|
|
January is National Bird Month at The Gabriel Foundation!
January 5th was National Bird Day in the United States, and the parrots and people of TGF have decided to make a month of it! We have some exciting events planned, including a champagne brunch and special tour at the Aviary (or Cocktails & Cockatoos as we like to call it!), hosted by Julie Weiss Murad on January 18 from 10am until 12:30pm. We ask for a $45 donation to The Gabriel Foundation. Please call Karen at (303)629-5900 ext. 214 to register.
On January 24, we have two special events. First, join us at The Birdbrain from 11am until 3:30pm for a very special National Bird Month Meet the Birds. Meet some of our birds who are available for adoption and learn more about TGF from the staff and volunteers. Plus, some extra surprises!
At 6pm, all you oenophiles and psittaphiles are invited to join host, Dr. Kristen Wells and TGF staff at a Wine Tasting and Silent Auction at D'Vine Wine in downtown Denver, all to benefit The Gabriel Foundation! Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by calling Karen at (303)629-5900 ext. 214.
The festivities continue in February were an “Around the World” adventure for me. I received this special trip as a gift from my mother, and together we traveled to Peru, Easter Island (Chile), Samoa, Australia, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Cambodia, India, Dubai,
I saw hundreds of wonderful, wild birds, many of them psittacine species, not to mention so much diverse wildlife, some of which were monkeys, baboons, and lions. I met many wonderful people, enjoyed a rich, cultural history of many countries and enjoyed tastes, scents and smells from around the world.
This spring takes me and many of the TGF staff to a variety of locales for workshops and presentations. Be sure to check out TGF’s Calendar of Events and join us if we are in your neighborhood. Upcoming cities include Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Fargo, Orlando, Long Beach, and Savannah.
|
 |
Mr. Clean
We received a frantic call a few weeks ago, from a mother whose two year old had doused their cockatiel, Chito, with a cleaning product. She tried to wash it off, but that seemed to make it worse. His breathing was labored and he was not in good condition by the time she called us. While she wanted to get help for her bird, she couldn’t afford to take him to the vet and was ready and willing to relinquish him to TGF.
We arranged for Chito to be taken immediately to Dr. Kris Ahlgrim. The first few hours were rough - it wasn’t looking good for Chito. He was in an incubator and very weak. But, Chito wasn’t going to give up without a fight. He slowly started to regain strength and it looked like he was going to have a fighting chance. What’s a little bleach to a big, strong cockatiel anyway!
Chito, who has been affectionately nicknamed Mr. Clean by TGF staff, is now in quarantine at the Acoma Street location and doing great! He has become quite chummy with Syan, another tiel who is in long term foster, and he will make a great pet for someone who knows the importance of cleaning green for parrot’s sake.
This story has a happy ending, but we often hear stories that don’t. Parrots have very different lung structures from humans and other animals. Many everyday products can be very dangerous to your bird. Please read the Green Cleaning article below to begin to educate yourself. The Gabriel Foundation offers many resources to help you to raise a healthy, happy bird.
|
 |
Announcing The Gabriel Foundation's First Annual
Toy Drive!
Our birds are in desperate need of toys! Please donate to TGF's First Annual Toy Drive. We are especially low on large toys and perches for the Macaws and Cockatoos. Please help - send or drop off new or gently used toys and perches to: The Birdbrain, 1025 Acoma Street, Denver, CO 80204; or make a donation to TGF and indicate Toy Drive in the comments section. All money raised will buy toys and perches for the birds.
Sale at the Birdbrain!
In conjunction with our Toy Drive, all Zigzag perches are BUY ONE, GET ONE OF EQUAL OR LESSER VALUE FOR HALF PRICE throughout the Month of March. This is a wonderful opportunity to get something special for your bird and buy a second to benefit one of our Aviary birds!
More News from the Birdbrain
The Birdbrain is now 100% owned by The Gabriel Foundation! Remember that when you need supplies or products for your birds, all proceeds support the parrots and programs of TGF. Shop with compassion, make a difference one bird at a time – and show your support for The Gabriel Foundation.
Online shopping at The Birdbrain is about to drastically improve! We know that our E-commerce program has been the cause of great frustration to our online shoppers. Thanks to a restricted donation, The Birdbrain is developing a totally new website for your shopping pleasure and convenience. Meanwhile, Christal and Ellen are at The Birdbrain Monday through Saturday to assist you with your birds’ needs. Just call us at 888.923.2140 or 303.446.BIRD. Store hours are Mon-Fri 10:30AM-6:00PM and Saturday 10:00AM-4:00PM. The Birdbrain is located at 1025 Acoma Street in Denver.
|
 |
Gypsy Update
We first told you about Gypsy, the Blue and Gold Macaw in dire straits, in our holiday Email Blast. Your response was overwhelming. Gypsy continues her fight. Click here for the latest updates.
|
 |
Fantastic Opportunity: Online Class in Pet Photography
Proceeds Benefit The Gabriel Foundation!
Did you know:
Parrot owners shoot more digital pictures than dog or cat owners
-
Parrot owners shoot the majority of their indoor shots using a flash and thus mostly had unflattering shots of their birds
-
The vast majority of outdoor bird shots have problems with cropping, exposure and depth of field
-
Most parrot owners have no idea how to use their digital camera to its full potential
Len Charnoff from Parrot Universe is beginning a new online course in digital photography –Fid Foto 101- in April. The course will focus on parrot photography. Tuition is $30 and Len is donating 2/3 of that to The Gabriel Foundation!
