The Gabriel Foundation Update

[gbird]

Another heartbreaking hoarding intervention - this time nearly 100 parrots in need of help. TGF was contacted by Table Mountain Animal Center, Golden, CO and Jefferson County, Colorado Code Enforcement (Animal Control) last week about the immediate and voluntary relinquishment of more than 30 birds, part of a 100- plus flock of birds from a woman and her elderly parents. It was six days from the time of TGF's initial response to the bird intake.

We received 8 budgerigars, 9 cockatiels, 7 lovebirds - one was presented dead to us, the saddest Quaker we have ever seen and a banded racing pigeon.

Still in limbo, for two weeks longer, are several macaws, a cockatoo, an African Grey, 3 Amazons, Princess of Wales, more budgies, lovebirds, cockatiels and dozens of chickens.

This recent hoarding situation was not the first brought to TGF for help - it was the 4th in 18 months. These are the situations that we know of; how many lurk behind closed doors? Since euthanasia is not widely practiced for unwanted parrots, where are they all to go when help arrives? TGF still needs to make room for the many birds on its waiting list!

Animal hoarding is a very sad reality which has pathetic consequences for humans and animals. Abuse and neglect cross a fine line, but bottom line is that the birds, like all other animals in these situations, suffer from the human's affliction.

One of the wild birds, for which the Lory owner was charged with two counts of illegal animal possession, died on September 1. Living with a native- species wild bird is illegal, yet living with a parrot, still considered a wild bird, is not.

Latest estimates are that 40 million parrots are kept in US households, third in popularity after cats and dogs. The difference is that parrots may live beyond their 50's - while cats and dogs do not. Surveys show that most parrots have at least 7 homes during their lifetime and nearly 95% of all parrots kept as pets suffer from heart disease, respiratory disease, atherosclerosis, obesity - the same illnesses as humans. Free as a bird? Life spent in a cage is beset with stress for a majority of companion parrots.

From other Colorado animal shelters we received an Umbrella cockatoo, 3 Quakers, 9 budgies, a lovebird and 7 finches. Then, 2 lost budgies and a lost lovebird found us within the past two weeks. They are still unclaimed.

From two animal cruelty cases (charges not yet filed) we received 4 Greenwing macaws that had been living outside in inhumane and cruel conditions with all 4 (mom, dad and two offspring) housed in one way-too-small cage.

Then, from a couple reported for possible animal cruelty we intervened on behalf of 10 birds and took in 4 macaws, 2 male Eclectus, a Blue front Amazon, a Patagonian, an Umbrella and a Moluccan. (All birds in these two groups were being fed DRY DOG FOOD), and cages from the group of 10 used cat litter for cage substrate. Later, 4 macaws that had been placed in foster care with TGF were abandoned when the owner reclaimed only two of her macaws.

Many local, state and national animal shelters contact The Gabriel Foundation for assistance and help or to transfer their birds. This service provided by TGF was never even mentioned in the Lory cruelty case newspaper article.

Statewide, the foundation has received numerous calls for help from Pitkin County, Eagle County, Denver Dumb Friends League, The Buddy Center, Longmont Humane, Boulder Valley Humane, Larimer County Humane, Table Mountain Animal Center, Denver Municipal Animal Shelter, Jefferson County Code Enforcement, Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region - all for transfer of parrots to the Foundation. Each of these entities receives tax payer and other public funding for their programs - TGF does not.


The Gabriel Foundation®

[marwa]

wow .. that sad case I ever heard .. with some of the birds eating Dog Food !! poor things ... I'm suprise they survived this long before they was rescue (cant sp ) I wonder what going to happen now .. are they going to place them up for adoption or to santitarian where the bird will have a home permamently ...?

[gbird]

If they aren't adoptable, due to health issues, or mental, overbonding issues, they will have a forever home at TGF.

For those who aren't familiar with TGF, here are some pics so you can get an idea on what a fabulous facility this is:

[birdlady49]

So, gbird, are you a volunteer at TGF or? I knew the woman who had all the lories that were confiscated earlier this year. She used to be the "go-to" aviculturist for any lory questions. Even Dr. LaBonde referred people to her. Then she nose-dived. Last I heard she was giving her lories kool-aid.

According to the TGF site, her court appearance was in early September and was charged with two counts of owning illegal birds. But what about neglect/abuse charges? Were any charges filed for that? I guess I can ask Julie Murad the next time I see her ... or ask Dr LaBonde.

[aphoeniceus]

I live in Fort Collins and would love to visit your facility one day. Not sure if there is actually a foster program or not, but I might have to look into it. I have heard of you guys before, but never saw pictures of the set-up, it looks great! Sorry for the recent hoarding situations though, sure is a sad story :(

[sadiemom]

I've been doing home-based rescue for 3 years as part of a network of home-based rescuers in Alberta, which is about 1000 miles north of Denver. There is no sanctuary within 600 miles unfortunately. Still, we do what we can and think longingly about winning the lottery and establishing a sanctuary.

[Lisa B]

Gayla, thank you for your updates and for volunteering at TGF.
It is very sad....and we will see even more of this happening in the future.
I remember a time, where there were waiting lists at bird clubs for adoptions. as the clubs became few and far between the need for new homes for birds continued to grow.
I remember having to be on a list for 2 years before I found my first grey....now, its common place to see greys all over for adoption.
It breaks my heart.

[sparkysmom]

It really is a sad state of affairs. Poor babies.

[gbird]

Originally Posted by birdlady49

So, gbird, are you a volunteer at TGF or? I knew the woman who had all the lories that were confiscated earlier this year. She used to be the "go-to" aviculturist for any lory questions. Even Dr. LaBonde referred people to her. Then she nose-dived. Last I heard she was giving her lories kool-aid.

According to the TGF site, her court appearance was in early September and was charged with two counts of owning illegal birds. But what about neglect/abuse charges? Were any charges filed for that? I guess I can ask Julie Murad the next time I see her ... or ask Dr LaBonde.

Yeah I volunteer once a week. I live on the south side of Castle Rock, so it's only like 20 minutes from me. Dr LaBonde is Pitas vet. Is he your vet as well? I love him.

Not sure about the Lory case. They are doing OK, but they did loose some of them. They get fresh fruit necter now. The more recent hoarding case is still being worked on. Apparently she still has birds that she's refusing to turn over.



thanx Lisa xo

[swanwillow]

I would love to start a lory rescue... Its so sad what all those birds have to go through before they are brought into rescues.

But then, it makes you wonder how many others there are in those situations. Its easier to hoard parrots than cats/dogs. its a sad fact, but.