Pet of the Week: Bernard

This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Bernard, a rooster who likes to hold crowing contests with other roosters and learn new tricks.

Here is what his caretaker Kelly had to say:

Hi there! My name is Bernard and I am a cute and adorable rooster! I was found abandoned as a stray in Arlington, during the midst of the freezing cold spell several weeks ago.

By the time animal control discovered me, I had already developed moderate frostbite on my lovely comb. I was transferred to the Fairfax animal shelter, where I sat alone and waited for somebody to want to adopt me.

Normally this would have taken many weeks to months, but thankfully, my new mom saw that I was in need of adoption through Adopt a Bird Network — a local startup non-profit which helps promote the presence of adoptable backyard fowl in animal shelters nationwide.

I was so incredibly happy when I saw her smile at me for the first time and scoop me up into her arms. I think that day will forever be the happiest day of my life… I am so thankful she found me.

Now I live with a group of other rescued and adopted roosters from the area, where we peacefully co-exist in our own little ‘bachelor flock’, within a predator-proofed enclosure.

My favorite activities are being cuddled by my new mom, crowing contests with the other roosters, my daily supervised free ranging sessions with a couple lady hens and learning tricks. Right now I am being taught how to jump through a hula hoop!

Please consider opening your heart to other roosters like me — there are so many of us who are dumped by backyard chicken owners, as soon as they discover we are males and not females.

In 2017 there was close to 2,500 of us throughout the different Virginia shelters, which is a two-fold increase from 2016. There is a huge misconception about us for we are every bit affectionate as a dog or cat and make wonderful companions as house roosters, protectors of hens, and can peacefully co-exist with multiple roosters. Oh and follow Adopt a Bird Network too.

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Please don’t send vertical photos, they don’t fit in our photo galleries!

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care is the winner of six consecutive Angie’s List Super Service Awards, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year and a proud supporter of the Arlington County Pawsitively Prepared Campaign.

Becky’s Pet Care provides professional dog walking and pet sitting in Arlington and all of Northern Virginia, as well as PetPrep training courses for Pet Care, CPR and emergency preparedness.