Listen to this articleMany organizations and businesses in Georgetown are coming together to help a duck in need. Polly, an adult female Pekin duck missing half of her bill, was found and taken to the All Things Wild Rehabilitation Center in Georgetown, Texas. Southwestern University’s Makerspace 3D Print Studio offered to design and print a 3D replica of Polly’s bill, so Georgetown’s Wag Heaven Pet Supplies and Self-Serve Dog Wash are holding a fundraiser to help raise money for in the process, selling Plush Duck dog toys.
Helen Laughlin, president of All Things Wild Rehabilitation, said it is unknown how Polly’s bill got lost.
“But Polly remains a happy, friendly duck,” Laughlin added. “He was always knocking, greeting the staff when they arrived in the morning and often wandering around the center.”
Laughlin spoke with Dr. Laura Hobgood, co-chair of the Environmental Studies program at Southwestern University and dog rescue coordinator for Georgetown Animal Outreach. When he heard about Polly’s injury, he contacted the University’s 3D print studio about the possibility of making a prosthetic bill.
Laughlin and Hobgood are both longtime friends of Wag Heaven Pet Supplies and Self-Serve Dog Wash owners, Jusak Yang Bernhard and Jeff Manley.
“When we learned about Polly’s duck bill project, we eagerly offered to help with the fundraising efforts,” explained Manley, adding that Wag Heaven is partnering with Pet Lou Toys for a toy fundraiser drive, with proceeds donated to All Things Wild.
Each bright yellow toy with a duck-sounding squeaker comes with a greeting postcard from Polly and a pledge of support with donations collected for medical care and nursing for Polly and other orphans and injured ducks brought to All Things Wild this year. Local Georgetown artist and animator Morgan Smith illustrated the greeting card cover, and Roberts Printing of Georgetown donated printing and supplies for the card.
Pekin ducks, also known as White Pekin ducks, are a US domestic breed that originated in China. These ducks are raised for their eggs and meat, as well as to be barnyard pets. The famous Donald Duck is a Pekin duck, as well as the duck in AFLAC commercials.
A duck’s bill is used for various purposes, such as feeding, grooming, communication, nest building and courtship. While Polly’s loss of account makes it difficult for her to eat, she manages to suck her food down. Her main disability is grooming, so she often swims in the pelican pool, with the pelican Boudreaux of All Things Wild, where Polly submerges her entire body in the water.
All Things Wild Rehabilitation rescues and rehabilitates sick, injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife and releases them back into the wild. The organization’s medical team noted that a duck bill can grow larger if more than one-third of the bill remains.
“We noticed some signs of regrowth,” Laughlin said. “But the 3D bill will help Polly with everyday functions now.”
