Raffle for the Alex Foundation

[Joel]

I personally wouldn't want to try to help, in any way, current or future research on an intelligent creature that is kept handicapped, for the most part, in an indoor lab setting like Alex was. JMO.

[Cat24]

Originally Posted by Anaconda

I personally wouldn't want to try to help, in any way, current or future research on an intelligent creature that is kept handicapped, for the most part, in an indoor lab setting like Alex was. JMO.

Anaconda....if you don't have anything positive or constructive to say, why don't you keep your opinion to yourself....all I've seen so far is alot of unnecessary forcing of your beleifs on others. Birdmom did something great for a foundation she supports to help them raise some money. There is no need to be rude to her for doing something like that...

oh and as a student of psychology I fully respect what those scientists are doing...and I love the quilt birdsmom....I think I may have to buy a ticket for the raffle...thanks for the link...I'd never heard of the Alex Foundation before, so that's fantastic and I totally learned something new today. Thanks!

[Joel]

No one is forcing any beliefs on anyone Cat24. Just expressing my opinion whether you agree with it or not. You too ought to consider using the Ignore User Feature. I belief that feature is available here on B.B.?

There have been many discussions, debates, arguments, etc. on what went on with Alex before he prematurely and sadly died. Many bird lovers felt and still do, that the way Alex was kept & treated was either wrong or could have been done in a better way but yet many felt it was ok. Two different schools of opinion and belief. Everyone's input on this matter, whenever, may hopefully keep other African Greys and other species of birds from having their lives cut short, possibly because some people put research grants and notoriety ahead of the welfare of creatures like Alex.

If society wants info. on how smart Greys are, maybe grants instead should be given to African Grey keepers who keep their birds fully flighted in an outdoor tropical aviary with flighted members of their own species, with mind stimulating toys, with exposure to beneficial natural daily sunshine and proper humidity. The same "research" can be done in these type of settings which are less stressful on the birds themselves. If Pepperberg doesn't know how to accomplish this, maybe someone else who does should get her future grant money. I would rather be an African Grey in the setting I just mentioned than one kept unnaturally in a lab.

[Franciscus]

Originally Posted by Anaconda

I would rather be an African Grey in the setting I just mentioned than one kept unnaturally in a lab.

Perhaps you are right, perhaps not. I think Alex had a great life as opposed to most greys living with humans. He was intelectually stimulated every day and had loads of attention and loving care.


What a generous donation birdmom1.

[TAGyourIT]

Originally Posted by Franciscus

Perhaps you are right, perhaps not. I think Alex had a great life as opposed to most greys living with humans. He was intelectually stimulated every day and had loads of attention and loving care.


What a generous donation birdmom1.

What she said....exactly

[birdmom1]

Anaconda if you had done any real research and reading about the Alex Foundation you would know that they do not receive any grants from anyone. They raise all of their own funding. Hence the donation of the quilt. Please have all of the facts before your voice an opinion. That way you won't sound ignorant. JMO

[Joel]

Originally Posted by Franciscus

Perhaps you are right, perhaps not. I think Alex had a great life as opposed to most greys living with humans. He was intelectually stimulated every day and had loads of attention and loving care.


What a generous donation birdmom1.

Yes, in comparison, I tend to agree with you Franciscus regarding Alex having a better life (but far from the best) with Pepperberg than with many or "most" African Grey keepers. And yes, everything I have said regarding Alex and Pepperberg is my opinion from all that I have read and all that was discussed and argued and debated on many of these Internet bird related boards, not just this one.

Question for you though: If you yourself were kept in a lab, intellectually stimulated and "loved" (however you personally define love), would you prefer that life over running, swimming and playing sports with all your friends outside in your natural or as close to natural as possible environment?

Yes, that was a generous thing Birdmom1 did for what she believes in, I just don't share those beliefs and have chosen to express my own feelings about future research of the same kind on poor unfortunate birds such as Alex wound up being.

Info. for TAGyourIT: Franciscus is a guy.

Birdmom1, I have to look back to see myself if I said The Alex Foundation itself was receiving or has received any grants. I don't believe I said that, please quote in the future when you are making accusations. I thought I said Pepperberg.

Now if Pepperberg or her "people" did not receive any grants, then I have to stop believing what I hear and read on many of these boards, from people who seem to be knowledgeable on the subject.

[birdmom1]

[/QUOTE]Birdmom1, I have to look back to see myself if I said The Alex Foundation itself was receiving or has received any grants. I don't believe I said that, please quote in the future when you are making accusations. I thought I said Pepperberg.

Now if Pepperberg or her "people" did not receive any grants, then I have to stop believing what I hear and read on many of these boards, from people who seem to be knowledgeable on the subject.[/QUOTE]

There have not been any grants for animal research for more then a decade. Not for DR Pepperberg, the Alex Foundation or anyone. Dr Branson Ritchie faces the same problem. When these grants dried up researchers had to raise there own funds. So I don't know where you have gotten your information. Unless it is very old information.

Oh and by the way DR Pepperberg is the Alex Foundation.

[Lisa B]

Hum, I would be one that has been involved in The Alex Foundation for several years....Infact, I have hosted several fundraisers and dinners for the Foundation. I know a bit more about Alex and his life, then the average bear,.
With that, I have learned which battles to fight and which to ignore. Carol, dont let it get ya. Everyone has views and opinions. Beautiful quilt, I hope you will be seeing it in my house someday when you come down to visit.
Thanks for your continued support of The Alex Foundation.

oh and for the record, I have also been involved with Fundraising for other causes, and Dr Ritchie and PDD being one of them.

[Joel]

That is what I thought but wasn't sure of, that Dr. Pepperberg is the Alex Foundation like you just said.

So I have to believe you, for now, that Dr. Pepperberg has not received any grants whatsoever in the past, before Alex died, to study all that she was studying relating to him. When I get time, I will look into it further.

Lisa, since you said that you have been close to the Alex Foundation for yrs., may I ask you if Dr. Pepperberg or the A.F. has received any grant monies towards their studies involving Alex etc...?

T.I.A.