane tanks exploding,” she said, “and you could see the fire coming.”

Solano CART took the emus to the animal evacuation center at the Solano County Fairgrounds in Vallejo while the family headed to a friend’s place to unload the animals they could catch.

It was so hard to leave anyone behind, she said, but a decision had to be made. There was an ample supply of water and the family hoped to return soon for another rescue attempt.

For three days, Darcy, her husband and daughter slept in their vehicles, the dogs and special needs chickens alongside them. Quarters were tight, but they got through.

Just knowing that everyone was safe, and their home still standing, was everything.

Funky Chicken gained nonprofit status two years ago. It is a forever home to many disabled animals. Some are blind, some permanently injured in other ways.

In total, there are about 200 chickens along with sheep, goats, horses, alpacas, dogs, cats, emus and more.

All are important, Smith said, and all are loved.

It’s obvious the animals share the sentiment, as they come running whenever a family member is near.

Smith credits luck, supporters and an evacuation plan for keeping everyone safe.

“We are grateful for all the help,” she said.

If anyone is so inclined, Funky Chicken has a wish list on Amazon/ Food for the animals and crates to help transport them are always welcome.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/imthefunkychicken.

PHOTOS BY JOEL ROSENBAUM — THE REPORTER Darcy Smith, of the Funky Chicken Animal Rescue and Sanctuary in Allendale hugs Zara, a one-eyed emu, that they rescued at the beginning of the year from a family that could no longer care for her and her mate, Romeo after losing their home.

When Darcy Smith rescued “Scooter,” a young ram (right,) and his mother, “Mama” (left) from a rancher in Healdsburg he was unable to use his back legs and would drag them.

JOEL ROSENBAUM — THE REPORTER Darcy Smith feeds a portion of her flock of chickens at her animal rescue sanctuary in Allendale Wednesday that have been rescued by community members, the SPCA, and from egg farms.