United Poultry Concerns, Inc.
PO Box 150, Machipongo, VA 23405-0150
Phone: 757-678-7875 • FAX: 757-678-5070
www.upc-online.org • info@upc-online.org

October 12, 2020

The Honorable Louis DeJoy
Postmaster General
United States Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plaza West, SW
Washington, DC 20260
Via USPS

Dear Mr. DeJoy:

Recent news relating to the United States Postal Service has revealed the suffering and death of thousands of newborn chicks in delivery boxes in Maine, Ohio, and other states as a result of backups and other issues currently affecting the US Postal Service.

The current situation highlights what is in fact an ongoing, unsolvable problem. Postal Service shipments of chickens, ducks and other small animals through the mail, including airmail, have been identified for decades with the suffering and death of these animals. Shipping live animals through the Postal Service should be prohibited.

Baby chicks and other small animals shipped through the Postal Service as “perishable matter” frequently go without food and water for two or more days due to transit delays, long hauls and other events unavoidable in the circumstances. They are shipped, not like a dog or a cat whose transit is paid for by a caring owner. Instead they are shipped cheap, like luggage, without proper temperature, ventilation, handling and care for these fragile creatures.

We respectfully urge you to review the United States Postal Service practice of shipping baby chicks and other small animals with a view to eliminating the practice. Please advise what steps you will take. We look forward to hearing from you as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

Karen Davis, PhD
President
United Poultry Concerns
12325 Seaside Road, PO Box 150
Machipongo, VA 23405
Office: 757-678-7875
Email: Karen@UPC-online.org

 

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