17 Year Old Amazon Needs Your Help

[Jamieleigh]

Hi Everyone,

As most of you know, Cathy has been trying to rehome an Amazon in need for quite some time now. I think everyone here felt their heart ache at her story and thread - I know mine did and this is why I am writing.

I pooled together all my resources that I could, called in several favors and was able to locate a 17 year old female, yellow head Amazon for Cathy. This is something I have never done before but I felt that Cathy could provide a healthy and loving home for this bird in need.

After I located the bird, I proceeded to set up all the shipping details, get price quotes, etc. The bird is able to ship out by May 10th as the rescue was willing to hold on to the bird for a couple weeks. And then I received some awful news...

Unfortunately, there were circumstances out of Cathy's control that are making it impossible for her to be able to cover the shipping costs for the bird.

It's my goal to be able to raise $150 from this forum to be able to cover the shipping expenses involved to get Cathy this rescue bird. If we can get just ten people to donate $15, Cathy's dream of rehoming an Amazon in need can come true this month.

I'm willing to be the first person to donate $15, so that just leaves nine more people.

If you're one of those 9 other people who is willing to help make this possible, please read on to see how you can help.

We have created a special fund entitled the "Amazon Rescue Fund". We'll keep this account open for 9 days from today, and then we'll pay for the shipping, and Kathy will have her bird. You can send donations by following the directions below:

(Directions Removed)

On May 10 we will cut a check, and send it in to pay for the shipment in full. (They will receive the check within a few days, and plan the exact shipping date at that point.)

Also, any money collected above and beyond the $150 for shipping, will be donated to the rescue facility that has been so kind to donate this bird after hearing Cathy's story.

Thank you all so much for helping contribute to a great cause. I hope we can do this for Cathy's sake, as well as for this future loving Amazon.

Jamieleigh

[Don]

In the years I have been raising birds I have come to believe that those who cannot afford the birds they want, usually cannot afford to care for them either.

I think this situation is well meaning but enabling, she cannot afford to pay for a bird, she cannot afford to pay for the shipping, what will happen if the bird needs to see a Vet, and it should see a Vet within a week of her getting it.

But I do not understand why this list is expected to do handouts, just because someone who cannot afford a birds wants a free one.

Don

[Venda]

...Don,
I agree with you. This troubles me for the very reasons you stated.

[Dot]

Jamie, I have to post something here and I hope you don't take it personally. I would post the same thing even if Larry had written this. I saw something similar to this on another board and while the motives are pure, I don't think this has been properly thought through. What about accountability? On that other board I had no idea who would see the funds. There was no system of checks and balances. Message boards are just not set up for things like this. I hope you guys can understand what I am trying to say and that no one takes offense.

[Don]

What about the accountability for the birds future ?

When I wanted certain birds, I skrimped and saved and did what I had to to be able to afford them, and that includes their housing, foods and health.

I want things too - but I expect to get them without begging and depending on the heart strings of good folks.

Let the flaming begin :)
Don

[CrystalinNC]

Where is the bird?
How close to Cathy is it?
I have seen cases where people have driven a bird from person to person until it got to who it needed to go to.
Then maybe any money you have raised can go to a local vet as a credit to help offset any vet bills.
Has the bird received a clean bill of health from a vet via the rescue? If so...then no need to really take him again and expose him to all kinds of nasties.
Please keep us posted on any progess.

[MaryG1959]

I agree totally, I do not purchase birds and choose only to adopt....HOWEVER! I have SEVERAL birds who were adopted that cost WAY more than any newly weaned chick.

I've spent more on vet bills for one of my birds than it would've cost for 3 newly weaned chicks. Do I regret it? "H" NO! I would do it again in a minute, but if you cannot afford to have a bird shipped to you for 150 dollars there is no way you will be able to spend the "possible" thousands for a birds health care, cages, food, housing etc.

Remember, this is all about the birds, not egos, not your wants or needs---only the birds needs.

[FoxersArtist]

This comes as a bit of a shock to me as I had been in contact with Cathy about possibly adopting a white fronted amazon who is on our waiting list. No promises had been made but the application process had begun. Someone should let me know what's going on so that I can make an informed decision about this amazon as to when he will be entering my home. I fully agree that adoption fee's and shipping fee's, if they apply are very important in showing responsibility. Furthermore, patience is truly a virtue and those who cannot wait for the right bird for them, probably should not be seeking a pet parrot in the first place. Did this other rescue even require a screening process? It seems like an awful quick decision. Just MHO.
-Anna

[too&me]

Sounds like more than one bird is available at this time the ideal would be for the bird to help in the selection process but that sounds rather difficult. A lot of questions but we have not heard from Kathy. Jamie you have a generous heart & should be commended for caring about others & the birds. I knew you were intelligent and had a more bird experience than most people your age it is good to know about your kind heart as well. :hart:

[CrystalinNC]

Sounds like more than one bird is available at this time the ideal would be for the bird to help in the selection process but that sounds rather difficult. A lot of questions but we have not heard from Kathy. Jamie you have a generous heart & should be commended for caring about others & the birds. I knew you were intelligent and had a more bird experience than most people your age it is good to know about your kind heart as well. :hart:

I couldn't agree more! =)

[Evelyn]

JamieLeigh -

I think it is commendable that you are trying to help somebody acquire a bird, BUT (you knew there would be one, didn't you?), if she can't afford the shipping charges, she can't afford the bird. As you no doubt know, the initial outlay is nominal compared to what the costs of properly caring for it are.

I'm also concerned that the people who are giving up the bird would ship it to somebody without meeting her or knowing anything about her.

And, while there are few restrictions on this board, I don't think asking members for contributions is something we should permit.

Your heart is in the right place

THis just doesn't feel right all the way around.

Evelyn

[Evelyn]

What about the accountability for the birds future ?

When I wanted certain birds, I skrimped and saved and did what I had to to be able to afford them, and that includes their housing, foods and health.

I want things too - but I expect to get them without begging and depending on the heart strings of good folks.

Let the flaming begin :)
Don

No flaming from here. I agree with you 100%

Evelyn

[Jamieleigh]

Hey guys,

I just wanted to let you all know that I am in fact reading everyone's replies but I'm choosing to write people privately in response as I sort of feel like I may have ended up humiliating Cathy publicly on this forum with this thread instead of helping her.

Jamieleigh

[bonnie]

I don't think she should feel humiliated. We are amoung friends, family actually. If I were going to do something I wasn't prepared for, I would hope my friends and family would tell me what they think. That is all that is happening here.

[too&me]

Most of us have had some big bumps in our own roads, financial, health wise and otherwise. This is a family tied together by choice and you both are part of the whole. Please do not think that any of us think less of you or Cathy we do care about both of you and most of us have been through hard times. That is what makes us stronger and wiser.