FAQ
What time will the ducks be plucked?
The Desert Duck Derby winners will be announced in a special pre-made video released at 5:30 pm (Arizona Time) on Thursday, October 23rd. Duck adoptions close at 5:00 pm that day, so you can get involved right up until the event begins!
Where can I watch the event?
The announcement video will premiere on The Arizona Pet Project’s Facebook Page:
�� facebook.com/thearizonapetproject
How will I know if my duck wins?
Winning ducks will be announced in the video, and winners will also be contacted directly by our team. Any prize left unclaimed after 30 days will go to a substitute winner, drawn randomly from all entries.
Can I adopt a duck for my child?
Yes, but the name on the adoption paper must be in the name of an adult (18 and older) for legal purposes.
Are they real ducks or rubber ducks?
Rubber ducks, silly!
Do I get a duck or get to keep one?
No, after you adopt your duck, The Arizona Pet Project will work hard to train, coach, and make sure they are ready for race day. After the duck pluck, all of the ducks will fly off to their next race somewhere in the USA.
How much do ducks cost to adopt?
Single duck: $5
Six Quack (6): $25
Quacker's Dozen (15): $60
Flock of Ducks (25): $100
Can I adopt ducks the day of the Desert Duck Derby Duck Pluck?
Yes! As long as ducks are still available, adoptions are open until 5:00 pm on October 23rd.
Do all of my ducks get the same number?
No. Each duck adopted is tagged with its own lucky duck number and those numbers are assigned to you. A few days prior to the Desert Duck Derby, volunteers will place numbered tags on the bottom of every duck that will be in the Derby - which is 10,000! The tags are waterproof labels beginning with a 7 digit number and ending with a 7 digit number. For Example: 2475001-2498000; 2475002-2498000; etc.
What is my tag number?
We can’t give you your tag number because we won’t know it until we run the Mix Report right before the race. We want to make sure that no ducky is taking steroids and the race is not fixed so numbers are never given out. However, rest assured that all of the ducks you have adopted will be in the pond.
How does it work?
Everyone who adopts a duck, whether online or in a sponsoring business, is entered into what we call E-Quack, a database that stores all of the information. Next to your name in E-Quack is the number of ducks you have adopted. The tag range is entered into E-Quack and all the numbers are shuffled up. Then, E-Quack automatically assigns the number of ducks you have adopted next to Tag Numbers. Thus, if you adopted 5 ducks, your name will be placed next to 5 different tag numbers.
Who does the event benefit?
The Desert Duck Derby is a unique collaboration between The Arizona Pet Project, UMOM New Day Centers, and Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS). Together, we’re creating a model of care that strengthens families, keeps pets and people together, and provides shelter and stability in times of crisis.
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The Arizona Pet Project provides resources and programs that prevent pet surrender, helping families keep their beloved companions during difficult times.
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UMOM New Day Centers is the largest homeless services provider in Arizona, offering shelter, housing, and support services to families in need. Thanks to this partnership, families entering UMOM’s programs can now keep their pets with them, offering comfort and stability in times of transition.
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CASS (Central Arizona Shelter Services) is the largest and longest-serving homeless emergency shelter provider in Arizona, offering critical services and resources to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. By working together, CASS, UMOM, and The Arizona Pet Project are making sure no family has to choose between their pet and safe shelter.
As Leanna Taylor, CEO of The Arizona Pet Project, shares:
“We are excited to create a model for our community that can inspire others nationwide. By uniting with UMOM and CASS, we’re proving that compassion can—and should—extend to the whole family, pets included.”
For more information, visit:
�� azpetproject.org
�� umom.org
�� cassaz.org