For immediate release
Coombs parrot refuge
urgently needs public’s help
June 14, 2016 - British Columbia: Work has begun to rescue, adopt out and provide care for more
than 600 parrots at the World Parrot Refuge in Coombs in the wake of the death
of refuge founder Wendy Huntbatch, but those stepping up to address the
critical problem urgently need the public’s support.
The refuge was founded by Huntbatch as a place to shelter
pet parrots and former breeding stock that had been abandoned or given up by
their owners. Huntbatch noted frequently over the years that she was strongly
opposed to the importation of parrots into Canada, but felt a responsibility
for the long-living birds that so frequently outlive their owners’ interest in
them.
The society that was under the leadership of Huntbatch has
struggled to manage the Coombs refuge
since her death in February. As a result,
many of the birds living there have seen a decline in their health and quality
of life, despite the best efforts of a dedicated and caring staff. Funding has
dried up and a small amount of backup savings has now been used up. 
The worst of
the problems have been addressed now that Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary, a
Vancouver-based parrot rescue group, stepped up to help. But the need continues
for food, cages and other badly needed equipment – a system to purify
contaminated well water, for instance
Steps have been taken to bring a major rat infestation under
control, and work is underway to repair infrastructure and correct deficiencies
identified in a recent BC SPCA report. The next step will be to attempt to reunite
birds with past human families, and then to place others with suitable adoptive
families. A few that are members of highly endangered species of parrots will
hopefully be placed in a captive management program that will preserve genetic
diversity.
“We’re doing what we can to address the most pressing
problems, but many of the larger birds at the refuge have anxiety and
self-mutilation issues that will make it hard to find homes for them,” says
John Creviston, the interim manager now working with the Greyhaven board of
directors to find a solution.
“Many of these highly intelligent animals could face euthanasia if the right supports can’t be found.”
How can you help? We need parrot and smaller bird cages,
food such as parrot pellets, seed and nuts, and fruit and vegetables. We also
need help with water purification, and we need welding gauntlets, work gloves,
nets, and most importantly, cash to aide in the immediate crisis. Greyhaven has
been exhausting its own reserves in order to cover immediate costs such as
staffing but cannot do this much longer. These hard-earned funds were partly
assembled in an effort to secure a facility in the lower mainland to house the
birds already in their care but might also house some of these birds as well as
others in future. We also need former owners that would like to reunite with
their birds to come forward. This situation is urgent! To donate see our
Facebook page: WPR Community Support Central or
contact the interim manager.
For more information:
John
Creviston, refuge interim manager
Greyhaven
Exotic Bird Sanctuary
250-216-4723
Room for One
More
This is
where you come in, and you, and you, etc. If each of us could make room for
just one more we’d solve the
problem. Interested? If so, please contact Greyhaven. We will do an assessment
of each applicant
and will ensure that the bird you choose has been cleared by an avian
veterinarian.
Just one
more. You have the power to change a life.
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