Here I Go, I Hope I Don't Sound Like An Idiot...

[Courtzrocks]

I think you are an idiot...for thinking that we...bird people, would want to put you down for saving the thing we are all passionate about! Go for it!! If I inherited alot of money I would love to do the same thing! Well..the hy thing, I would have to inherit over $100,000 here but otherwise I would love to save birds in need! GO FOR IT!! I barely know you and I am so proud of you!!!

[Vilas]

I would love to help out a bird organization like The Lily Foundation, here in Orange Co., CA. I've been trying to come up with some idea that would benefit them. And if I had that kind of money... I would be doing a lot of volunteering for birds and dogs!

[donnakris]

I think it's wonderful what you want to do. It's great when someone wants to give back and helping birds is a wonderful way to do that. If I suddenly came into money, that would be one of the things I'd love to do. Everytime I see a bird that needs a good home, I just cringe at the thought of not being able to bring them home. I saw a rainbow lory last weekend that was living in horrible conditions. The cage was just filthy and no toys.
Good luck on helping the birds.

[kali]

i'm glad you have the heart to want to help animals instead of spending it on yourself :)

kelly really needed to say that kind of thing in a PM instead of on the thread...

and congrats, you can swing some moeny my way too if you like ;)

cheers!

[jmfleish]

There are a lot of really good causes out there such as the AFA and World Parrot Trust. I don't know that I would go down the zoo route. There are also a lot of endangered parrots that are a lot worse off than the Hys. One that I dearly love that isn't even protected here in the states is the Philippean Red Vent Cockatoo. Darn near extinct in the wild. To make sure that breeding programs are fruitful would be amazing or to try to reintroduce them into the wild would be another wonderful feat.

I think that what you are trying to do is very admirable but I also want to caution you on where you put your money. There are a lot of rescues out there who are not what they seem to be. I agree that The Gabriel Foundation and probably Mickaboo are one of the few that I would really feel comfortable giving money to. Whoever you decide to give to, make sure you know where your money is going and keep a close eye on it.

[Freedomoflight]

Originally Posted by kellywess

If you want to help there were about 30 Macaws seized in Orange County Virginia that were abandoned and guess what... some of them are HYBRIDS! There are also a couple of Hyacinths, they are mostly breeder birds and will not be able to be rehomed. All but a few who are being boarded at a vets office and the rest are being sent to a Bird Sanctuary in Louisa. You say you want to help people who want to take in unwanted parrots... well how come you knock on people like me who have taken in HYBRID macaws. Well here is your chance to walk your talk Ms. Macaw Advocate.

Please keep this subject on topic and remain using a respectful tone. Thank you

[Amie]

I think it's a wonderful plan. And I don't think a single bad thing about you not thinking yourself qualified to run a rescue. My mother was a foster parront for a rescue for years, and there isn't a single person who has the expertise to run one alone. That's why you need fosters and other workers, which is a LOT to coordinate. My mother was the Too and Grey expert. Another person took in mainly macaws. Macaws wouldn't have really worked in our foster room, though, as Toos wouldn't have worked in the macaw foster home. It's a lot of work, and if you don't want it to be your ONLY line of work, then there is absolutely nothing wrong with helping in another way.

Anyone who harps on you because of HOW you choose to help needs to take a step back. It's like being angry that someone donates to a charity in Africa when there are charities in America. The good act NEEDS to happen. Both good acts need to happen. So who cares which one you choose to do. There was a need for it, and it was good. If anyone has a problem with which good you choose to do, they need to examine their own conscience.

Originally Posted by kellywess

If you want to help there were about 30 Macaws seized in Orange County Virginia that were abandoned and guess what... some of them are HYBRIDS! There are also a couple of Hyacinths, they are mostly breeder birds and will not be able to be rehomed. All but a few who are being boarded at a vets office and the rest are being sent to a Bird Sanctuary in Louisa. You say you want to help people who want to take in unwanted parrots... well how come you knock on people like me who have taken in HYBRID macaws. Well here is your chance to walk your talk Ms. Macaw Advocate.

In Lorelai's defense, the adoption and rehoming of hybrids was NEVER looked down on. Just the intentional breeding of. The original post you took offense to was misinterpreted. Lorelai seems to believe that the birds themselves aren't the problem, just supporting the intentional breeding of them.

[Izzy]

I just wanted to mention that The Gabriel Foundation is COMPLETELY open to the public. I can't remember the website, but you can see exactly where ALL of their money goes each year. I'm sure if you e-mailed the foundation's director, you could get the website and do more research on where their money goes each year.

Another idea would be to contact a rescue/organization, and talk to them about using your money for something specific. The Gabriel Foundation is the only rescue I've worked with recently, but I know they are working on plans to make a fourth building with additional flights. You could make a donation for something specific like that, and then you could see exactly what your money went to.

Good luck, and like the others have said, no one's gonna bash you here!

[birdsnreps]

if i were gonna help out a parrot rescue, i would not actually give them money, i would buy them some food or some toys. i wouldnt ever trust them with my money, i know of too many who use the donations for body ink, to pay their bills, fix up their cars, etc.....if they are a good rescue, they will happily accept food, toys or perches for the birds.

[kellywess]

Originally Posted by kali

i'm glad you have the heart to want to help animals instead of spending it on yourself :)

kelly really needed to say that kind of thing in a PM instead of on the thread...

and congrats, you can swing some moeny my way too if you like ;)

cheers!

You dont understand that this person has attacked me personally in my PM box for having a Hybrid. I cant quote in a public forum what this person said to me.