The real, and raw costs of rescue…
March is a time of renewal, spring, the ending of winter and the beginning of new growth – it used to be a favorite time of year for me. I see it differently now and wish I could change my thoughts surrounding it – it’s just a coincidence that so many things negative happened in this month and while I try to remember the good things – the birth of 2 of my kids in this month – the pain of this month also weighs heavily.
As I sit here and reflect and let memories cascade over me – I also come to realize that July of 2006 was the inception of Birdline. Can you believe it’s been almost 20 years???
Above is Winston – the catalyst who had us embark on a journey we would never forget – came to us in July of 2006. Absolutely terrified – injured, abused, neglected.…
He would hurl himself off of his cage when anyone came within 5 feet of him – we had to layer the floor with blankets/pillows to cushion his fall. Over time he was able to graduate to a floor perch and one day surprised me allowing a teeny little beak rub – that took months and months and months.
A dream of changing lives, making a difference and pouring my heart and soul into something I believe in so much – that is very much needed – now, more than ever…
Parrots still being bred, and bought and sold like a used household item. Simply a product with value to the person selling – no thought given to the sentient beings they are – exotic, wild animals that can be hard to live with – the daily demands of their specific needs – most times ignored – the wealth of information on the internet – ignored – to many people see the cute videos of performing birds and want “that” kind of bird – and if that bird doesn’t perform, we are getting rid of it and finding one that does.
We become a dumping ground for those who no longer want the responsibility of what THEY chose to bring into their life and home.
Breeders who mass produce, ship to petstores and sell to uneducated families – shipping them across country to an unknown future – all for money. It has nothing to do with preserving a species – it has everything to do with simple greed – a quick way to make cash – and who cares what happens to it once its out of sight.
Lets not forget that this isn’t about the bird – its 100% about what “I” want, and what “I” can have and its MY right to buy what “I” want, when “I” want..and its at that point the bird has lost its “rights”..it has no choice – it didn’t ask to be here – it will be subjected to a life it doesn’t deserve – and when that life no longer matters to that very person who feels its THEIR right – they will dump it – because its their right after all…
So tired of it – so tired of seeing all these people posting online looking for guidance/help with their 6 week old baby they just bought from the breeder – are you kidding me????
The online posts showing sick/injured birds – wanting help – or can’t afford a vet – I don’t want it to suffer etc etc etc but lets get ridiculous advice from unknown people, Dr Google and who knows where else – saying you can crush up a Tylenol and mix it with a liquid and syringe feed your bird – OMGGGG are you serious right now..
When does it stop?!?! Rescues are struggling – lack of space, lack of resources, lack of homes and lack of funds. The struggles of taking in a bird that has been so broken by the hands that “wanted” it in the first place – the bird with so many medical issues that you pray you can help it recover or help it leave peacefully. The bird that doesn’t know how to be a bird – it only knows the hard perch in a square cage barely big enough for it to stretch. Birds kept covered when they vocalize – or put into dark rooms/closets to shut them up.
This was his home for over 10 years – exactly what you see is what he had – nothing….water and seeds.
We try to go into every situation without judgement – peoples circumstances can change – understandable – but there is a difference between an untimely passing or move versus neglect/abuse.
The bottoms of these cages were full of disgusting items – probably about 3 – 4 inches deep – rotten food, bones, plastic. One of the birds tried to chew their way out and it was put together with duct tape. They were left alone in the home when the tenant was evicted for about 5 days.
When did it become ok to subject an animal to this kind of behavior and when did the human race become so complacent that its so easy to turn the other way and not intervene when you see an animal being mistreated.
As a rescuer – I am no different than you – with the exception I may have more parrots living with me than most normal people. They were never brought in to make money off of or teach my kids how to love animals, or do tricks..they were brought in because they had/have nowhere to go – they needed someone to be their voice and to actually care and provide them with the love/patience/understanding and safety that they never had.
The struggle is real. Every..single…day..there is no holidays or time away – time away is going to pick up fruit/vege and supplies – time away is working my ass off to provide them them what they need – time away is sitting in the garage cutting wood for them/making endless toys – time away is hiding in my truck and crying silent tears of frustration, worry and stress..
Finding and keeping foster homes – trying to ensure that they have the willingness, time, space and in most instances, experience – to be able to take on a parrot with complex medical issues or behavioral issues that can and often times do – result in some home destruction or bites. This is a BIG ask – and being aware that as a short term foster it could easily become a year..or more..and making sure that another foster is available if this one does not work out – and if no foster is available – trying to make space to fit that parrot into our home. We are responsible and need to have plans in the “what if” scenario comes along – which it has – many times..
Finding adoptive families – it is harder than you think. In the day of internet and youtube – its gives people the perspective that all birds are cute/funny/talk/sing/dance and do tricks. It glamorizes them into something they are not. That is what people want – they want that “perfect” bird and they want it now. They don’t want to work with the bird or build a relationship – they want a relationship now – and if they can’t have it – they will go buy a baby from a petstore or a breeder..well gee..where do people think ALL these birds started from.
