In the past year, a lot of owners have been crossing the road with their chickens — only to leave them at the Seattle Animal Shelter in Interbay. According to the PI, nearly every day at least one rooster has been in one of shelter’s large pens. In a year, more than two dozen roosters have been left there.

It’s the owners, not the birds, who have been laying eggs. They thought the chicks they bought either for their lovable looks or for their potential to provide breakfast were hens.

“It’s hard for people to tell if they’re hens or roosters,” according to animal care officer Michael Kokernak. “Even people who claim to be experts make mistakes.  It’s sad, because people think they’re disposable,” said Kokernak.  He says they have gotten roosters from all Seattle neighborhoods. 

It’s legal for some Seattle property owners to have roosters. But it’s the noise that really causes problems.

Magnolia and Queen Anne residents tell staffers at the Interbay shelter they can hear the roosters from their homes. When volunteers arrive at 7 a.m., the roosters are announcing the morning — and have been for hours.

Last week, the shelter had four roosters. But they adopted out one by saying whoever took two peacocks that had been left at the shelter should take a rooster, too. Kokernak said the Seattle Animal Shelter doesn’t have a specific timetable for adoptable pets, so the roosters won’t be killed. They do, however, interview potential adopters to make sure the roosters will have enough space.