#259333 - 02/06/16 11:46 PM
Rescue Advice
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8
Jen Ward
New Member
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New Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8
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Hello All,
First, thank you for this forum which helps domestic Cockatoos experience the healthiest, happiest lives they can with their people mates!
My mother-in-law is a flock-mate to KC, a Cockatoo she's shared her home with for the past 20 years. She acquired KC when he was one year old.
My mother-in-law has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, which has spread to her liver and lymph nodes, and we're not sure how much time she has left of earth with us. Of course, she is tremendously concerned about KC. How do I go about finding a secure, "intelligent" and caring home for this magnificent bird?
We are near St. Louis, and we have STAR (St. Louis Avian Rescue).
Are any of you familiar with this organization? I am really hesitating simply "surrendering" KC to a rescue… My hope is to find a home that is looking for a healthy, secure, entertaining and social bird - someone who has experience with Cockatoos. KC showers in the shower, rides well in a car, dances, talks, walks/strolls indoors and out. His wings are not clipped, but he doesn't fly. He's a snuggler with my mother-in-law.
No one in our immediate family is willing to take him in, because, (as you all know), having a Cockatoo requires a lot of time, effort and attention - we don't feel we would do him justice.
Thank you for any insight you may provide.
Warmly,
Jen Ward
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#259354 - 02/13/16 04:59 PM
Re: Rescue Advice
[Re: Specialist Elbru]
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8
Jen Ward
New Member
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New Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8
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Yes, KC would be a fabulous candidate for re-homing; that is our hope. Sadly, my mother-in-law passed early this week, having been diagnosed with cancer not even two weeks ago : (
Fortunately, we have no time-urgency in finding KC a perfect home and rest assured, any potential new home will be scrutinized, screened and vetted over the course of time. We would never, ever surrender KC to just any person, to a person who has never shared a home with a Cockatoo, etc.
I am going to contact KC's avian vet, word-of-mouth here, and as a last resort - we will begin a dialogue with STAR (St Louis Avian Rescue) and follow our gut. We understand the finances involved, especially with rescues. I have worked with dog rescues - both adopting from and raising funds for them -Family members (including us) will be adopting the 3 dogs and 2 cats who are KC's "siblings" - but KC needs a home with someone with more bird experience and time than any of us can offer.
I truly appreciate the information everyone has shared here. Thank you very much for sharing tips, suggestions and wisdom. I wasn't trying to solicit anything, simply - I was trying to become more informed - and this seemed like the place - and it has been very helpful, so thank you once more.
In any regard, KC belongs to our family-flock now, and we will love, dote, respect and care for him until we find the perfect new family flock that seems like a match made in heaven.
Specialist Elbru - I would certainly take you up on your offer to have you communicate with other parrot message boards to obtain any information about rescues in the St. Louis area - again, the rescue route being a last resort for us. (This is the only board I am active on.)
Thanks again.
With warm regards, Jen Ward
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#259362 - 02/14/16 04:04 PM
Re: Rescue Advice
[Re: Jen Ward]
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 229
Specialist Elbru
Member
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Member
 

Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 229
Texas, USA
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Sadly, my mother-in-law passed early this week, having been diagnosed with cancer not even two weeks ago : ( Sorry to hear of our loss, I'm sure it is very difficult for your wife. It will also be difficult for KC, birds become attached to specific people and when those people are gone, the birds also grieve in there own way. In times like this I'm sure you will not have a lots of spare time. It is also a loss in the sense that your mother-in-law's insight into KC is now lost. Just remind the family to forward paperwork and other information related to KC to you. You might also be able to collect word of mouth stories about KC and other background information from the family. I would certainly take you up on your offer to have you communicate with other parrot message boards to obtain any information about rescues in the St. Louis area - again, the rescue route being a last resort for us. I will be posing on your behalf.
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#259721 - 06/09/16 05:44 AM
Re: Rescue Advice
[Re: Jen Ward]
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 10
carolpalmer
New Member
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New Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 10
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Hello Jen, First of all I am really sorry for you. I can understand the predicament you are in. Don’t worry there are many good minded services who do everything for the welfare of animals and birds. They also make sure they are rehabilitated to safer haven. Even orphaned birds and animals are rehabilitated. I once had the services of Hawkeye, http://www.hawkeye.ca/canada-the-art-of-falconry-birds-of-prey-rehab/bird-of-prey-rehabilitation a wildlife relocation service in rehabilitating an injured bird which took refuge in my backyard. Why not try approaching such services? If you need more help feel free to revert back. Meanwhile if I get more info I would definitely post. I would do anything for the welfare of these mute creatures.
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