🚨 KEY WEST'S CHICKENS NEED US AGAIN! 🐓❤️ Important Update for Our 18,353 Supporters

Dear supporters,

First, I want to thank all 18,353 of you who have signed our petition to protect Key West's beloved chickens. Your voices have made a difference, and I'm reaching out because there have been some important developments regarding their future.

🐓 The City Has Voted to End Chicken Services at the Wildlife Center
On October 1, 2026, the Key West City Commission approved Resolution 26-5912, removing chicken handling and relocation services, along with their associated funding, from the city's agreement with the Key West Wildlife Center.

This decision has already been made.

My biggest concern is what happens to the sick, injured, and displaced chickens that still need assistance.

In September, I personally corresponded with Thomas Sweets, Executive Director of the Key West Wildlife Center, who explained why the organization was discontinuing its chicken program.

🦠 Let's Clear Up the Avian Influenza Concerns — Facts, Not Fearmongering!
Thomas Sweets explained that the avian influenza outbreak prompting the suspension of their chicken program occurred in Lee County, where chickens from Key West had previously been relocated.

The concern was also about the potential transmission of disease between feral chickens and migratory wild birds housed at the same facility.

This was a precautionary decision, NOT confirmation of an avian influenza outbreak among Key West's chickens.

Avian influenza is a legitimate concern, and appropriate precautions are necessary. However, an outbreak in another county should not be presented as proof that our local chickens are infected or spreading disease.

If confirmed cases exist among Key West's chickens, I believe the city should provide the public with the testing data, dates, and locations.

Our community deserves transparency and accurate information.

⚠️ Concerning Remarks From Our Elected Officials
I'm also deeply disappointed by the rhetoric surrounding our chickens.

District 2 Commissioner Mark Rossi, owner of Rick's Bar and associated with the Red Garter Saloon/strip club on Duval Street, reportedly made the following remark during a discussion about the chickens:

"I'm going to put the chickens in the boiling water and turn it up, let's go. Winner winner chicken dinner."

I find this incredibly disturbing coming from someone elected to represent our community.

Commissioner Aaron Castillo has also made comments about chickens defecating on people's heads.

I understand that residents and business owners have legitimate sanitation concerns, but is this really how we want our elected officials discussing living animals?

We live in Key West, FLORIDA. Wildlife is part of our environment!

Birds make noise. Animals leave droppings. Sharing our surroundings with other living creatures requires patience and responsible management.

As someone with business interests along Duval Street, Commissioner Rossi may have legitimate concerns about chickens congregating near commercial establishments. But those concerns should be addressed through constructive, humane policies, not jokes about boiling animals alive.

Our elected officials should be setting an example of professionalism, compassion, and responsible leadership.

🌴 A Potential New Facility for Key West's Chickens
During a recent City Commission meeting, I heard discussion about identifying city-owned land with electricity and water for a potential chicken facility.

This could be an encouraging development, but we need answers.

Would the facility be operated by the Key West Wildlife Center under a new agreement, or would another organization take responsibility?

Would it primarily serve sick, injured, or displaced chickens, or is the city considering a broader trapping and removal program?

I believe healthy chickens should continue roaming freely throughout Key West, while those needing assistance should have access to appropriate rescue and veterinary care.

We need to know exactly what the city intends to do before another program is implemented.

🚫 We Already Have a Law Against Feeding Chickens!
One of the simplest solutions I've continued advocating for is clear, visible signage throughout Key West reminding residents and tourists that feeding chickens is prohibited under City Ordinance §10-11(b).

The city has previously identified fines of $250 for a first offense and $500 for a second.

Yet how many visitors actually know feeding chickens is prohibited?

Feeding encourages chickens to congregate in heavily trafficked areas, contributes to population pressures, and can create sanitation problems.

Why aren't we prioritizing education and enforcement before considering more drastic measures?

I've previously discussed educational signage and public outreach with city leadership and am following up on the current budget.

I'm also interested in exploring whether eligible tourism-related funding could support these initiatives. Our chickens are part of Key West's history and cultural identity, and visitors come from around the world to experience our island's unique character.

❤️ What Happens Next?
I'm continuing to advocate for:

Clear no-feeding signage and public education.
Humane, evidence-based population management.
Dedicated rescue and veterinary services for sick and injured chickens.
Transparency regarding avian influenza and any confirmed local cases.
Clarification about the proposed city-owned chicken facility.
Protection of healthy, free-roaming chickens from unnecessary trapping and removal.
Responsible funding, oversight, and accountability.
Our original petition was created when the city was considering trapping, bounty programs, and potential euthanasia. We came together because we believed Key West deserved a more compassionate approach.

That hasn't changed.

18,353 people have signed this petition because these chickens matter.

They're part of our island's history, culture, and identity. They deserve more than being treated as disposable inconveniences.

I'm continuing to communicate with city leadership, including Mayor Sam Kaufman, and will share updates as I learn more.

Please continue sharing this petition, attending commission meetings, and speaking up for humane, responsible solutions.

We can protect public health, maintain clean public spaces, support local businesses, and treat animals with compassion.

These goals are not mutually exclusive.

Thank you for standing with our chickens. 🐓❤️

With gratitude,

Isabella Marie Warner
Key West Chicken Advocate