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YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY!
Please, make your tax-deductible donation now and help these parrots IN NEED of your immediate support.
The stories of Bandit, Max, Crackers, Gypsy and Gauguin are truly about birds in need. The Amazon and the 4 Blue & Gold macaws entered TGF’s Rescue Program because of the urgent intervention required by TGF to help them. Their stories have touched us deeply. As the Season of Giving is upon us, we hope that their past will not be the legacy for their future lives. Making this difference is possible every one of us at TGF as we want to ensure the best future for them that is possible.
Bandit, Double Yellow Headed Amazon
The call for help came in from a concerned neighbor about the woman next door. The woman’s doctor contacted the neighbor to help with his patient’s animals. The animals were this patient’s life –but something had gone drastically wrong. She was severely ill with a recurring brain tumor and required immediate surgery. What the neighbor found was a disaster. Dog and cat feces were everywhere. Two parrots were in small cages. One had just remnants of some seed and filthy water in the cage; the other Amazon was already dead –starved to death. Animal control transported all of the animals to the shelter, but the neighbor wanted us to help the bird. The shelter agreed to hold the dogs in the hope that they can be eventually reunited their owner. With the appropriate Power of Attorney to transfer the bird from the county animal shelter, this Good Samaritan neighbor brought the bird to TGF. We don’t know this bird’s name yet – and it isn’t telling us so far. But, it’s been vocal and responding wonderfully to our staff, good food, a huge cage, toys and other birds in quarantine. It has undergone complete lab testing, a physical exam, and right now is far less stressed than just a couple of days ago. We hope that bird and owner will one day be reunited, but the owner cannot return to her house due to its inhabitable condition. Now, this bird’s welfare depends on us all.
UPDATE: February, 2008
No Name is nameless no more! We now know his name is Bandit and he is believed to be about 12-14 years of age. The owner is still in the hospital but she is aware that we are caring for Bandit so she can concentrate on getting well. Sponsors are still needed for Bandit to offset the cost of his care.
Gauguin, B&G Macaw
Severe papilloma disease finally endangered this bird’s life. Due to a lengthy history with this disease and the bulky and recurring papilloma tissue, traditional treatment was no longer effective. Gauguin was unable to defecate and the build up of feces and bacteria put him in great pain and danger. His owner spent her savings on multiple surgeries to enlarge his vent and minimize the stricture. Then, she recently lost her job. She could no longer afford to provide the critical veterinary care that Gauguin required. She did not want to have him euthanized but she agonized about the cost of care his future would require. With the possibility of transmission to other macaws, she did not want to jeopardize other birds. She asked TGF for help. We took a good look at Gauguin – he appears robust, has excellent plumage, and attitude. TGF intervened and brought Gauguin to live with the four other South American species’ birds that have paps: Babby and Rowan, Ozzie and Chico. Gauguin’s relinquisher continues to visit and spend social time with him – grateful that her harsh financial situation and loss did not cost Gauguin his life. Please help us provide the necessary veterinary care and support that is essential to Gauguin’s continued quality of life.
UPDATE: February, 2008
Gaugin has settled into a very comfortable routine at The Birdbrain in the papilloma room. He tolerates his care fairly well. Dr. Susan Orosz has provided a "recipe" for treatment that involves the topical and internal application of some herbs. We are hoping these homeopathic remedies, while not curative, will provide relief to all the papilloma birds in our care.
 
Gypsy, Max and Crackers, B&G Macaws
Less than two weeks ago, we received a plea from Northern California for emergency intervention for these macaws, aged 15 to 32. The caller’s sister was severely ill and hospitalized. The birds had not been well cared for a long time. Their owner had been very ill for some time. The cages were filthy, the birds were terribly stressed, hungry and in mediocre condition. They’d never been to a vet, had no one to support them, transport them, or even continue to care about them long term. We agreed to help, creating a budget for carriers, airline transport, veterinary care, laboratory testing, and underwriting at $50/month per bird. We put out a plea for help to PetSmart Charities and to the Petco Foundation – no, they could not help. These birds didn’t qualify for aid from Petfinder. Thankfully, the Animal Assistance Foundation granted us $1800 in emergency funding on 12/13/07. Time was running out…the Medical Center for Birds in Oakley, CA, would provide the veterinary care. They’d shop for the carriers, take the birds to the airport, pay for the shipping and invoice us. Everything had to be paid up front – a big cash outlay and a lot of time necessary to get the job done. On Monday, December 17, the birds were taken to Continental Cargo for transport from Oakland to Houston to Denver scheduled to arrive at 10:30 PM. At 5:30 we received an alarming call from Continental in Houston – one of the macaws was at the bottom of the carrier, lying on its side and unresponsive. The caller had directed a heater at the bird, but she could not tell me if the bird was still alive. Hearing this news was horrible – we were 1000 miles away. Following protocol airline personnel contacted an emergency veterinary service and an animal transporter to get the bird emergency veterinary care. We contacted the emergency clinic and were told that the bird would not be seen until the following morning despite the information provided by Continental. We responded to the airlines and the emergency clinic that the bird would be dead by morning, if it was still alive. We wanted the macaw to go to Gulf Coast Avian and Exotics for emergency care. It was up to the animal transporter. We begged him to take the bird to our vet of choice. After explaining the gravity of the situation, he agreed, and an additional $135 was charged to us for the 45 minute drive. We had alerted Megan Baebler, DVM to the situation. After arrival at the avian and exotics emergency clinic, we learned that the bird was Gypsy, a 28-32 y.o. severely feather plucked B&G. Her body temperature was down to just 80◦ from the normal 103-105◦. Hypothermia, shock and seizures put her life in danger. 6, 12, 24 and now 48 hours later – Gypsy’s still alive. She’s lost about 20 grams per day since Monday evening, and comprehensive testing is still inconclusive. She remains hospitalized in Houston pending transition care or being flown to Denver. These lifesaving measures have been costly. Help us and give generously for Gypsy’s well-being. We will continue to provide updates about Gypsy’s condition as they develop. Meanwhile, we need your support and well-wishes for Gypsy.
Gypsy, Bandit, Gauguin, Max and Crackers NEED your help. Please make your tax-deductible donation now to help these parrots in peril. DONATE NOW
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