TARA/ParrotCare

You have reached my favorite page, the one about Parrots, their Rescue, Adoption and Education .

I would like to first share ParrotCare. I have been fortunate to have been part of an organization In San Diego where parrots came to retire, rehabilitate and be observed as to their behavior. I spent many many hours, weekends and days there. I was able to observe varied and different species. I saw how housing was set up for large groups. There was the "buddy" system for birds that didn't want to breed but wanted to have a companion. I was also able to be part of the breeding and handfeeding process of many different species. I learned alot from being able to have Hands On experience and learned that the most important tool you can have when you are with Parrots = Observation.

This experience and my own growing flock has enabled me to learn so much about parrots and their captive care. But it has also shown me that there is so much more for us to learn. One of the best ways to learn is to get together with others in order to share experiences and observations. Thanks to the Electronic Age and the WWW, I have gone online and joined several bird mailing lists. I have been able to share and learn alot from the exchange of information between bird owners.

Maybe because I am a teacher by profession, I wanted a way to help educate parrot owners to improve conditions for their parrots. My friend Barbara and I had already set up TARA. We got together and decided that we should prepare a curriculum for basic parrot care. We had taken a similar course from our friend in San Diego. Without that class I would most likely not have been as successful as I am in understanding my parrots and their behavior. We got to the point that we were both getting so many behavior help calls that we needed to have a forum where we could address them as well as give out basic care. Alot of behavior "problems" can be corrected just by understanding what your parrot's needs are. Barb & I got together and created ParrotCare = A four week class covering the basics in Parrot keeping. We hold our classes at a local pet store ( whose employees got a shortened version of the class in order to help them give better service to their customers who are buying or asking about birds) and also our vet's office. This store has even asked us to create a basic bird card brochure that they can give out to their customers. We are in the process of adding another vet office to our locations. We were on TV in November as a local station was interested in what we were doing. So Sequoia got to do her famous "what does a dog say..........WOOF" on TV. And we got the word out about ParrotCare.

We are already looking to create different classes to address other needs of parrot people. We are at this time creating curriculum for a " So You Think you Want a Parrot" class for people wanting to get a bird for the first time. We have not forgotten the "smaller" parrots either and are designing a class for them. And we have had requests to give an advanced class that will deal with specific behavior modifications as well as other issues that are custom to our clients and trick training.

Without education, our relationship with the Avian world will suffer. As more and more species become endangered, we lose our ability to understand how they are in the wild. We must remember that parrots are still wild animals. They are not domesticated like others are. We are still along way from understanding what they need in our world of captive care. Each species is different. Each has their own needs when it comes to nutrition, housing, toys and socialization. I am still using my observations and information shared with others to learn more each day about parrots. Most of my fids will outlive me. I hope to be able to pass on as much knowledge as I can to the people who will continue my love of these wonderful creatures.

TARA

TARA, Tucson Avian Rescue & Adoption , was created because Barbara & I were unable to add any more "rescue" birds to our already growing flocks. We kept receiving calls by people either wanting to add a parrot to their home, or most likely, people needing to find homes for the birds that they had. We have been very successful in finding what we feel are good homes for "rescue" birds. We do not "warehouse" birds, but rather have prospective adopters fill out a four page application so that we can better match a bird to them based on their level of parrot experience. We are hoping to also hold monthly meetings or even workshops for our adopters so we can help each other do even better by the birds. Sometimes it is hard to wait for a bird. But a couple of our adopters have found that waiting was well worth it. We also work with the local Humane Society when they have people call them about birds or when birds come into the shelter.

I am also part of an Online Avian Rescue Organization. I am in touch with other avian rescuers all over the country, sharing ideas, suggestions and helping other people "rescue" birds from bad situations. We may raise funds to "ransom" a bird, or just be able to provide transportation for them. Sometimes all we can do is offer moral support. I have been fortunate in helping people find homes for birds without ever leaving my house. The Internet is a wonderful tool for getting people together to help birds find a new home. I have been able to utilize the knowledge of others in order to help someone deal with problems of a certain species. My online friends are always there to help someone.

Not only has TARA found homes for parrots, but we have also been successful in reuniting lost parrots with their families. A friend found a Bare Eyed Cockatoo. Through our efforts, Thea's family was found. We also were able to find the family of a cockatiel that had flown most of the way across town. (clip those wings!!) Earlier this year, working together with the local bird club, we were able to get a Patagonian back with her family within days. There is a wonderful online organization that is called Bird Hotline dedicated to the return of lost parrots to their owners. Please visit their website.

Rescue is a serious thing when it comes to parrots. You are dealing with a being that is very intelligent and most likely not able to understand abuse or neglect. If you know of such a bird, try educating the owner, or letting an avian rescuer know.

Here is a list of my rescued flock and why each one is here with me today. And with me they will stay.

Nadia.........white capped Pionus.........abused physically in pet store and somewhat neglected.

Sophie......Bare Eyed Cockatoo........abandoned as a baby after me being told she was "weaned" at three months old. She was force weaned at that age and it took me a year to get her on the right track

Sammy....yellow collar macaw.......was with a good family who realized that they no longer had the time to care for his needs like they should

Sydnee.....rainbow lorikeet.......was housed in a too small cage with an aggressive sibling at a pet store. Owner let me have her at a very good price as she knew this bird had to get out of there.

Waldo.....umbrella cockatoo......was an impulse buy on a trip to Hawaii. Bird was being kept in a laundry room.

I have had others in my care, but have placed them in homes where they are happier.

Birds and other animals are abused every day. Rescue is important. Please help when you can......

New

I have created a special mailing list for Rescued Birds and their Rescuers!

You may subscribe @ http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/AvianSafelyHome

Click to subscribe to AvianSafelyHome

With this list, I hope to create a community where all rescuers can come together and help each other learn what will make an easy transition for them and their rescued parrot......

if you have any problems subscribing under that URL, go to www.onelist.com, click animals, then Birds...and I am on the 3rd or 4th page.......