A little volunteering

[psychocircus91]

Had the opportunity to volunteer today at Ruffled Feathers in PA. They are transitioning to this larger facility. Looking forward to many more days here; it was a great and exhausting time. I can honestly say, after my experience today, I will likely never "purchase" a bird again. The magnitude of those in need of homes is something I had to experience to get a real grasp on.

 

[wrench13]

Good on you for volunteering! I would bet you got more out of the experience then they did. Kalani doing well I assume? She will benefit from your experiences there too.

 

[Kiwibird]

Thanks so much for helping these beautiful birdies out! I hope they all find loving homes soon.

It's just so heartbreaking to see all those beautiful creatures who want to be loved and cared for and accepted by humans. And the number of big birds vs. smaller guys is just incomprehensible. Don't these people do their homework first? Clearly not, or there wouldn't be the crisis with unwanted parrots that exists

 

[Aquila]

Neat, wish there was a rescue closer to me that I could volunteer at! All of them are quite a bit of a drive.

If I had the resources I'd totally start my own.

It seems like this one does a lot of good and I always enjoy looking at pictures of healthy happy birds.

 

[psychocircus91]

Good on you for volunteering! I would bet you got more out of the experience then they did. Kalani doing well I assume? She will benefit from your experiences there too.

Agreed. I am glad to have helped, but it was definitely an eye opener into the depths of the captive parrot world, and I already learned a little more about some parrot behavior. Kalani is doing great! I hope working with these birds of various ages and pasts helps me further read birdie body language.

Thanks so much for helping these beautiful birdies out! I hope they all find loving homes soon.

It's just so heartbreaking to see all those beautiful creatures who want to be loved and cared for and accepted by humans. And the number of big birds vs. smaller guys is just incomprehensible. Don't these people do their homework first? Clearly not, or there wouldn't be the crisis with unwanted parrots that exists

It must have been 25 macaws and 50 cockatoos there. There were also countless greys and amazons. They seem to be doing a great job. Thankfully, many have a forever home in the sanctuary.

Neat, wish there was a rescue closer to me that I could volunteer at! All of them are quite a bit of a drive.

If I had the resources I'd totally start my own.

It seems like this one does a lot of good and I always enjoy looking at pictures of healthy happy birds.

This is about an hour and a half each way, so it'll likely be once a week for me, but I'm happy to do what I can. They have definitely done a good job at rehabilitating some of these birds.

 

[Billdore]

That's a huge rescue. The closest rescue I know of to me has like 8 birds and that's including budgies. I've been meaning to contact them and let knowni can help if they ever need it.

 

[sonja]

Volunteering is a wonderful thing. The rescue birdies gain your help, but you will get so much more out of it yourself - knowledge, experience, perspective. Good on you.

 

[LordTriggs]

really good to offer some help. If I know of a rescue within viable distance to me that operated like this (out of a single building) instead of using safe houses like many places here seem to use I'd love to help out. There's a bird zoo type place not far from me I'd love to help out at but they don't let volunteers help with the parrots they normally just run cash registers at different food stands and such and I did my time in retail, I aint going back!

 

[psychocircus91]

That's a huge rescue. The closest rescue I know of to me has like 8 birds and that's including budgies. I've been meaning to contact them and let knowni can help if they ever need it.

Volunteering is a wonderful thing. The rescue birdies gain your help, but you will get so much more out of it yourself - knowledge, experience, perspective. Good on you.

really good to offer some help. If I know of a rescue within viable distance to me that operated like this (out of a single building) instead of using safe houses like many places here seem to use I'd love to help out. There's a bird zoo type place not far from me I'd love to help out at but they don't let volunteers help with the parrots they normally just run cash registers at different food stands and such and I did my time in retail, I aint going back!

Yes,
I'm totally estimating here but they probably have about 25 macaws, 50 toos, and tons of other parrots. Maybe 200-300 birds. They say they get an average of one bird per day. Believe it or not, they were previously in a safe house type setting, but just finished moving to this location. In about a month, the building will open to the public (it's in a mall!), which of course will certainly have pros and cons. I foresee it bringing in a lot more donations and interest, but of course most of the public is ignorant towards birds.
I learned a lot in one day, despite 15 years of bird ownership. I am going back tomorrow and am looking forward to it.

 

[Scott]

Thanks for your service to the neglected and unwanted. You create a bright spot for them (and yourself) by selflessly volunteering!!

 

[LordTriggs]

well as long as the volunteers and staff are all as knowledgeable then it should help in making sure they go to good homes

I've seen the local pet store to my has put flyers in its miniscule bird section with a little info on parrot care and I'm thinking to myself "this is a good opening but really doesn't get into the nitty-gritty" on their care. To have someone talk to potential owners and to explain ups and downs and different details of parrots and also when it may not be right to own a parrot is the kind of thing you can't get from reading, only through conversation could you learn that

 

[psychocircus91]

Thanks for your service to the neglected and unwanted. You create a bright spot for them (and yourself) by selflessly volunteering!!

I wish I could say it was selfless, but I do love being around the birds! I do try my best to act selflessly when there though, and utilize my time doing what will be best for them.

well as long as the volunteers and staff are all as knowledgeable then it should help in making sure they go to good homes

I've seen the local pet store to my has put flyers in its miniscule bird section with a little info on parrot care and I'm thinking to myself "this is a good opening but really doesn't get into the nitty-gritty" on their care. To have someone talk to potential owners and to explain ups and downs and different details of parrots and also when it may not be right to own a parrot is the kind of thing you can't get from reading, only through conversation could you learn that

Yes, it is very organized, clean, and full of knowledgable people.
One thing I can say about pet stores around here, is that they have significantly reduced the amount of parrots they sell. I rarely see anything bigger than budgies at petsmarts, petcos, ect.

 

[psychocircus91]

Few more from today. Sorry, I'm partial to the macaws and goffin's. The pictures don't reflect the majority of the sanctuary.

Also got nailed by an umbrella too, while I was moving a cage. My fault, of course.

 

[LordTriggs]

One thing I can say about pet stores around here, is that they have significantly reduced the amount of parrots they sell. I rarely see anything bigger than budgies at petsmarts, petcos, ect.

Should see things over here! You have to really go out of your way to find a parrot now. Most children don't even know what a Budgie is now. There's a large pet shop near my house I always remember being 1/3rd aviaries housing birds quite literally from finches to Macaws! Now that part of the store is taken up by a "dog spa"

Ouch nasty nip there although for an U2 you got off lightly!

 

[psychocircus91]

Back at it.

 

[GaleriaGila]

My hero!
Rickeybird's hero, too, if he had any civic consciousness at all.
GOOD ON YOUUUU!!!

 

[psychocircus91]

My hero!
Rickeybird's hero, too, if he had any civic consciousness at all.
GOOD ON YOUUUU!!!

Far from it, but the founders sure are!

 

[psychocircus91]

Taking a liking to a skeptical, but gentle blue and gold, Sunny

 

[psychocircus91]

 

[chris-md]

Thank you for doing this! So beautiful to witness keep the photos coming. Loving the series