July 2013
Dear Elephants, Birds
and Humans,
Can you believe it? We have been together, helping birds and the people who love them, for 27 years. I am so proud and I share that pride with everyone of you who is a member of this great organization. There are several of us who have been here since the beginning and others who have joined and stayed with us throughout our long history.
We do good things: we teach people how to best care for their beloved birds who are hopefully considered a member of their family. We advocate to keep wild birds free and unmolested. We do programs on bird awareness and care in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, neighborhood facilities and any other place where we are needed. We place unwanted birds in new homes that, hopefully, are permanent, loving, tolerant and understanding. We share and expound a humane ethic. We are not and never have been a promoter or supporter of the bird industry, but a promoter and supporter of the birds. We have openly called for a moratorium on breeding parrots for the pet industry because there are just too many that need homes without producing more. There are too many people who call me, who no longer want their birds. They tell me that they had no idea that the cute, sweet baby parrot they bought for a lot of money would turn into a screaming, needy, often biting and willful animal for which they no longer wish to care. It is the rare pet shop owner or breeder that puts that information out there as they are collecting the money that people are paying for that gentle baby bird that they see and often buy on impulse.
Part of our work is to inform the public all about what is involved in being a responsible and HAPPY pet bird owner. When we re-home a bird, we make sure that the person who is adopting it is aware of what they are undertaking by becoming a bird owner. It is a lot of work and a lot of noise AND usually a life long commitment. If you can get through that part, then of course you might just be getting a pet who will become your best friend............and then again, maybe not. Parrots tend to choose their own people, even within a family and often will hold all others at bay. Parrot ownership is not something to enter into lightly, but with the full knowledge of what you are undertaking and even then is can be daunting.
Now that I have repeated that diatribe once again, I want to ensure all our readers that I love my birds with my full heart. Even Aristophanes, from whom I have lately been walking around bleeding, is still my beloved pet and as he gets used to Opie, our new puppy, he is coming around to being nicer and, once again, enjoying my company. I know that some people have a pet parrot that adores them, I just have not been lucky enough to find that. Emma likes me, Zeke likes me and I have to live with that. I do the best I can for them. I make sure that I give them as much attention as I can (which is never enough) and they are free from the confines of their cages as often as possible every day. They get a great diet and I hope they are happy. Parrots belong in the jungle; when they live in a house one must make every effort to give them a good life, exercising their mind and their body.
We should have a great anniversary tonight here in Mr. Willy's Restaurant. We will enjoy a fine dinner, bid generously on the donations for our silent auction and enjoy the program provided by Michael, Kili and Truman. They come to us so highly recommended. Happy anniversary everyone, and lets look forward to another 27 years. Tonight we will also bring up the idea, given to us by Gloria Waslyn (Parrots for Peace) about creating and marketing a cook book for pet parrots. This should prove to be a wonderful fund raiser for us.
Next month we have Wild Watch coming to us to speak to us on rehab issues and humane issues. After that we have another great Eagle program and then another avian veterinarian. This coming October 13th will be the date we produce our next big Pet Bird Show and Educational Extravaganza... Make sure you contact Matt and tell him you want to do your part to make it a great show. Matt, unfortunately, cannot be with us tonight as he is in California. Our secretary, Mark Spina, is also not with us tonight. He is in Alaska; I told him to fly back for the meeting and fly out again, but he couldn't do that.
Have the best time tonight people .........kiss all your birds and, of course, any elephants that you happen to see.....I know I will do that. I hope to see everyone back next year at our 28th anniversary.
Most of us have our dues, which are still only $24 for an individual and $30 for a family, payable each July. If you can pay your dues tonight, please do so. If your dues are not up but you would like to make them current, you can do that tonight and then pay again next July instead of whatever month you joined.
Be well, stay happy and healthy......With love,
Richie
Can you believe it? We have been together, helping birds and the people who love them, for 27 years. I am so proud and I share that pride with everyone of you who is a member of this great organization. There are several of us who have been here since the beginning and others who have joined and stayed with us throughout our long history.
We do good things: we teach people how to best care for their beloved birds who are hopefully considered a member of their family. We advocate to keep wild birds free and unmolested. We do programs on bird awareness and care in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, neighborhood facilities and any other place where we are needed. We place unwanted birds in new homes that, hopefully, are permanent, loving, tolerant and understanding. We share and expound a humane ethic. We are not and never have been a promoter or supporter of the bird industry, but a promoter and supporter of the birds. We have openly called for a moratorium on breeding parrots for the pet industry because there are just too many that need homes without producing more. There are too many people who call me, who no longer want their birds. They tell me that they had no idea that the cute, sweet baby parrot they bought for a lot of money would turn into a screaming, needy, often biting and willful animal for which they no longer wish to care. It is the rare pet shop owner or breeder that puts that information out there as they are collecting the money that people are paying for that gentle baby bird that they see and often buy on impulse.
Part of our work is to inform the public all about what is involved in being a responsible and HAPPY pet bird owner. When we re-home a bird, we make sure that the person who is adopting it is aware of what they are undertaking by becoming a bird owner. It is a lot of work and a lot of noise AND usually a life long commitment. If you can get through that part, then of course you might just be getting a pet who will become your best friend............and then again, maybe not. Parrots tend to choose their own people, even within a family and often will hold all others at bay. Parrot ownership is not something to enter into lightly, but with the full knowledge of what you are undertaking and even then is can be daunting.
Now that I have repeated that diatribe once again, I want to ensure all our readers that I love my birds with my full heart. Even Aristophanes, from whom I have lately been walking around bleeding, is still my beloved pet and as he gets used to Opie, our new puppy, he is coming around to being nicer and, once again, enjoying my company. I know that some people have a pet parrot that adores them, I just have not been lucky enough to find that. Emma likes me, Zeke likes me and I have to live with that. I do the best I can for them. I make sure that I give them as much attention as I can (which is never enough) and they are free from the confines of their cages as often as possible every day. They get a great diet and I hope they are happy. Parrots belong in the jungle; when they live in a house one must make every effort to give them a good life, exercising their mind and their body.
We should have a great anniversary tonight here in Mr. Willy's Restaurant. We will enjoy a fine dinner, bid generously on the donations for our silent auction and enjoy the program provided by Michael, Kili and Truman. They come to us so highly recommended. Happy anniversary everyone, and lets look forward to another 27 years. Tonight we will also bring up the idea, given to us by Gloria Waslyn (Parrots for Peace) about creating and marketing a cook book for pet parrots. This should prove to be a wonderful fund raiser for us.
Next month we have Wild Watch coming to us to speak to us on rehab issues and humane issues. After that we have another great Eagle program and then another avian veterinarian. This coming October 13th will be the date we produce our next big Pet Bird Show and Educational Extravaganza... Make sure you contact Matt and tell him you want to do your part to make it a great show. Matt, unfortunately, cannot be with us tonight as he is in California. Our secretary, Mark Spina, is also not with us tonight. He is in Alaska; I told him to fly back for the meeting and fly out again, but he couldn't do that.
Have the best time tonight people .........kiss all your birds and, of course, any elephants that you happen to see.....I know I will do that. I hope to see everyone back next year at our 28th anniversary.
Most of us have our dues, which are still only $24 for an individual and $30 for a family, payable each July. If you can pay your dues tonight, please do so. If your dues are not up but you would like to make them current, you can do that tonight and then pay again next July instead of whatever month you joined.
Be well, stay happy and healthy......With love,
Richie