When Felicia Fullerton saw a Facebook post about a duck with a fishing hook lodged in its mouth at Yellow Creek Park, she didn’t hesitate to take action. Over the course of two days, Fullerton and a group of volunteers worked tirelessly to rescue the injured bird, which the group has named Daisy.
The saga began on a Saturday evening when Fullerton was tagged in a post shared in an Owensboro community group on Facebook. The post was made by Janice Hutchinson and revealed the duck had been suffering for weeks without assistance from local wildlife officials.
As an avid duck enthusiast, Fullerton felt compelled to help.
“That night, I loaded up a bag of feed, a throw net, and two kayaks,” Fullerton said. “We spent about two hours trying to catch her, but she was too fast and flighty.”
Fullerton enlisted the help of Yellow Creek Park security guard Dwayne, who agreed to unlock the gates early the next morning for another rescue attempt. By 7 a.m. Sunday, Fullerton and a small group, including Hutchinson, were back at the park.
The rescue proved challenging, as the duck — named Daisy by Hutchinson — repeatedly eluded their efforts. Finally, after four hours and several attempts, Fullerton used a kayak to tire Daisy out. As the duck resurfaced near her kayak, Fullerton reached into the water and pulled her out.
“It was insane. I didn’t think I’d be able to catch her, but then there she was,” Fullerton said. “I just grabbed her and held her tight as we kayaked back to shore.”
Daisy was found with a three-pronged hook embedded in her mouth and cheek; the hook had also pierced her tongue. Fullerton, with the help of others, removed the hooks.
She began administering antibiotics and a soft-food diet. Daisy is a Khaki Campbell — a domestic, flightless breed — and is now recovering in Fullerton’s care.
“She’s doing great. She even loves car rides,” Fullerton said. “She’s part of the family now.”
Fullerton’s love for ducks began in 2019 when she adopted her first two. Over time, her hobby evolved into a mission to rescue abandoned waterfowl, many of which are dumped at local parks by people who can no longer care for them. Fullerton now has more than 30 ducks — along with geese, turkeys, and chickens — at her home.
Inspired by Daisy’s rescue, Fullerton launched a GoFundMe campaign to build floating shelters at parks where ducks are frequently abandoned. The initiative has already garnered support from local businesses and veterans, who plan to help construct the shelters once County approval is granted.
“This isn’t just about the ducks — it’s about bringing the community together and spreading kindness,” Fullerton said. “We want to make sure these animals have a safe place and a chance at life.”
Fullerton hopes to present her proposal for the shelters at the next Fiscal Court meeting in January. In the meantime, she continues to advocate for local wildlife and care for Daisy and her flock.
“Every animal deserves love, and every small act of kindness can make a big difference,” she said.
