A Smelly Situation
Here at Operation Orphan Wildlife Rehabilitation Inc, we have to carry a large variety of foods to care for the animals, since every species has their own diet. Today’s story illustrates the challenge of keeping these different kinds of foods around for the animals.
One unusually hot summer, several years ago, we had several Green Back and Great Blue Heron that had been brought into the center either injured or as babies. Along with live fish, I purchased frozen smelt (a type of fish) to give them.
It finally came time to release the birds. With leftover smelt still in the freezer, Ron and I took all the animals with us for a few days while I did a program at a campground. Upon arriving home and stepping into the door, a smell hit me that was awful. I could not figure out what died in the building! When I opened the door of the freezer, I was almost taken to my knees, gagging. The refrigerator quit running and the smelt had thawed along with everything else that was inside. Do you have any kind of an idea how bad rotted smelt and food smells?!!
I ended up having to power wash the refrigerator and freezer just to kill the awful odor. Once out of the house, the plastic bags that held the rotten smelt had to sit on the curb until the trash truck came by to pick it up. I felt sorry for those that passed by because plastic holds odors, causing anyone passing to gag. UGH!
Some things I have no control over; a refrigerator breaking is one of those things. I just hope one NEVER EVER quits working again when I am away.
What an awful experience (and I even have a strong stomach! Lol)!
Copyright 2017 Fran Kitchen
Operation Orphan Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization and does not receive federal funding. We are supported entirely through private donations, memberships, and proceeds from our education programs. To Donate visit our website here.
