Vet Visits

We took the four worst looking birds from the hoarding situation in for thorough exams and bloodwork on Monday, and took three more in today.  The good news is that most of the birds are underweight, but look to be in reasonable condition.  We don't have bloodwork back yet due to some computer malfunctions, but all in all I think in a month or two, these babies will be in good shape.  The bad news is that the oldest guy, one of the amazons, was full of cancerous tumors, so much so that they were growing out of his cloaca, so of course our vet recommended euthanasia.  Although we were hoping for the best, we were prepared for the worst.  So, we are hoping that if the bloodwork comes back okay on these birds, we will be able to put them up for adoption soon.  They need, and deserve, to be with people who will love them and take good care of them the rest of their lives.  Some of them had their first showers this week and loved it.

We have raised $550 of the approximately $2,000 that we'll need for the vet visits, so if anyone can spare any change, we would greatly appreciate it.  I took a $550 check to the vet today.  You can use our Paypal button at our website, www.centerforavianrehab.org, or call in a credit card to our vet, Brook-Falls Veterinary Hospital & Exotic Care, 262-781-5277.  We weren't expecting two confiscations in one month, so again every little bit helps.

I'd like to leave you with this comment.  When the transporter brought these 11 birds and 1 dog down here from Eagle River, as she was carrying them in, she said to me "this is probably the first time in a very long time that these birds/dog have seen natural sunlight."  Think about that for a minute.  Is that sad or what?

I Can't Believe I Have to Write This...

I can't even believe I have to write an entry like this.  In mid-January, we had to ask one of our long-term volunteers to leave for a laundry list of reasons.  It has come to my attention that, although she tried to split up our cohesive group of volunteers, and that didn't work, she is spreading half-truths and outright lies to other people in the bird world, including some of our customers.  Many of you know me and know that I have been involved in animal welfare since 1989 and started this group in 1996.  My whole life is spent rescuing birds and dogs.  So, if you hear anything about me personally or about CARE that doesn't sound right to you, please let me know.  Every once in a while this kind of situation happens, and frankly, with the two confiscations this month and the usual routine in the life of a rescuer, I don't have time to deal with it, so today I have retained an attorney to nip this in the bud.  Thanks to all of you who support CARE and me.  Lori Drew

Saturday at CARE

Another super busy day!  No surrenders.  Mickey the green cheek conure; Sonny the green cheek conure; Bananarama the canary-winged parakeet; three lovebirds and three budgies all went home today.  The new birds from the hoarding situation are starting to settle in a little bit - we start the vetting on Monday.  I'm going to be spending a lot of time at the vet's office this week -  hopefully all the testing will come back okay.  Have a great weekend and we'll see you all on Monday.

Another Hoarding Situation

We received a call at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday night from Humane Society of Vilas County.  A woman with a hoarding problem passed away in her home and was finally found on Wednesday.  She had 14 large birds and five dogs.  This house has already been condemned and the animals all were removed Wednesday night. None of them had any food or water in their cages - we were told they thought the woman had been dead for possibly a week.  She had no running water and there was no food or water in any of the cages.  She also had no toilet facilities in the home.

Today, we took in 11 of  the 14 birds (they kept three to use for education up there).  There were 6 amazons, 3 macaws and 2 congo african greys.  They are in very poor condition and we will start vetting them on Monday. 

They also brought me a senior female Pomeranian who has poor eyesight.  I will get her vetted and foster her for Wisconsin Chihuahua Rescue.

We are now, of course, at capacity and could really use some help with vet bills.  We will have to do more testing on these birds than we would normally do - this is going to be expensive.  If anyone can help, we'd really appreciate it.

Thanks to Melissa from HSVC for transporting the birds and the Pom down to us.  That really helped expedite getting these birds down here.

We have now reached 61 birds surrendered this year already.  That's more than one per day.  Not getting off to a very good start.

Saturday at CARE

Today 2 of the 20 lovebirds that came in last week went to their new home together.  Also, a cockatiel that we've been working with cuz he came in not handlable went home today.  He's come around and still needs some work, but is a cuddler and really wants to be around people.  I've been working with him so I'm very excited that he's gone to an excellent home.  We had a 20 year old Jenday Conure surrendered - really nice bird.  We'll have him vetted and get him up for adoption soon.  It was a nice steady day today.  We'll be open again on Monday.  Have a great Sunday!

20 Lovebirds and a Citron Cockatoo

Friday was a really busy day - we had to set up for the Great Lakes Pet Expo and we had to pick up 20 lovebirds and a citron cockatoo from MADACC.  So Carrie S., one of our awesome volunteers, drove down to Milwaukee to pick up the birds.  While I was packing up for the Expo, Bobbi and Carrie did health intakes and trimmed wings.  Luckily, most of the birds are tame (including the cockatoo) so that will make it easier to find new homes for them.  Pix coming soon.