The word "rescue" is used a lot these days & it seems to mean different things to different people , heres how we see it.
NOT all parrots needing a new home need to be "rescued". Most people who donate a parrot to us do it because they love their parrot enough to give it the best possible chance of finding a home which will improve its quality of life.
Most parrots that come to us have been generally cared for by well meaning but poorly informed owners. Information from pet shops is often poor relating to exotics- an R.S.P.C.A. survey proved this.Owners dont keep up to date with methods of are & training & behaviours. Parrots from these homes need a period of re-habilitation & a life time of comitted care.
Some parrots that come to are in ecxellent health both physically & emotionally & it breaks their owners hearts to see them go- circumstaces in their lives simply dont allow for the parrot anymore.
The RESCUE part of my work is different. A parrot may have been severely abused- the rescue element here is to remove the parrot from the situation imediatly- provide emergency vet care.
A parrot may have been neglected to the point of near death- again I class this as a rescue.
A parrot is in serious danger of abuse, death, suffering ,neglect or an owners is telling us they are at the end of their wits & need the bird gone NOW!
The word "Rescue" to us means an intervention made by us that has either saved a parrot from death, extreme suffering or neglect.
THESE CASES WILL ALWAYS TAKE PRIORITY & WE SOMETIMES HAVE TO USE OUR FUNDS TO BUY BIRDS BECAUSE THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO REMOVE THEM FROM THE DANGEROUS SITUATION.
The re-habilitation process is a long term plan for each bird to suceed.
Physical re-hab can mean learning to walk. fly, excercise,eat,drink & gerally acheive some mobility- often following injury, illness or long periods of inactivity( 20 years sitting in a cage). Improvement of diet & continued medical care.
Emotional ,psychological & behavioural re-hab all seems to blend together as we work to overcome the parrots issues. It can be as simple as giving your time & attention or as hard as dealing with a huge ,biting,terrified feathered baby. Small steps bring huge rewards.
Social skills are gained through interaction with us & other birds.
Ours birds leave here with a plan & we work with their new famalies to keep them moving forward.
