August is Clear the Shelters month. Cooper says, “If you are thinking of adding a pet to your family, please consider adoption.”
Cooper’s Words of Wisdom
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Tag Archives: Adopt Don’t Shop
Abandoned
Last week a small flock of budgies were found on a Laguna Niguel trail. Mission Viejo Animal Services arrived and rounded up the budgies. The budgies were not able to fly and some appeared to have been injured by large birds.
The birds were fed and given water, given names and examined. They will be put up for adoption.
If you should find yourself unable to care for your birds, please do not set them free. Budgies are not likely to survive in the wild. Finding food and water is problematic, and they are likely to be attacked by animals and other birds.
Taking them to a shelter or rescue is their best chance for finding a safe, happy home.
You can read more about the budgies here.
Introducing Riley!
Last March I happened upon an adoption notice from the San Diego Humane Society. A budgie was brought in by a Good Samaritan with a horrible case of mites. As soon as I saw this little one’s photo, I knew we would be adding to our flock.
After a couple weeks of care from the shelter’s vets, Moonshine was ready for adoption. We brought her home on April 1st. We decided to rename her Riley, because now this tiny bird would be “living the life of Riley”.
Poor Riley was a mess. Her beak was overgrown and had a honeycomb appearance and she had growths on her face. She had frond-like growths on her feet and was missing some toenails and toe tips. She was also missing feathers around her eyes and had bare patches on her wings.
We kept her in a separate room for her (extended) quarantine period. Riley took some time to finger tame. She will now step up, but we still have a way to go before she is completely comfortable with her humans.
Since bringing Riley home, she has been to our avian vet for a full examination and repeated beak trimmings. The growths on her feet eventually dropped off, as did her facial growths. Her beak and cere have greatly improved. We still take her in every three weeks or so for a lower beak trim.
Riley hasn’t discovered her toys yet, but she has started to sing and chirp along with the other birds. She has also started to eat her fruits, veggies and greens. She is camera shy, and I can only get photos of her right side. When she steps up, she immediately turns to her right side. I’m wondering if this is a quirk, or if she might have some vision problems – something to ask the vet on our next visit.
Our “Smiley Riley” is a sweet little bird, and I’m hoping she will live a long, healthy and happy life with us. She is definitely a prime example of why it is best to “Adopt, not shop”.
I Am Happy, I Am Loved…
Comic strip by Jenny Jinya.
This is the sad reality for many pet birds. If you want to add a budgie to your family, do your research.
First, consider adopting. If your budgie will be spending most of its day alone, bring home two. Budgies are flock animals and need a friend. Budgies are noisy. Budgies are messy. Despite being inexpensive to buy, a budgie’s vet bills can be very expensive. Budgies require fresh food, which can be costly and take time to prepare. Some budgies require a lot of time and patience to tame. Budgies need stimulation – this means new toys (ours go through them quickly). Budgies need large, spacious cages. Budgies are a commitment, not a passing fancy. Please keep your budgie happy and loved.
From the artist:
Clear the Shelters
The annual Clear the Shelters Drive is this month.
Here is Ozzie when we brought him home from the animal shelter in 2012.
He had been attacked by a cat in someone’s yard. A good Samaritan brought him to the shelter where he was patched up. You can see he is missing his tail feathers.
Here is Ozzie today. Ozzie is a dream budgie. He loves to answer you when you talk to him. He is friend to everybirdie – and is the first to welcome a new budgie. He sets a good example by eating all his veggies. When he is ready to go to bed he hops up on his swing. Ozzie is such a sweet boy and is very patient when his humans give him too many kisses.
If you are looking to add a feathered friend to your family, please consider adopting.
A Happy Ending.
Munchkin finds his forever home.
Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
Ozzie, Alfie and Sido were all adopted from our local rescues and Sunny, Emmy, Gordie, Lera, Felix and Harvey are all rehomed (Craigslist). They have brought so much joy and love into our lives.
If you are thinking of adding a bird to your family, please consider adopting. These birds have so much to give and deserve a second chance at a loving, forever home.
Happy Ending
Last month over 80 cockatiels were rescued from a hoarding situation in San Diego. The Humane Society’s law enforcement division took the birds out. They were examined and yesterday were given the all clear for adoption.
The birds were up for adoption at 11 am. By 2 pm every one of the birds had been adopted. We are so happy the cockatiels have found new homes. We wish them and their new families all the best!
photos by San Diego Humane Society
You can read more on the story here.
National Bird Day
There are so many unwanted birds in shelters and rescues that need a new home. On National Bird Day, Cooper hopes that anyone looking to add a bird to their family considers adopting.