Bought and returned from a reputable petstore – 4 times!! Brought in as a baby – bought by a family – bit – was returned, was bought again- bit – and returned – 3rd time he was bought he lasted about 1 year – became aggressive – and was returned – again. The final family bought him – and realized he had some issues and instead of returning him – reached out to us for help and he came to Birdline. He was amazing and many people knew him and loved him – sadly – he is one of the 27 we lost.
All birds started out somewhere – and its the journeys they were subjected to that turned their behaviors into the issues we all deal with. Yes, they are abused and neglected, in so many ways – lack of education seems to be the key element. No two birds are the same regardless if they are the same species and no two birds will recover from their trauma in the same way. And just because they come into rescue – does not mean that the past trauma is left at the door – it can take months/years to help a bird recover – some never completely leave their past behind.
The goal 15-20 years ago was to eventually have a space to house the parrots – do training classes, education classes, toy classes, medical and a space for people to volunteer and interact with and help us help those without a voice. We never wanted to “warehouse” birds – put them in a building and never have them leave – that scenario played out in BC a few years ago and we all know how that turned out sadly. Unfortunately that never transpired. The realization is that its very very hard to rent a commercial space – always has been. What makes the challenge harder is that the space cannot be a shared space with specific businesses that emit any kind of contaminates due to the shared air venting space that buildings share. Parrots have very sensitive respiratory systems and cannot be exposed to many of the toxins that are produced by other businesses. And while you could install a separate venting system – its thousands upon thousands of dollars to do. Not being independently wealthy means there is no $ towards it and relying on donations is not feasible nor sustainable for an independent rescue. Fundraising is hard enough for just the basics they need – I can’t imagine trying to generate enough to pay for a bigger space. Unfortunately there is no funding for organizations like ours.
Fundraising is another avenue that has really taken a down turn over the years. We have done every kind you can imagine and while some did not to bad – others were a total flop – we have even been ghosted on more than one occasion. Without these crucial fundraisers and donations we feel the strain every month – the cost of everything has gone up – from the bag of pellets that used to be 18.99 now double – and veterinary costs on the rise – we have had to halt intakes for months now – its not responsible of us to take in a bird that we cannot adequately provide for and nor do we have the space.
As many know, we are coming up to another anniversary date – March 15 – 2014 was the day everything changed.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/dozens-of-exotic-birds-perish-in-weekend-house-fire
I watched this news story – the first time in over 10 years – and relived that day all over again. The pain of the loss is still there. Rebuilding our lives and the rescue was immensely challenging and lots of things suffered after that day. Its hard to talk about even now – I suffered pretty bad PTSD – not even knowing I had that – until I had a break down one day at work – the issues there, at home, in my personal being – was just to much. I am not embarrassed to admit it – if anything the 2 years of therapy helped me become a better version of myself but I lost so much along the way.
In Loving Memory of the 27 that were lost…
Over the years since then its been a constant struggle – covid hit and that changed so many things – I know I am not alone in the impact that had on our personal lives. Our rescue took one hit after another – combined with some people who took it upon themselves to try and start gossip in the parrot community about me personally – and some are still trying – that can also have an impact – especially when donors come to you and ask if what they were told was true or not – very childish behavior – but I sure learned who my friends were – and were not. Life is all about lessons isn’t it…
Its hard to believe we are coming up to 20 years. The hundreds of parrots we have helped over the years, the success stories, the difficult medical cases – the dozens of road trips – the fundraising events like The Calgary Expo – which was the most amazing experience ever – going to kids clubs, beavers, Girl guides etc we have reached an enormous amount of people during the years and saved so many lives – for that – I will always be grateful and blessed beyond words.
I am not sure where we go from here – the challenges are very real – our bank account is reaching the lowest ever – we have vet bills upcoming – monthly food costs have doubled – I am working as much as I can to provide what the flock needs but at times it feels like its never enough. The world has changed so much – yet alot is the same in the rescue community as a whole.
I’ve always been transparent and honest – and tell it like it is. And rescue – is damn hard – I have cried more tears than anyone will ever know. I have had moments of frustration where I want to just take a walk, and keep on walking..so many sleepless nights worrying about a sick bird or how we are going to raise funds for vet bills and cages that are beginning to rust away..
Parrots are in a class all their own – their needs, wants and personalities are nothing you will find in any other animal – they are wild at heart and behave as such – but are confined to cages and lifestyles that are just so unfair to the majesty that they truly deserve. Humans decided they wanted them – breeders decided to ensure that we had them and provided them to the consumer and the petstores – and the cycle continues with absolutely no thought to the lives of them once they walk away.
I have been in rescue almost my entire life and I can honestly say that parrots are by far the hardest and yet receive the least amount of recognition as a species. They are not “just a bird” – they are complex – sentient animals that deserve no less than our domesticated animals that share our homes and our hearts.
I don’t know if this 20th year will bring new beginnings or be the beginning of the end…time will tell I guess…I will continue one day at a time, one step at a time..for those who have been supportive from the beginning, a heartfelt thank you!
Anna and the Flock…wing hugzz.
