It has recently been brought to our attention that several inaccurate and untrue remarks are being made and circulated concerning CARE's recent assistance to an Illinois bird rescue with respect to 29 birds in the home of a DuPage woman. Insofar as these remarks are potentially disparaging and a cause for concern, we are posting the information that follows to provide our readers with an accurate account of what really happened.

On April 2nd, 2005, CARE was contacted by an Illinois bird rescue organization and asked to assist it with an emergency situation in DuPage County, Illinois.

An 18-year old woman from DuPage County, Illinois, had lived in the apartment for approximately six weeks. The woman at that time was reported to have approximately 29 birds in her apartment. We met members of the Illinois rescue organization at the woman's apartment home. These are pictures of the condition in which we found her apartment home to be in upon our arrival (click here for pictures). Representatives from both CARE and the Illinois rescue organization discussed with the woman the fact that the birds were in dire need of food and proper care and housing. The woman then agreed to voluntarily release all 29 birds to CARE at that time, signing 29 separate release forms with respect to each bird (view our release agreement). The woman also provided CARE with a handwritten list of all 29 birds, which listed each bird's name and type (click here for a complete copy of the handwritten list voluntarily provided by the woman to CARE).

Four of the sickest birds were immediately placed into the care of a licensed Illinois foster home and the other 25 birds were sent to CARE's Shelter. CARE performed intake exams on all the birds (see the above linked page for a sample of the exam information and results). Most of the birds were found to be malnourished. In particular, Pookie, an Umbrella Cockatoo with a missing upper mandible, weighed in at only 400 grams upon arrival. However, with proper food and feeding, after six weeks, Pookie's weight was successfully brought up to 453 grams.

Several of the birds were also vet checked. In particular, two of the birds, Cookie, a Citron Cockatoo, and Rio, a Yellow-Naped Amazon, both tested positive for aspergillosis, a potentially fatal fungal disease. Several other birds were treated for upper respiratory and/or mouth infections. Still others were treated for infections that appear to have developed as a consequence of recent injuries they had sustained while apparently flying and roaming freely about the apartment. In particular, there was great concern that the toe of one bird, Pickle, would need to be amputated due to the severe abscess and infection found. However, with antibiotics and aggressive soaking, we were able to salvage Pickle's toe (click for pictures).

Overall, by the end of the first week, many of the birds--especially the larger ones--increased their weight by 10% or more. 
(More information and pictures here)

To Be Continued. . .

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