Save Companion Parrots through Rescue & Education

PEAC is Staying Connected While We're Staying at Home! 

Dear Donors and Supporters,

We hope this finds you and your family safe and healthy as we send you these warm greetings. We've been doing our best, learning to navigate this new and changing reality we find ourselves in. We certainly miss our adoption fairs and meeting everyone in person. We miss meeting each of you personally every month for our meet and greet classes. We feel quite lucky that many of us have been able to work from home, which has caused a delay in sending our newsletter out - my sincerest apologies for this lag. 

Over the past several months, our volunteers have genuinely worked so hard answering emails and questions about companion parrot care, sharing and responding to social media, and completing adoptions. We recently started our monthly classes again (in a virtual format.)  

We have so much news to share that this newsletter has been split into two parts!

Today, we can't wait to tell you about the members of PEAC's adoptive flock who have found new homes! Next week, we'll have more updates and news to share in an additional report. 

They're Adopted! 

PEAC paused adoptions in March and April to determine a new protocol for our process moving forward and to ensure we were meeting all city, county, and state requirements for responsible behavior and social distancing during this pandemic. We have moved our classes to a virtual format, and are spending more time on the phone and through individual video conferences and FaceTime to get to know each other. We complete a virtual home visit by video, and then a quick walkthrough (with personal protective gear for our volunteers,) of the home later. Parrot meet and greets, for now, are in outdoor aviaries or covered porches. Participants are asked about whether they are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 (or any illness.) Volunteers use hand sanitizer and have other sanitizing options available to use before entering homes and vehicles. PEAC will continue to monitor and follow local requirements during this fluid situation. Now on to the announcements! 

Babie Loo, a male African Grey who came to PEAC earlier this year, was adopted! Babie Loo had shown off a large vocabulary while in PEAC's care, but especially touched his foster mom's heart when he said "Bye Bye Sweetheart" as she left him with his new family. During their visits, Babie Loo and his new family have done so well that it was a good match from the start. Since settling in his home, Babie Loo has enjoyed his new large play gym, and cage and his family have been enjoying Babie Loo's companionship and surprising vocabulary. We're sure they have lots of new adventures planned and wish them the best!  

Our beautiful little Winnie found a home! Winnie's curious and sweet nature is appreciated by her new family, who were so happy to have found her. Winnie loves spending time listening to music (and dancing!) with the family, staying busy with foraging toys, and playing the occasional prank like climbing to the top of her companion's head (something they are working on discouraging.) Congratulations to Winnie and her loving family!  

Tiki, our charming female, Cinnamon mutation, Green-cheeked Conure found her forever family, and has a new career "modeling" for the family's talented artist! She loves watching tv, getting head scritches, and teaching everyone that she is in charge! (Not really, but sometimes she thinks she is, haha!) Tiki is full of love and enjoys just being part of the family... and she found the right family to love her back! We are so happy about this match. Congratulations! Woo woo!!  

We are also so (so!) excited to let you know that Skye was our first adoption of 2020, and he found an amazing "dad" for his new adventures! Skye is a very active, grey mutation, Indian Ringneck parrot who had been with PEAC for two years. Skye must have been waiting for just the right person to come along so he could say "gimme a kiss!" Skye and his new dad, Nic, are fantastic together, and he took the time to make his home the perfect "landing spot" for Skye. Skye is returning the favor by "helping" Nic with his homework, as all smart parrots love to do! Our best wishes for a long, happy life together! 

Pierre, a Golden Conure who came to PEAC last year, was adopted! Within a week of being placed into his foster family's home, and before we could introduce him to the world, his foster family contacted our adoption team and said they had fallen in love and wanted to adopt Pierre. We couldn't have been happier since he has found the most wonderful family to appreciate all the love he had to give and his "clown-like" antics. We get the best warm fuzzy feeling knowing that Pierre will have a great life with his (now permanent) family who loves him dearly. 

We also have one more "foster failure" to cheer on - Amos! Amos is a female African Grey, who was with PEAC for about two years. She is a little shy and enjoys a regular, calm routine with time outdoors in her aviary. Amos came to PEAC with some feather-destructive behavior but has significantly improved in her foster home. Her foster family recently admitted that they did not want to let her go and applied to adopt her. She fits in so well with their other African Greys and has connected with all the family members. She now eats a healthy diet, gets regular exercise, and actively forages. Playing with her endless supply of toys is one of her favorite activities, as is getting head scritches while on her mom's chair. We are so happy that Amos found the right family to love her.

Congratulations to them all! 

PEAC is Zooming Along! 

PEAC classes and volunteer meetings have gone "virtual" to accommodate our state's requirement to stay socially distant. Classes are being held the last Sunday of every month via a "Zoom" (a video call,) and if you are a member, you can attend for free - just email us directly (peacadoptions@gmail.com) for a secret code word to use during online registration. Don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions!

A Surprising Follow Up with Munchkin! 

