Dylans Duck Coop / Deck Project
Donation protected
You may have heard of the story of our son Dylan and his fight to keep his emotional support ducks (Nibbles and Bill). Dylan is a 13 year old high functioning Autistic boy who made national headlines this summer after some neighbors complained about his Emotional Support Animals, his ducks. These complaints turned into a notice from the township to remove the ducks because of a zoning ordinance. However, the ducks had already been designated as emotional support animals a long time ago and Dylan’s rights were protected as such. After a lengthy process of requiring a variance and two zoning board of appeals meeting the township has outlined how Dylan can keep his ducks, in an unanimous vote of 5-0 citing overwhelming legal support. Dylan was thrilled! Once that hurdle was overcome we had to come to an agreement with the homeowners association. We are finalizing that agreement at this time and hope to finish it soon.
After the township approval process people asked how they could help and some have offered to help build the coop, provide labor, etc. and we are very grateful. However, one major hurdle is that the HOA would like to see the coop placed under the back deck out of the sight of the neighbors, but we do not have any space under the current deck. So, we need to extend our deck to create more space and enclose the area underneath for Dylan, Nibbles and Bill. We will place the coop, pond, and everything they and Dylan need under the deck according to the township requirements.
The problem is the cost is significant. We need to extend the deck, add stairs, install a ceiling under the deck to keep the area dry, a small pond, fencing/railings, lattice and plantings to screen the coop area, etc. And we need to do it soon as the township requires us to start coop construction right away and the weather in Michigan is starting to turn very wet. Dylan’s dad will be doing the work and a local contractor has agreed to donate his labor and expertise in building the deck. Together they will do the construction, but we could use help in buying the materials. If you want to help in this final phase of Dylan keeping his ducks to purchase the materials needed you can donate to this cause. All proceeds will go towards the building materials needed.
Donating to this cause will help Dylan enjoy a dry and secure area to spend time with Nibbles and Bill, while still meeting the township requirements for containing them.
After the township approval process people asked how they could help and some have offered to help build the coop, provide labor, etc. and we are very grateful. However, one major hurdle is that the HOA would like to see the coop placed under the back deck out of the sight of the neighbors, but we do not have any space under the current deck. So, we need to extend our deck to create more space and enclose the area underneath for Dylan, Nibbles and Bill. We will place the coop, pond, and everything they and Dylan need under the deck according to the township requirements.
The problem is the cost is significant. We need to extend the deck, add stairs, install a ceiling under the deck to keep the area dry, a small pond, fencing/railings, lattice and plantings to screen the coop area, etc. And we need to do it soon as the township requires us to start coop construction right away and the weather in Michigan is starting to turn very wet. Dylan’s dad will be doing the work and a local contractor has agreed to donate his labor and expertise in building the deck. Together they will do the construction, but we could use help in buying the materials. If you want to help in this final phase of Dylan keeping his ducks to purchase the materials needed you can donate to this cause. All proceeds will go towards the building materials needed.
Donating to this cause will help Dylan enjoy a dry and secure area to spend time with Nibbles and Bill, while still meeting the township requirements for containing them.
Organizer
Mark R. Dyke
Organizer
Hudsonville, MI
