By Becky Holland
What started as a simple love for animals has turned into something a little more unusual for one Danville resident—raising an emu.
Avery Cavanah, 20, has always had a passion for animals. A 2024 graduate of Bleckley County High School and now a business major at Middle Georgia State University, Avery’s home is already filled with goats, dogs, cats and chickens.
But now, there’s Gerald.
Yes—Gerald is an emu.
Now about eight weeks old, Gerald came into Avery’s life in an unexpected way.
“People I knew had adult emus and asked if I wanted an egg,” she said. “I wasn’t even sure it would survive, but I figured—why not?”
Hatching an emu is no small task. Avery carefully incubated the egg, rotating it by hand three times a day.
“It took a while,” she said. “At first, it cracked a hole and wasn’t making a sound. It was a big surprise when it finally hatched.”
Once Gerald arrived, Avery sent off for DNA testing and learned the emu was male.
Now growing quickly, Gerald already stands nearly to Avery’s knee—and she’s about 5-foot-4.
The name “Gerald” came before he even hatched.
“My boyfriend named it,” she said with a laugh. “I thought it was silly, but it stuck.”
Silly might be the perfect word to describe him.
Gerald is full of curiosity and personality. He enjoys splashing in puddles, running alongside the dogs and, according to Avery, seems to think he is one of them.
“He’s attached to my hip,” she said. “And he loves jewelry—just like me.”
Raising an emu comes with challenges. At this stage, Gerald’s legs are still fragile, requiring careful attention to prevent injury.
“It’s very important that we’re cautious,” Avery said. “I just want to make sure he has a good life.”
Gerald lives in a secure, fenced enclosure with a covered top to protect him from predators, giving him plenty of room to roam safely.
And while Gerald may be the newest addition, he’s not the only animal drawing attention.
There’s also Dolly, Avery’s miniature goat, whom she has raised since she was five weeks old.
“She thinks I’m her momma,” Avery said.
Dolly often accompanies Avery on outings to places like Tractor Supply and even drive-thrus, quickly becoming a favorite wherever she goes.
Gerald, it seems, is a fan of Dolly—but the feeling isn’t entirely mutual.
“Gerald loves her,” Avery said. “Dolly’s not too sure about him.”
Together, the two have become something of a local attraction, with their adventures shared on Avery’s TikTok and other social media platforms.
For Avery, it’s all part of doing what she loves.
“It’s fun for me,” she said.
Photos by Avery Cavanah
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