Don’t miss this fabulous opportunity! Go to www.parrotuniverse.com to register.
Len Charnoff is the founder of www.parrotuniverse.com, a gateway to companion bird information and a collection of online digital courses.
Mr. Charnoff was selected by Microsoft Corporation as one of four Internet entrepreneurs to be featured in the television series “America At Work: Road Map To The Internet” You can see more of his published work here. Len is owned by Tango, his 10 year old Moluccan Cockatoo. Lenny combines many of his interests when he teaches digital photography to people who love animals. He strives to make the complicated issues with digital cameras clear and straight forward. “Everyone loves to take a great shot of their beloved pet but many people do not know how to achieve this.”
|
 |
P.T.A. (Parrot Teacher Association)
Have you taken Beyond Birdie Basics yet?
We receive calls daily from people who want to relinquish their birds. This is often related to behavioral issues. Before you give up, please consider taking our Beyond Birdie Basics class, a comprehensive class designed to help parrot owners learn the root of their bird’s behavior and obtain the skills necessary to cope and sometimes, alleviate the problems they are experiencing.
Our classes are available in-house and online. Please visit our website at thegabrielfoundation.org/events.html or contact Patti Christie at 303.629.5900 x213 or at education@thegabrielfoundation.org for more information.
|
 |
This Just In - Lory Hoarding Situation Update
Justice was served today on behalf of the remaining birds from the February 2007 Lory Rescue. The former owner of these birds was formally charged and pleaded to two counts of animal cruelty. She paid significant fines and court fees, and was ordered to pay restitution to TGF for the medical costs associated with the intake of these birds. This woman was placed on 12-months' probation, and she received a suspended one year jail sentence. Part of her agreement with the court was that she will never own or care for birds again. Should the terms of her probation be violated, she will go to jail.
This situation is indeed sad – for this woman, for the birds that had been under her care for years, and especially for the lives of so many of her birds that were cut short. There is no true winner in an animal cruelty case, but the consequences of this hoarder’s actions were significant.
Thanks so much every one of you for your support of these birds. Seven of the original 21 birds are still in need of your sponsorship. Caesar, Rainbow lory, Anthony and Cleopatra, Rainbow lories, Godzilla, Woody and Soon-Yi, Blue streak lories, Earl, the peach-faced mutation lovebird, and Star, the female Plum-headed parakeet. For more information about these birds and how you can become a sponsor, go to http://www.thegabrielfoundation.org/ways.html
|
 |
IMPORTANT! SCAM WARNING
Have you received this email? Please be advised that it is a HOAX, meant to generate money for the sender. BIRDS WILL NOT ARRIVE. This serves as a reminder that birds should only be adopted/purchased from a reputable organization like TGF.
Subject: INTELLIGENT PARROTS FOR SALE
Good sir,
I am Harrison Dike,age 67.a bird farmer from western africa.i have been a farmer for the past 17yrs now,raising different kind of birds in my household farmer.basically I have in my farmhouse 76 african intelligent parrots and 160 love pet birds.
However,my sole aim of writing to you now is to seek for your help in helping me to sale this birds over there in your country due to lack of money here to continue the farming business I wish to quit cos the government always tax me alot.i place each bird $4 only,pleace if you can do this for me then mail me back so that I will start arranging the shipping to you.
Thanks and remain blessed. |
 |
Parroting 101
Fun Facts: Popcorn by Shauna Roberts
Did you ever wonder why popcorn pops? Each kernel contains a small amount of water. When the kernel is heated up, the water will expand building pressure up against the hard starch interior, which eventually gives way causing the kernel to explode.
With only 40 calories per cup, popcorn is a great low-fat snack, but did you know it also provides vital nutrition? Inside the germ of popcorn you will find all of the B complex vitamins, vitamin E, riboflavin and thiamine. The outer layers of the grain contain iron and phosphorus. Popcorn is said to contain more iron than spinach, eggs or peanuts and is one of the better sources of protein among the cereal grains.
Popcorn can be used as an ingredient in dry seed/nut mixes. It’s the perfect treat for foraging. Hide popped corn in paper cups or small boxes, stick in between pine cone layers, wrap in paper or come up with your own way to keep your parrot occupied during the day.
If you choose to sprout your bird’s popcorn, be aware that it is not the most dependable sprouter, so be sure to inspect it well and remove any broken or moldy kernels before soaking. Soak 8-14 hours. You should have sprouts in 2 or more days (sprouting times vary depending on where you live). Be sure to inspect for mold as any mold is always a problem for your bird . Popcorn sprouts are sweet and hulls remain hard. |
 |
Thank You to our Tireless Volunteers!
The Gabriel Foundation definitely has the luck of the Irish on its side when it comes to our wonderful volunteers! Thanks to all who helped out at our recent event at Tagawa Gardens as well as those committed to helping out at the Aviary and Adoption Center and at our Acoma Street location. If you are interested in donating your time, please send an email to patti@thegabrielfoundation.org. We can't do it without you! |
 |
BIRTHDAY BASH ALERT – Join our Birdbrain, Julie Weiss Murad, on August 16, 2008 from 6:00 PM until the wee hours at the Aviary and Adoption Center for her very special decade birthday celebration. Details coming soon. You won’t want to miss this gala fundraiser and a night under the stars. Enjoy the birds, great blues, bands and boogie the night away at this one-of-a-kind party for the parrots!
|
|
Just $10/month can help support The Gabriel Foundation enough to help several birds survive and begin a new life. Help Now!
|