Munchkin is a Double Yellow-headed Amazon who came to PEAC from the San Diego Humane Society two years ago. His skull was malformed and undersized, resulting in a lower bill that reached up and over his upper mandible. His right eye was also affected, reducing his sight. When he came to us, he was in pretty rough condition, but Munchkin showed us that he enjoyed human companionship and wanted a family. That is when Melanie saw him on our Instagram page, fell in love, and adopted him!  

You followed and supported Munchkin from the beginning, and now we have more to share about "what happens after" - and it's pretty cute! SO cute that "The Dodo" featured their story online and their video has been viewed over 6 million times! Breaking news - Melanie and Munchkin have been asked by a major talk show to do a virtual interview! We'll let you know what happens!

We're sharing a link to take you straight to The Dodo's adorable video titled "Woman Flies Across Country to Adopt a Bird She's Never Met." In case our link doesn't work, you can search TheDodo .com for that title to find and watch. And know that Munchkin found his happy ending because of YOUR support!! That's because... 

When We Work Together, Great Things Happen!

In the 1950s, a sociologist named Charles Fritz jump-started the academic study of disaster with a single, vivid insight: People in crisis help each other. First, we help the people nearest, then we help the ones a little farther out, and then farther out again. 

I genuinely want to take a moment to honor and thank PEAC's volunteers who have been AMAZING during this unprecedented time. Many stepped up their support for PEAC while keeping full-time jobs in often difficult circumstances and with new challenges. Thank you, volunteers, for your continued dedication and positive spirits!  

Additionally, I want to thank our donors for your TREMENDOUS support! You've been busy creating fundraising campaigns for PEAC, donating parrot food, and sanitizing supplies! You've checked that our veterinary bills were paid, gifted our parrots with toys, and asked your friends and family to donate. 

Thank you, THANK YOU for never ceasing your support and helping PEAC continue our important work!  

When we work together and believe enough in a good cause, good things can happen. We are optimistic for a bright 2020 filled with more love, support, successful adoptions, and an educated companion parrot community. 

With gratitude,

Kelly Flynn, President, Parrot Education and Adoption Center

Links:

• CLICK HERE - MUNCHKIN AND MELANIE'S VIDEO ON THE DODO !

Don't Let the Year End Without Reading This: About the Incredible Impact YOU'VE Made!

The end of the year is a time to look back and reflect, and a time to look forward to our future with hope. And because of that, we wanted to talk about two of our parrots: Munchkin, who was adopted from PEAC in 2018, and Larry, who is with us now. Both were relinquished to the San Diego Humane Society and had almost no hope of being adopted because of their poor condition. Both were rather shy at first, and each has their unique challenges. But most importantly: both have found brighter futures because of YOU and your support. 

Where are they now?! Munchkin & Melanie

In March of 2018, a Double yellow-headed Amazon, "found as a stray," was left with San Diego Humane. He had a funny looking face and beak, a problem with his right eye and possibly his leg, his feathers were a mess or missing, and he had only stiff shafts for a tail. Volunteer April exited him and with one look christened him "Munchkin" (the perfect name!) It was clear he needed help and had little hope of finding a home otherwise.

Avian veterinarian Dr. Cecil noted he had an under-developed upper bill & skull, which resulted in his (regular sized) lower bill growing up and over the top portion. His right eye was also malformed, and he had no external nares. Our vet deduced that these deformities occurred while Munchkin was still in the egg, and not as a result of injuries. A little arthritis was also not abnormal for a parrot who was in poor condition and with a vitamin A deficiency.

Munchkin ate like a champ (that bill is almost no problem for him at all!) and although not overly friendly with his foster mom Carrie, he cooperated with step-ups and made new foster-bird friends (Skye, our grey Indian Ringneck, who kept him company or would go on exploratory adventures with him when out of the cage.) By the end of July 2018, Munchkin was almost unrecognizable with gorgeous new plumage and full tail! Munchkin had begun to say "Hi Papa" and other cute vocalizations, so we knew he must have had a doting family at some point.

It was about this time that a young woman from the east coast saw Munchkin on Instagram and fell in love (hard!) Melanie was insistent that she wanted to fly out to California or do whatever was needed to adopt him. Volunteer Kelly spoke to her on the phone and was impressed by her bird knowledge and sensibility. Volunteer Barbara arranged for a qualified friend to do a home visit, and she approved of Melanie's home and the excellent care she provided for her current birds. The adoption committee reviewed all communications, and considering that no local inquiries had come in for Munchkin (who we all felt would have a hard time finding a home with his challenges,) they were open to the idea of an out of state adoption.

Melanie agreed that she was willing to fly to California and back without Munchkin if, at any time, the committee, fosters or volunteers felt the match wasn't right. She was willing to risk us pulling the plug and going home empty-handed because she wanted Munchkin to be happy and in the right home as well. … but was this going to happen?! How would Munchkin react?!

