Rescue
Disabled duck finally gets to waddle
His first steps were captured on video and it's the sweetest moment ever!
Ashley Fike
06.25.19

You’re about to meet a very special duck named Merlin. Merlin was born with a birth defect in his left leg that left him immobile. But thanks to an incredible invention–Merlin can waddle everywhere he pleases.

Merlin is a domesticated duck and was adopted in 2018 by the Goats of Anarchy Sanctuary located in Annandale, New Jersey.

Handicapped Pets
Source:
Handicapped Pets

The rescue group quickly noticed Merlin’s disability and realized that the poor thing couldn’t swim or walk properly. That’s when they decided to get in contact with another organization called Walkin’ Pets. They are a business that helps create walking and mobility aids for animals. How amazing is that?!

Walkin’ Pets is located in Amherst, New Hampshire and as soon as they heard Merlin’s story, they knew they wanted to help. So, they began to brainstorm.

Never having built a wheelchair for a duck before, Walkin’ Pets started to get some ideas by altering a wheelchair normally used by a cat or dog.

Handicapped Pets
Source:
Handicapped Pets

After a bit of tweaking and modification, they finally had a wheelchair that would work perfectly for a duck. They gave it to Merlin and just like that–he was waddling about, happy as can be.

“I was thrilled my company was able to help a handicapped duck, our first one ever,” said the founder of Walkin’ Pets, Mark Robinson.

Walkin’ Pets’ social media co-ordinator Mikayla Feehan was able to capture some adorable footage of Merlin’s first steps.

“We took a road trip to New Jersey earlier this month to visit Goats of Anarchy, who rescue disabled animals.

“Merlin was born with an injured leg and they reached out to us to fit him with a wheelchair.

“We have never made one for a duck so one of our engineers adjusted a mini quad wheelchair just for him. Watching him take his first steps was really cool.

“Once he was all rigged up, it was truly amazing. It’s not every day you get to see animals take their first steps.

“The wheelchair can go into water we would just recommend avoiding salt water to keep the wheelchair in tip top shape,” she said.

Handicapped Pets
Source:
Handicapped Pets

Keep reading for the sweet video of Merlin below.

Since they first opened shop in 2001, Walkin’ Pets has provided walking and mobility aids to more than 50,000 animals across the world. Their work is absolutely amazing and we applaud them for all that they do.

Everyone was thrilled to see Merlin make his first strides right in front of their eyes. It was a rewarding moment for everyone involved and it’s obvious that Merlin couldn’t have been happier and more grateful.

Thanks to modern technology, there have been so many uplifting stories of animals taking their first steps–an life-changing moment for them.

Handicapped Pets
Source:
Handicapped Pets

There was the time that a baby goat gets a wheelchair and can’t contain her excitement when she realizes she can move around freely.

Or when an adorable puppy named Frosty gets to take his first steps. He was born with deformed legs and never knew what it was like to run around.

And a similar story where a goose named PJ was provided a mobility aid and tears flowed when she walked around for the first time.

We absolutely love stories like this and Merlin’s incredible journey and first steps can be seen in the precious video below.

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