On a bitterly cold January night in Michigan, Matthew and Theresa Lyson were settling in at home when their phone rang.
As founders of the Michigan Duck Rescue and Sanctuary, the couple is used to receiving urgent rescue calls at all hours — and they rarely ignore them.
“We try to answer every chance we get because helpless angels in need don’t operate on a schedule,” Matthew Lyson shared on Facebook.
This time, a woman named Pam was on the line. She had spotted a heartbreaking sight near her home: thirteen ducks huddled tightly together, abandoned and exposed to the freezing cold. She sent a video, and within minutes, the Lysons were on the road.
“It was just so sad,” Lyson wrote. “The neglected baker’s dozen were cuddled in a ball, just seeking community warmth.”
They drove 45 minutes through the icy darkness to reach the ducks, even though their usual volunteers were already busy with another rescue. When they arrived, Pam and a group of concerned neighbors were already standing by to help.
“The ducks were barely 20 feet from two roads, in the cold, dark night — literally starving to death in ‘feels like 13-degree’ temperatures,” Lyson wrote.
Pam explained that the ducks had once belonged to a nearby household. But the owners had left, and the ducks had been forgotten.
While some neighbors thought someone else was caring for them, it had been at least ten days since they’d had proper food or water.
The Lysons came up with a quiet, gentle approach to avoid scaring the freezing birds. Instead of using nets right away, they placed two carriers near the flock and slowly tightened the circle with the help of the neighbors.
“Most of the thirteen went in with little resistance,” Lyson wrote. “A few made us chase them a bit — but even they seemed to know it was too cold for games.”
Once all the ducks were safely rounded up, the Lysons checked for any stragglers and headed back home. That night, the ducks finally rested in a warm barn, full from a hearty meal and safe from the cold.
It would’ve been easy for the Lysons to ignore the phone that night. But their unwavering compassion saved thirteen lives.
“We can always come back to the comfort of the warm house,” Lyson said. “The animals cannot.”
If you'd like to support their efforts, you can make a donation to Michigan Duck Rescue and Sanctuary here.
