This page is where
you can find Ongoing Rescues.
You will find them
by title and all the posts that contain information on them.
There may also be
an address of where you can send donations if you choose to.
Georgia
Monday March 20, 2000
Thanks to everyone who
so generously responded with offers of help and homes.
I'm sorry to say things did not go according to plans this weekend.
It took us quite a while to find the place because our directions
were not
accurate. Once we located the mobile homes with the birds it didn't
take us long
to pop open the doors. It was the worst site I have ever seen.
The air was so
bad and there wasn't any ventelation. Rats went scurrying as we
entered. All of
the birds were without food and clean water. Dishes were filled
with mold and
droppings. The inside of the cages were covered with droppings
and at the bottom
of each cage droppings, food waste and etc.. was at least 1foot
deep covering
the grates. Some of them hadn't been able to hang on . Their poor
bodies just
wasted. We couldn't keep from crying and we all gagged at the
smell and site.
Well, the police showed up and asked us what we were doing.. It
seems that
somebody reported a group of trucks driving around in the area.
I did convince
them to let us feed and water the birds. They wouldn't let us
take the time to
clean up the place and wouldn't give me permission to come back
and feed and
water. The only good thing is that 1) We didn't get arrested,
and 2) They (the
police) were as apalled and hoirrified as we were by the conditions.
They stated
to us that they would follow up but couldn't tell me exactly what
that meant.
Probably the only reason we didn't get into trouble is that they
could hardly
hold it together themselves it was such an awful experience. I
haven't given up
yet. The police deptartmeny is supposed to contact me today and
let me know if
they could get the Dept. of AG. and or the Humanes society out
there today. When
I called last week they couldn't come right away. Maybe now they
can. Sorry for
the graphic details. I haven't been able to forget what I saw.
I spent the rest
of the weekend holding my featherd ones at home thanking God for
them. I just
don't understand how people could be so cruel. I'm so grateful
for the concerned
people on this list.
Monday March 20, 2000
Thanks again your support
made this day much easier for me. Just got off the
phone with the Police and I'm to meet the Deptartment of Ag. out
there this
afternoon. They are going to take pictures and collect the birds
for transport.
I get to go with them and help settle them in . An aviary in this
area
(Atlanta, Ga.) has a section free for quarantine. They have Vets
meeting us
there tonight. Yea! for this Police Dept. They have donated their
off time to
taking care of this. They told me that some of them will also
be helping with
the upkeep. I'm not sure if anything is needed yet or how they
will place these birds but so far
things are definitley looking up. I'll let you know tomorrow how
it goes and if
anything is needed. I'm off!
Tuesday March 21, 2000
I printed out the e-mails
I received from so many of you with your offers of
encouragement and support to let the police officers and officials
read them.
They were very impressed and touched. By late yesterday evening
the 110
survivors of the 150 birds were transported, watered, fed and
had preliminary
vet checks. They are in a large CLEAN facility where they will
be taken care of
and vetted as needed. We may still loose more of these precious
creatures. I was
told last night that grocery stores have already committed to
sending veggies
and fruits and other people and stores have donated pellets and
seed. They
wouldn't give me specifics. It seems that these officers have
made this their
mission but don't want the credit. The surviving birds will be
kept for at
least 4 months at this facility and then plans will be made from
there. I'm not
sure what the plans but they will let me know. Amazingly most
of these birds
seem to be free from other diseases but they are all malnourished
and quite a
few are missing toes. The poor little ones seem to just be very
depressed and
tired although a few if them perked up last night. I don't think
they quite
believe that their lives have changed for good. They were so quiet.
Hopefully it
will be much more noisier today.
Everyone thanks again!
This was so much easier to get through with all the
prayers and support. Keep praying for these guys. Please e-mail
others that you
have contacted to let them know the outcome so far. I would like
to keep in
touch with those in this area (Georgia). I hadn't any idea they
were out there.
