Home > Help Us > Gimme Shelter! > Issue 6: June 2006 > Henry: Small Comfort

Henry: Small Comfort

Several local animal control and humane society shelters rely on MAARS to take in birds from their facilities when the birds' care requirements exceed what the shelter is capable of providing. A couple of weeks ago we were contacted about a feather-destructive Conure at an area shelter who was in need of our services.

The bird, a Nanday Conure, was brought to the shelter after his guardian passed away. No other history was provided, not even a name or age. He arrived in a very small cage, with two small sandpaper perches and not a single toy. He was, indeed, without plumage over most of his body, and what feathers he did have were very soiled. He bore the familiar stainless steel leg band that was put on all imported, wild-caught parrots in U.S. quarantine stations, the joints in both of his wings were partially immobile and his feet were arthritic and also lacked full range of motion.

The bird was named Henry, and placed in a large, clean cage with plenty of perches, toys, and food. He was given a much-needed bath and gently dried with a towel. Henry was wary of hands but, safely wrapped in that towel, he closed his eyes while his head feathers were preened. For the first few hours he ate and drank almost constantly. He had trouble standing on both feet for very long and chose to rest on the large cotton rope perch we provided. Although Henry was quarantined from the other birds in his foster home, he was soon calling back and forth to the small flock in the next room.

The U.S. stopped importing almost all wild-caught birds for the pet trade back in 1992, so we know that Henry is at least fourteen years old. His physical condition — almost certainly caused by a cage too small to allow him to extend his wings, inadequate perches, no opportunity to bathe, and unimaginable boredom and isolation — led us to believe he was, perhaps, twice that age.

From now on, Henry will have plenty of space and light and toys and any other small comforts we can offer. Pain medication seems to have eased the discomfort in his feet, he has become more curious and less nervous, and he is learning that there will always be plenty of food for him to eat and water for drinking and bathing. Never again will he be alone in this world; he will be surrounded by friends for the rest of his days. No one can ever give back what was taken from Henry — his freedom, flight, feathers and flock are gone forever. Nor can we ever comprehend his loss or his will to live. But he is a survivor, one who deserves our reverence and respect.

Join the MAARS Flock Today…and Be the Wind Beneath Their Wings!

The MAARS Annual Membership Program gives you and our other loyal MAARS Supporting Flock Members the opportunity to help MAARS on an ongoing, sustaining basis. Your annual financial contribution will allow us to continue to provide and expand our valuable rescue, intake, care, veterinary and behavioral evaluation and treatment, adoption, sanctuary, outreach, and educational services for the displaced captive birds who we meet and the people whose lives they touch.

With so little, you can do so much to change the lives of birds like Henry. On average, it takes $1.00 per day to care for each MAARS bird. Every small donation makes a big difference, and big donations help even more. Your participation in the MAARS Annual Membership Program will help save and improve the lives of hundreds of parrots and other displaced captive birds.

Please join MAARS today! Give them shelter! Ease their pain! Stop the cycle! And know that you made one corner of the world a better place for another living creature!

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Mail a check or money order made out to "MAARS" to: MAARS, 1360 University Ave W #347, St. Paul, MN 55104.

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Midwest Avian Adoption & Rescue Services, Inc., is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Federal ID# 41-1944074) and is registered with the Office of the Secretary of State and the Office of the Attorney General of Minnesota as a charitable organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

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