We encouraged Melanie and Munchkin to talk and video chat over the phone as much as possible before the visit. (We wanted him to know her voice.) Munchkin practiced traveling in the crate he would use on the plane that would fit under the cabin seats and received his veterinarian certificate for travel. Everything was set, including a scheduled veterinary visit with Melanie's avian vet shortly after they returned home and a new cage set up and waiting for him.

As soon as Melanie and her mom arrived, they rushed over to meet Munchkin at his foster home. They were encouraged just to talk to him… to "woo him" and help him know her voice, and Munchkin sat on the top of his cage, looking intrigued and perhaps a little confused. The next morning they returned to his foster home, and Melanie sat on the couch. Munchkin was placed on the back of the sofa, and without much hesitation, he walked over to her shoulder, climbed up, and began to preen her cheek. Everyone was in shock - he had *never* shown such affection or trust to anyone else while in our care. Not even close. Melanie giggled, and Munchkin acted like this was the most natural thing to do. He made his choice known by letting Melanie scratch his head while everyone else scrambled for either their phones to videotape this heart-melting moment or get some kleenex.

Melanie and her mom completed our classes, and we enjoyed many hours of conversation about parrot caregiving and Munchkin's special needs. Any hesitation we had about this adoption had vanished by now, and they were cleared for go! As a surprise, they upgraded their return flight to first-class - yes, Munchkin was going to fly in the first-class cabin with style! Munchkin did very well on his trip, even with no nares and a TSA security scan (done in a separate private room,) and arrived safely home.

But the fairytale doesn't end yet… over a year later, Munchkin has become an Instagram star! We frequently watch all of their cute antics together, such as when Munchkin calls to her, preens her, wants all her attention, and follows her everywhere. He enjoys talking to the other parrots in his home, but Melanie is the center of Munchin's universe, and it's the cutest thing ever. He loves her so very much, and she loves him right back. You can find them both on "@can_of_nutella" on Instagram.

Melanie recently shared, "Munchkin is the most handsome man in the world. I'm literally obsessed with the Munch. I cannot believe how lucky I am to have him and forever everyday grateful for PEAC for allowing me to spoil him and going the extra 2,307 miles, to be exact, to bring us together." 

This #AdoptionSuccess is directly because of YOU - our members and donors! Thank you for making this incredible love-match possible.

The BIG Larry Update - What's happening right NOW (and Larry's bright future!)

About six weeks ago, we received a request to exit a 51-year-old, Yellow-naped Amazon named "Larry" from San Diego Humane Society. When we arrived, Larry had already received care from their vets who prescribed antibiotics, removed extensive "crust" from his eyes, and were concerned about "mucus" in his mouth. But everyone's biggest concern was his labored breathing and depressed mood. Larry had been on a "junk food diet," and he lacked developed muscle around his keel, not to mention the poor condition of his feathers. He did *not* feel well and ignored volunteer Kelly's voice. But the second that his future foster mom, Val, started to tell Larry how beautiful he was, he perked right up, flashed his eyes, tail and opened his mouth as if trying to respond back. Then he drooped back down, exhausted. Plans were made, cages were moved, and we all hoped Larry could hang in there a couple more days while we arranged his exit from SDHS.

Volunteer April helped set up Larry's new home and helped move him out with Val. Their first stop was for another veterinary exam with avian specialist Dr. Loudis. Immediately there was a serious concern. Larry had a very large granuloma at the back of his mouth, which was obstructing his ability to breath and swallow. He was ordered to come back in for immediate surgery. (You can see this mass in one of the photos below, with a red arrow pointing at it.)

Larry had a successful surgery and immediately perked up and dove into his warm, soft vitamin-A rich foods, literally shoveling it in. He was prescribed medications to fight fungal and bacterial infections and he took all of them with no fuss. A subsequent exam and droop in behavior several weeks later showed there were additional smaller granulomas deeper in his throat, and another successful surgery was performed to remove them. The biopsies revealed extensive yeast and bacteria infections, but no visible cancer!

Gratefully, a long-time member has stepped up to provide for all of Larry's medical care, and we wish to thank them profusely for this compassionate gift. He is doing so well now and loves playing "footsie" with his mom, grabbing and holding her finger through the cage with his foot. Larry will also show off by shredding the newspaper in his cage but is still learning what "toys" are. He likes to climb up on top when he's allowed out too and has begun vocalizing to the other parrots in the home. 2020 is going to be Larry's year, and we can't wait to see what he surprises us with next!

Everything accomplished this year was because of your kindness and continued dedication to supporting our parrots. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

It bears repeating: 

“Giving is not just about making a donation. It’s about making a difference.” (Kathy Calvin.)

And what a difference you have made! Thank you! 

Finally, we wish to thank volunteer April Adcock for sharing her photos and videos with us and documenting Munchkin's and Larry's stories. You can watch them in entirety on her YouTube channel "Parrot Playhouse." 

With gratitude and wishes for a bright and happy New Year,

Kelly Flynn, President
Parrot Education and Adoption Center