God Bless Dee
Tuesday March 21, 2000
Hi everyone I feel like
I'm hogging this list lately but I couldn't wait till
tomorrow to send another update so since my puter is trashed at
home I rushed
back to school to e-mail everyone. Boy! was there racket in the
building tonite.
Everyone was whistling, chattering, squawking etc...... Yes, as
some have
speculated they were up to their birdie eyeballs in sweet potatoes,
spinach,
rice, and squash. So far everyone is hanging on. The officers
and their families
were out their spending time with these little ones. The birds
range from
budgies to macaws and toos and everything in between. Most of
them were set up
for breeding or young birds that haven't been handled much. I
was told that
these birds wouldn't be released for at least 4 months and then
they are not
sure what's going to happen. I'm just glad that they are being
cared for. Now
for the best news, last night they checked all the breeders nest
box and only
found one with eggs and a hen sitting on them. They were fertile
(3 black masked
lovebird eggs). They seemed to transport well and mom didn't get
overly excited.
Today one of the eggs hatched and moms doing a great job of feeding.
Vets
keeping a close eye to make sure she isn't wearing her self out.
They named the
baby Miracle and have already decided to name the other 2 Hope
and Faith. Isn't
that awesome! I'll let you know when the others hatch. Gotta go
home and take
care of my babies.
Dee
Thursday March 22, 2000
Hi everyone I'm working
on getting an address for people to send items since
everyone is so gernerous. They will not except money at this time.
I should have
an address by the end of the day. My emotions are very mixed today.
I learned
yesterday that a lot of the smaller birds are not making it(budgies,
tiels,
lovebirds, and a few conures and ringnecks) and one of the Green
Wings also gave
up the fight. The Vets are running gram stains and blood work
etc.. to identify
the cause and treat. On a better note "Gracie" (momma
lovebird) is in a seperate
room and has hatched another chick "Hope". Miracle is
also doing well and
"George" as they are calling the daddy is helping with
feedings . They a
wonderful little family. Have a great day Dee
Thursday, March 22, 2000
I've been in touch and
at this point there isn't the man power anywhere for
someone to sign off and accept and transport donations.
If everyone is comfortable with this arrangement the school said
I could have
items sent here and one of our service learning groups here at
school will help
with this project. We have a group here very interested in conservation
and of
course they are all familiar with my birds. Their parents have
volunteered to
help transport items when I can't. Thanks Dee
Friday March 23, 2000
Here is school's address
where items can be sent. (No
money or checks please)
any extra toys would be great. Thanks.
Summerour Middle School
C/O Dee Boydston Bird Rescue
585 Mitchell Road
Norcross, Ga. 30071-4299
The types of birds are
as follows:
2 B&G macaws
1 green wing
2 M2s
2 U2s
2 goffins
2 severes
15 various conures
7 ringnecks
3 mustahce
3 alexandrians
19 lovebirds
23 budgies
As you can tell if you add up the numbers we have lost some more
of these
darlings and the vet says its very likely only about 50% of these
guys are going
to make it. I hope this is a very conservative estimate. This
is just
heartbreaking. Gracie and her family are fine all 3 little ones
are hatched and
doing well ..Miracle, Hope and Faith. One of the toos as Beak
and Feather and
they have also found Aspergilliosis (spelling?). All test are
not back yet but
they have begun treatment.
Monday. March 27, 2000
It will be at least 4
months and up to 2 years before anything can be done. The officials
said these cases take forever because of all the appeals and that's
when they have the person in custody. So for right now I'll continue
to post generally and if things change Y'all will be the first
to know.
For those that asked..
yes. they are sure of the Beak and Feather, he is
quarantined. I've not heard anything else on that front. We've
lost a few more
this weekend. I found out Sunday evening. Several ringnecks and
conures.
Lovebirds (George, Gracie, Hope, Faith and Miracle) are doing
fine. They are
going to release the babies once weaned since they are not counting
them in the
original confiscation. Miracle will be coming home with me and
two of the police
officers will be taking Hope and Faith. So at least these little
ones will be
happy. Thanks again for all the support. Dee
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