RALPH, ALBERT & SYDNEY
New Life Parrot Rescue
and Helpline Service

Given Ralph's obvious affection for Parrots, I was more than happy to include this article sent to me by Julie Hamilton. Julie is hoping to make contact with Ralph about the Charity and her work. If you would like to find out more about the work of the New Life Parrot Rescue and Helpline Service, go and check out the web site or email Julie. You'll also find the contact details and postal address at the end of the article.
Andy.

New Life Parrot Rescue & Helpline Service

“Parrot rescue?  What’s that,” said the lady in complete naivety.  “You mean to say many of them suffer abuse,” she questioned with disbelief.  Ten years ago, I also would have asked the same questions.  “I’m afraid so,” I answered.

New Life Parrot Rescue & Helpline Service became a registered charity in June 1996.  My initial intention was to set-up an advisory helpline, but it wasn’t long before unwanted, neglected, and abused parrots came to my attention.  I had to do something ….. in for a penny, in for a pound! Thus, I embarked on a parrot rescue and rehoming service, from which evolved a fully-fledged charity.

Oh boy, I was so naïve to the many problems these unfortunate birds encounter.  Sadly, there is an epidemic of unwanted and abused birds in the US.  We are now experiencing this in the UK.  Parrots are fast becoming popular pets, being second in line to the number one popular cat according to a US pet popularity survey. However, these exotic creatures are light years away from being in line with the “pet” concept.  After all, they are only a few generations removed from their wild ancestors.

We are no different from the thousand of animal rescue charities; we are at the bottom end of the pet industry picking up the pieces.  There is one slight difference, parrots are harder to rehome than the adorable dogs and cats due to their specialised care and understanding, which can be very much equated to living with a permanent toddler who never grows up!  Furthermore, human toddlers do not chew the furniture, have appalling table manners that re-designs the wallpaper, screech some type of alien opera (Well, I suppose there are those who are exceptions to the rule!), have sexual hormonal, aggressive moods and will bite the hand that feeds them.  They also have a habit of leaving their calling card in a place where the sole of your slipper finds it first!

Abuse comes in many forms.  For example: Fred, a Blue & Gold Macaw, was leg-chained to a stand for 19 years.  He spent the last 9 years on the same stand with a 12-inch perch and leg-chain shut in a bathroom without any toys or anything to do. His owner visited him each morning with food & water and left him alone until the next day. Because of his raucous voice, his ‘owner’ would hit him with a rolled up newspaper. Fred resorted to feather plucking. After arriving at NLPR, we found that Fred had a recurring eye infection, further investigations revealed that he is partially blind in one eye; a beautiful bird maimed for life through constantly hit with a newspaper.  He also had calcium deficiency, overall malnutrition, and muscle atrophy; he would climb cage-wire synonymous with a fragile old lady trying to get out of her chair.

Seven years on, Fred is healthy and strong with a beautiful spirit, restored of pride and dignity, though the essence of his spirit lives high above green canopies.

Our charity now correlates with the many bona fide rescue organisations in the US, and have joined the Avian Welfare Coalition RoundTable.  The purpose is to unite principled rescue sanctuaries so there is strength in numbers – fight the good fight and endeavour to put many wrongs to right.  The AWCRT also serves to educate both animal welfare groups and individuals interested in the concerns of avian welfare, and to act as a network for the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of displaced birds.

 Birds and animals are victims of human indifference.  This is the underlying cause for the massive problems rescue organisations encounter.  Regrettably, breeders continue to supply the open pet market.  This has caused a vicious circle.  Education is vitally important but it has its limits; we must address and redress the root of the problem in order to create the equilibrium. 

We rely on donations, sponsorship and fund-raising projects to continue our work of helping those parrots that are victims of human circumstances, indifference or ignorance.  Please visit our web site. 

Julie Hamilton
Director.
New Life Parrot Rescue & Helpline Service
Registered Charity Number: 1056409
E-mail: admin@nlpr.demon.co.uk
Web site: www.nlpr.co.uk  
Office: PO Box 84, St. Neots, HUNTINGDON, Cambs PE19 2LB.