News from April, 2009

We have over 50 tiels in foster care, and 19 more "in the wings" waiting for space at the Mickaboo inn.  We can't help more cockatiels until we free up foster care space, by either adopting out tiels or getting more foster homes.  Can you help us help these birds? 

If you are interested in adopting one of these beautiful creatures, see our tiels at http://www.mickaboo.org/our-birds/species-4.html

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, please see http://www.mickaboo.org/adopt.html for information about the process.

Announcing Mickaboo's upcoming nail and wing trim clinic! 

Date: Sunday, April 26, 2009
Time: 12:30 - 4:30 PM
Location: Andy's Pet Shop, 1280 The Alameda (at Julian), San Jose, CA    (408) 297-0840

Cost: $10 for one service for one bird; $15 for both services for one bird.
Appointments are strongly recommended and must be received by noon, Saturday 4/25.

Have your bird's nails trimmed and wings clipped for your bird's safety and your comfort of mind. To make an appointment, email the following information to pr@mickaboo.org:

• How many birds of what species you will be bringing
• Which services (nail trim, wing clip) you want for which bird
• Any time slot preference.  We can do a maximum of two birds per 15 minute time slot.

(Example: "I will be bringing two African Greys.  One African Grey needs a wing trim; the second African Grey needs both nail and wing trims.  My first time preference is for 12:30 pm; my second time preference is for 3:15 pm.")

For the safety of all, please plan on bringing your bird(s) in a carrier or in a harness.
Payment will be accepted at the clinic in cash or check.

We have just received word that our recent intake Cockatoo, Bert, needs to be moved OUT of his current foster home ASAP.  Apparently, despite our best efforts  (and that of the vet staff at Oakley Med. Ctr. where he was prior to this move), his vocalizations are causing the foster family great distress and they need him moved immediately.

The complicating factor here is that Bert has a viral disease  (Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease)  that is contagious so he can not be in a home where there are any other birds (unless the other  birds also have PBFD).  Because of this, we can't consider our  usual "last resort" places, like other rescue sanctuaries, etc.   

Bert is an amazing bird for many reasons with the main one being  that he has survived a disease for 20 years now that usually kills its victims within 6 months.  He is very interactive, loves to dance  and loves people.   He has beaten such odds by being alive (and  enjoying life quite a bit, too!) it is a horrible shame that he  could be facing euthanasia simply because there is nowhere for him  to live.

If you know of anyone (friend, neighbor, even an acquaintance) who  might be willing to take on a bird with a *ton* of personality who also makes a *ton* of noise, please, please let us know ASAP by emailing mail@mickaboo.org.  Bert has, literally, nowhere to go

Mickaboo will have a table at the Marin Animal Adoption and Art Fair, hosted by The Marin Humane Society, on Saturday, May 16, 2009 from 10am - 3pm.  Free and fun for people of all ages!  Meet lots of adoptable animals!

The Marin Humane Society is at 171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd, Novato, CA

Directions: http://marinhumanesociety.org/AboutUs/Directions.html

Participating groups, other than Mickaboo, include:

            * The Animal Care & Adoption Network * SaveABunny * North Star Rescue * Cavy House *
                * Rattie Ratz Rescue * Muttville * Greyhound Friends for Life * Stefan Lyon Foundation *
                                                                      * and many local artists *

The following story is from one of our newer foster parents:

King is a scarlet macaw who came into my care about two months ago. I have been working with him to step-up on a stick for weeks. We had made some headway considering when he first came here, if he saw a stick he freaked out. At one point he even sent me to the emergency room. We have gotten to the point now where we play tug-o-war with the stick and once in a great while, he will hesitantly step-up on the stick to reach a treat. I have found he is more likely to step-up if I bring my Blue & Gold Paco in on the training sessions. I keep Paco well out of reach, but have him demonstrate things like stepping up, how to destroy a toy, how nice it is to be petted, etc, etc...

Well yesterday was huge for him. He not only stepped up fully onto the stick, he let me walk him through the house and onto the patio. He did a lot wing flapping, but never once tried to bite my fingers off. He then spent the day on a play tree getting lots of sunshine and fresh air in the company of the rest of my flock. At first he was a bit fearful, but I got him to calm down with treats and sweet talk. Once he relaxed he was very content and chattered away. He even let me give him head scritches yesterday! Really long ones before he would try to amputate a finger. Before, I was lucky to even touch his beak without losing a finger. When it was time to go in, he stepped up with minimal hesitation and then we "flapped" our way in to the cage for dinner. That night at bed time he stuck his beak through the cage bars and let me stroke his tongue! I was in heaven!!

Of course this morning he denies any of that ever happened and says he still wants one or two of my fingers for breakfast. But yesterday was just golden. It confirmed my suspicion that there was a loving bird under that big tough mean guy posture and let me know I am slowly earning his trust.

**

Interested in becoming a foster parent to enrich (or save) the lives of these special birds, and maybe have a special moment of your own?  The signup procedure is here: http://www.mickaboo.org/adopt.html.

Our own Elizabeth Young was in today's San Francisco Chronicle, speaking about her "wing" of Mickaboo.  See the article here !

Thanks to Katie Slider, one of Mickaboo's volunteers, for making this video of one of the macaws under our wing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwEFyvTqMOg&feature=channel_page

More information about Poppy is here: http://mickaboo.org/our-birds/frame2664.html

There are many birds like Poppy who need volunteers like the ones in front of and behind this camera, and a rescue organization like Mickaboo. Your donation of time (as a volunteer), or funds (no matter how small the amount - these times are tough on us all!), will allow Mickaboo to keep helping them.