PUEBLO FLOCK UPDATES

	Check out Jaya and Delilah (pictured), or as they are affectionately known around here - "Buzzsaws with Feathers" - as they devour crab apple branches supplied by Kim Valentine while swinging on crape myrtle perches from Deb and Bob Allwein. Wood of all sorts is just a temporary diversion for these two, who are constantly "remodeling" their space - to the tune of ten feet of board a day! The 41 remaining birds from the Pueblo rescue continue to be evaluated on their road to recovery, medically and behaviorally. Quarantine has ended and they have moved to spacious new quarters. How they enjoy every delectable morsel of food offered to them – wasting nothing. We first and foremost consider the well being of each of these birds individually and as a flock. Because nearly all of the macaws have tested positive for the Psittacid Herpes Virus (PHV) it would be irresponsible of us to place any of these birds into a foster or adoptive home at the present time. PHV is contagious to other New World (South and Central America) birds and different genomes of the virus have been identified. Research has not yet fully determined just how the virus is transmitted from one bird to another, so a cautious approach is imperative. Although a few of the macaws have tested PHV negative, there is the possibility of a false negative so subsequent laboratory testing will take place in mid-May. Continue reading.. .With heavy hearts we must share with you that Episode, a Blue and Gold macaw from the Pueblo Flock has passed away. Episode was lovingly sponsored by Yoko Fukada from Japan, proving that compassion has no borders. Click here to learn the sad result of years of neglect. Visit the Pueblo Flock sponsorship page.. .Check out our Donor Hall of Fame... Watch this heartfelt tribute to ALL OF YOU who have done so much to help the helpless. ---
	The 42 birds from the Pueblo rescue continue to be evaluated as they continue on their road to recovery, medically and behaviorally. How they enjoy every delectable morsel of food offered to them – wasting nothing. Delilah and Jaya, the Moluccan cockatoos are out of quarantine and thriving beyond our wildest expectations! Snowflake, the Bare eyed cockatoo, is looking wonderful, and is slowly emerging from the shell of his extremely shy personality - food is his primary motivator! He is curious about people and the goings on around him, but still hesitant when we approach his cage.   The status of the 39 macaws remains in a holding pattern. We first and foremost consider the well being of each of these birds individually and as a flock. Because nearly all of the macaws have tested positive for the Psittacid Herpes Virus (PHV) it would be irresponsible of us to place any of these birds into a foster or adoptive home at the present time. PHV is contagious to other New World (South and Central America) birds and different genomes of the virus have been identified. Research has not yet fully determined just how the virus is transmitted from one bird to another, so a cautious approach is imperative. Although a few of the macaws have tested PHV negative, there is the possibility of a false negative so subsequent laboratory testing will take place in mid-May.   Nearly 1/3 of the macaws are comfortable around people, but the others are still quite shy and prefer each other’s company to that of humans. Within the next two weeks we are moving the macaws out of their modular building, into a remodeled space at the Acoma location. We will begin working with them on an individual basis in a larger area, separate from the other birds housed there. Potential placement will be under special circumstances based on each bird’s lab results and their level of comfort interacting with people. We believe that it will be another six months before some of these birds may be available for adoption. We appreciate your patience and understanding of the circumstances surrounding this special flock, not to mention your contributions and sponsorship of each of the 42 birds. This support is crucial to our ability to house them and improve their lives – whatever their future brings.   If you are interested in adopting a bird from TGF, please consider one of the other birds residing with us that is in need of a forever home. Many of our available birds have similarly heart wrenching stores. Please visit our adoption page to get information on the adoption process.  We’d love to find every adoptable bird at TGF a loving, healthy home!  If adding another bird to your present flock isn’t possible, we have many more in need of sponsorship. Your financial support of birds in our flock helps us to come to the aide of more birds in need.   We invite you to come for a tour of the Aviary and Adoption Center in Elizabeth to see our “birds in waiting” or find out more about our flock on Petfinder.com.
	RESCUE IN PUEBLO WE ARE THRILLED TO TELL YOU THAT ALL 42 OF THE PUEBLO FLOCK HAVE BEEN SPONSORED! CLICK HERE TO SEE THEIR NEW NAMES AND HEAR THE STORIES BEHIND MANY OF THEM! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS HELPED THESE BIRDS TO START ANEW!  Some of you have shared with us how you chose the name for your sponsored bird – Sakura is Japanese for Cherry Blossom, it nurses everyone's soul and gives comfort!  We love reading the stories and are imparting them to everyone on the Pueblo Flock’s page. If you would like to have your story included, please email it to office@thegabrielfoundation.org and we will gladly post it. The Pueblo Flock are settling into their new home and most are adapting far better than we could have hoped. They have been receiving daily showers and most of the stench that had followed them here is gone. Most are ravenous for the fresh fruit and vegetables, sprouting mix and mash that is their new diet. Many are interacting with staff in the way we would expect from a healthy bird. We could not be more pleased with their progress thus far. Medical exams have been completed on all 42 birds and we are still awaiting some test results. We will be posting the information on the PUEBLO FLOCK SPONSORSHIP PAGE as soon as we have a comprehensive overview.  There are still seven birds available for sponsorship (see below), please consider this special opportunity to be a hero for a deserving bird.  Following quarantine and full evaluation, some of the Pueblo Flock may be available for foster or adoption. There are many other birds waiting to be fostered or adopted right now, so please consider them if you are looking to help. Learn the horrendous details of the Pueblo rescue by reading the whole story as told by Gaye Thomasson, TGF Volunteer Coordinator and member of the rescue team. Then read Gaye's detailed account of the Pueblo Flock as they move to their new home.   Watch Gaye's heartwarming video from the Pueblo rescue.  Share them with everyone you know. Please make a donation for the Pueblo Flock NOW. We need your help more than ever before to give these birds a chance at a better life. Your donation can SAVE A LIFE.  CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR 100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE, SECURE, ONLINE DONATION. SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR PUEBLO FLOCK VETERINARY MEDICAL SUPPLIES NEEDED! Turn Your Compassion Into Action