In The Media                                                                                                                

Parrots flock to RBC to cash in
By Ursula Maxwell-Lewis - Cloverdale Reporter

Published: July 01, 2009 10:00 PM
Updated: July 03, 2009 1:40 PM

Royal Bank patrons got unusually raucous greetings on Saturday. Mr. Bubbles, an Timneh African Grey, and Mango, a Double Yellow Headed Amazon, came along with Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary Communications Director, Robin Fiorese and dedicated volunteer, Monika Habart (left) to publicize their appeal for new Greyhaven facilities. Ursula Maxwell-Lewis photo







 

Surprised Royal Bank patrons discovered they weren’t the only ones flocking to the Cloverdale bank machine on Saturday.

Mango, a Double Yellow Headed Amazon and Mr Bubbles, a Timneh African Grey, were bobbing enthusiastically in and out of their cages under the watchful eyes of Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary Communications Director, Robin Fiorese, and dedicated volunteer Monika Habart in the bank foyer, as patrons dropped off bottles and cans in support of the association.

Parrots and parakeets are sociable characters, so the colourful, inquisitive birds brought in by Fiorese and Habart were thoroughly enjoying themselves. So were their visitors - many of whom were local youngsters arriving with their parents.

Greyhaven, which was established in 1998, has been without a permanent bird sanctuary for three years. The non-profit association is earnestly searching for affordable, heated, 1,000 square feet of space with running water in which to get birds ready for adoption. “Intakes have increased from 87 to 110 just in the last month. Since January 2009. Adoptions are also up compared to this time last year,” said Fiorese. “Adoptions have gone from 94 to over 100. There definitely needs to be more education on why NOT to buy a parrot.”

Fiorese was delighted that RBC allowed this very visible on-site fundraiser to raise awareness of how many birds are virtually landing on the shoulders of the association. “This shows people the number of birds coming in, the need we have for fundraising, and the importance of a place not only to house the birds but to educate the public on what it means to own, and care for, an exotic bird,” she explained.

“We are trying to raise funds to have our own place where we can have the public come to us, get educated {about the birds}, and volunteer to care for the rescued birds before adopting one to see what it takes to care for them properly.”

“Our needs for our own place would need to include hot water, heat, a washroom, one level, wheel chair accessible, on a bus route,” she explained. “It also needs to be secure and safe with a fair bit of room so we can build flights for the birds.”

A quarantine room, an education room and an office are also essential. “About 1,000 to 1,500 square feet would probably work,” she said.

As we talked Cindy Koch arrived with Pepper, her 10-year-old Sun Conure perched on her shoulder.

Koch says she fell in love with the birds many years ago in a pet shop and now has four feathered friends - three of which were adopted from Greyhaven. She volunteered with Greyhaven for about five years and keeps in touch both with the society and other bird owners. “We even have bird parties sometimes,” she laughed.

Greyhaven is a registered, non-profit society, so tax receipts are available to those in a position to donate.

Donations of good, clean bird cages, fresh fruit and veggies, Canadian Tire dollar coupons, and cash, as well as empty bottles and cans, would also be gratefully accepted.

Upcoming events, the mission statement and some of the history of the organization are all listed on the website at www.greyhaven.bc.ca.
 

E-mail: info@greyhaven.bc.ca