THE BIRD ADOPTION AND PLACEMENT CENTER
Angel's Story
Casper is a sweet umbrella cockatoo who was sold from a box in the trunk of a car in a mall parking lot. Her internal organs were hanging outside her body because her many owners encouraged her to perform repeated courting actions that amused them. Fortunately for Casper, the nurse of our avian vet purchased her and renamed her from Angel to Casper. Casper found her way to us. She’s a permanent resident because she needs to be carefully watched for any new signs of infections or repeated behavioral issues. Despite her traumatic experience Casper is a comical and sweet star of our educational program (the Birds of Wonderment) and a very trusting bird that we all love because Casper really is an Angel. She is just one story of many from over a decade of avian rehabilitation and re-homing by the Bird Adoption and Placement Center. thank you and read on.
Welcome:
Parrots are extremely bright animals, very social, affectionate and singularly curious. Treasured for their beauty their self-destructive behavior is often why people find them attractive pets. Unfortunately, parrots often live abused or neglected and unwanted by bored and/or untrained bird owners. Often malnourished and bred capriciously, these marvelous long-lived creatures frequently die as lonely "teenagers" in captivitiy.
There are currently over 100 species of parrots considered to be vulnerable, endangered or threatened with extinction and many more sub-species that are equally at risk of disappearing forever.
The clearing of tropical rainforest for development or agriculture has destroyed thousands of acres of parrot habitat, making it difficult for them to feed and breed. In addition, some parrots are grain eaters and are viewed as pests, often being killed by farmers when they attack their crops.
Parrots are probably the most invisible of abused animal pet that are rescued in significant numbers and yet public shelters and rescues are often the least able to provide proper care or provide them capable companions.
In short, we provide resident care for severely damaged parrots, public education as the most effective means to prevent abuse and neglect of animals, and rehabilitation for "rehome"able parrots going to properly trained companions. We neither sell nor breed parrots.
What People Have Said Us:
"they are excellent with school age groups and with a good message that does indeed get across. Their love of their bird friends is very evident. I give them two very big thumbs up." Rosalind Chang, San Francisco Public Library, Portola Branch Manager, San Francisco, Ca.
"they were an extremely popular attraction and very educational. . . We felt this was one of our better finds and will have them back in the future. I would highly recommend them." Cindy Bedinfield, Program Manager, Jackson County Fair, Medford, Oregon.
Basic Facts Summary
We seek out distressed "parrots" or distressed "parrot" companions give them a more suitable home. We also educate the general public, through school assemblies and other events, on the plight of captured and wild "parrots, their habitat, their behaviors, and their wonderful nature. We have presented to over 12,000 school children since 2001. We have several dozen species of "parrots" in permanent care with us and they are often the stars of our education program which we call "The Birds of Wonderment" (we do not sell or breed our charges, we do not have paid staff, 100% of donations go toward care-housing-feeding our resident parrots)
"the Birds of Wonderment" school programs are an educational part of the rescue and are presented on a sliding fee that considers the distance and cost of travel for us, as well as the financial constraints of the school or event. We wish to accommodate all requests within possibility.
We are not a zoo, in fact, we discourage the breeding and sale of animals as we neither breed nor sell parrots. We do not exhibit our birds except for educational purposes. Our facility is private and visits are solely for state/federal/local inspections and vet certifications or care.
We accept unwanted parrots under certain conditions, none of which are based on the donors financial situation. Preferably a donated bird should have a cage, a printed history, some sort of proof of ownership, a few days worth of its usual food and a small check to cover a months supply of the Center's food, but our main concern is for the health and safety of the parrot under consideration.
Current projects and needs:
We are attemting to move our center out of souther Missouri for the benefit of our pemanent residents. We have only till June 27 when all our permitting must be renewed and may be a disabling cost and are looking for donatons (see donation page).
check out our Youtube video by clicking this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0Lyj0YIFzE
Parrot food costs is a constant expense. This is about $450/month depending on the residents, not including fruit.
Water Bottle: Currently we must daily replenish about 30 to 40 water bowls. As birds often wet their food before eating, their water bowls after a day or two look like a thick soup. To prevent bacterial growth these bowls have to be washed frequently. Water bottles completely eliminate this task. A single large water bottle can cost $20 or more, as they can not be plastic.
Toys: We have precise standards as to what is safe and if you are interested we'll give you some good advice on save parrot toys.