Lori Rescue in Denver

[MiniMama]

A copy of a letter from the Gabriel Foundation. i"m going down with toys this week, and with anything else i can offer. Poor little things.

On Valentine's Day, TGF was contacted by the Denver Municipal Animal Shelter. 21 birds were seized from a lifetime of filth and squalor kept by an animal hoarder. The situation was dire for all animals in this person's home. We went to the shelter to evaluate the situation, provide nutrition and basic necessities including caging, perches, and enrichment. The shelter has no place to house birds so they were kept in a heated and separate store room, safe from the stress of dogs and cats.

We found 1 Duyvenbode's Lory, 4 Blue streaked Lories, 3 Red Lories, 1 Pygmy Lory, 3 Rainbow Lories, 2 Black Lories, a female Indian Ringneck, a female Plum headed parakeet, and 2 lovebirds, one of which has a severely overgrown beak, large hernia and crippled feet (she was probably a prolific breeder at one time). Also seized were 3 wild birds - a Blue Jay and 2 Magpies, illegal to own in Colorado unless by a licensed rehabber. These 3 were also in desperate condition - scissors' beaks, overgrown, long curled nails and awful featheration. 2 cats and a filthy, neglected box turtle were also brought in. Life with their owner was not kind to these animals.On February 15, we assisted Dr. Kris Ahlgrim as she performed initial physical exams for all birds as required by law to determine their state of health. On February 16, the owner formerly relinquished all birds to the animal shelter. On February 17, the shelter formally relinquished all birds to TGF.

As nectivores, lories require specialized care. Because of their liquid diets, they are messy to house. These birds had been fed a diet of Hawaiian Punch, bee pollen and acidophilus for years - and no doubt suffer from extreme malnutrition. They were routinely dosed with over the counter medications. These birds have not seen a veterinarian in years, if ever. We estimate that initial costs just to provide basic care for these birds will be $5000 to $7500 for veterinary and laboratory services, nutrition, enrichment, housing and rehabilitation.

The birds are now in quarantine at our Acoma Street location. Further lab testing is required for these birds during the quarantine period prior to placing them at our Aviary and Adoption Center or adopting them into a lifetime home. Many of the birds have quarantine open-bands dating from the early 90's, indicating that they were wild caught. Others appear to be offspring of some pairs, and are Colorado close-banded. Many of the birds are severely feather plucked. They are malnourished and appear to have not had any fresh air, natural sunlight or a bath in years. Some have permanent feather follicle damage; others have new wounds and old scars. Some of the birds may have been pets at one time - as we get to know them better we will provide weekly updates on their welfare.

We desperately need your help NOW for these birds. You can designate your tax exempt donation to the Lory Rescue Fund or make a general donation to TGF. Please know that your financial support, no matter how small, is greatly needed to help us continue to provide for these and the 350 other parrots who lost their homes through no fault of their own and live under our wing at the Aviary and Adoption Center.

Please give generously - these birds deserve a new life and a chance to thrive. We cannot succeed without your help. Thank you from all of us at TGF for helping to make a lasting difference in the lives of so many birds.

[Machelle]

WOW! I didn't even hear about this! Poor babies!