Parrot rescuers devote lives to help birds
OAKLAND TWP — Griffin, a Hahn's macaw, has plucked himself naked.
The once green and blue parrot has exposed his white skin because of the stress of his owners' divorce, said Robin Ashcraft, co-owner of Parrot Enhancement and Adoption, which opened on Center Drive in April.
Ashcraft operates the parrot rescue program with her sister-inlaw, Cindy Ashcraft.
The reasons parrots — any birds that have two toes to the front of the foot and two toes to the back — are surrendered to Robin are varied. When Griffin's former owners divorced, each moved to an apartment where pets weren't possible or weren't permitted.
Two cockatiels were a housewarming gift to a couple who didn't like birds. And a macaw's elderly owner was no longer able to provide care.
Perhaps the saddest story is of Ucella, a quiet little lovebird who protects her cage by nipping at any fingers that come near. Ucella's owner was killed in a car crash, so the owner's father took the bird. For eight months, he tried to provide care before concluding he couldn't.
<table width="300" height="275" border="0" align="right" valign="top" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><embed src="/assets/mov/BE6262917.MOV " width="320" height="250" autostart="true" loop="false" ></embed></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.apple.com/quicktime/" target="_blank"><span class="style11">Requires Quicktime Media Player </a><br><font size="1" face="Tahoma, Times New Roman">Video by Brandon Gerthoffer</font></span><td></tr></table>Other birds become orphans because of a lack of owner education, Cindy said.Parrots, especially bigger ones like cockatiels and macaws, go through puberty and become as testy as teenage children, she said. Even when owners learn that the change in the bird's behavior is "just a stage," owners don't want to wait it out, Cindy said.The demand in the county for a parrot rescue center is strong, said Robin, who spent five years fostering birds for a Pittsburgh rescue before recognizing a need closer to home."We've been turning them down because there's no room."One parrot owner in Ohio begged her on the phone to take her bird because there wasn't anywhere local to surrender the bird to, Robin said.The women incorporated Parrot Enhancement and Adoption, not to make money, but rather to help the birds, Robin said.Two months ago, Robin and her husband finished an addition to their Oakland Township home to house the birds. Right now, she has the five birds she's adopted and 10 foster parrots in her home.Robin spends about three hours a day in the aviary room feeding, changing water, cleaning cages and giving attention to the birds. Then she goes to another room to make a special visit with an African gray that can't get along with the other parrots.She estimates spending about $50 per month on food, toys and supplies for each bird.She also has started a network of foster parents including board member Paul Powell of Evans City. Powell has four parakeets in his home now. Because he has elementary-aged children, he wants only the smaller birds.Big birds, like macaws, "could take a child's finger off," he said.The medium-sized birds go to the home of Cindy in Butler."I've loved birds since I was 18," said Robin, who owns two birds and is fostering another two.Mostly, adoptive owners come to Robin through word-of-mouth. Pittsburgh Parrot Rescue, several pet stores, and other parrot owners know about Robin's efforts and refer bird seekers to her.
Parrots are like children, Powell said. Each has a personality and needs to be entertained, so knowing a parrot's characteristics makes it easier to match it to new owners — and parents.Robin screens the owners on a phone call and again in person before she adopts a bird. She also does a home inspection and spends time educating owners about parrot care.For example, new owners might think bird seed is all a parrot needs to eat. Not true, she said."Seed is like us sitting down and eating a bag of potato chips. It's very fatty," Robin said.Holly Ann, a macaw, likes spaghetti and meatballs. Other birds like buffalo wings."You'd be surprised what they eat," Robin said.Other common home conditions threaten a parrot's health, such as fireplaces, drafty windows, ceiling fans and cooking with Teflon.Robin charges between $10 and $300 to adopt a bird. But that hardly covers the cost of maintaining the bird while it's being fostered."We're not making money. We're in the hole. But, that's OK,"Robin said.She also has connections with a bird supply store in Oakmont and a veterinarian who provide discounts to new owners.A bird should not be an impulse buy, Cindy said. The smallest birds will live 15 years, and the large ones can live past 80 years old.Because of the responsibility that comes with being bird owners, the Ashcrafts said they are willing to educate people about parrots even if they aren't getting the bird from them.In the coming weeks, the Ashcrafts plan to have a Web site online at www.butlerparrots.org. But Robin said she doesn't want to expand the business too much more. She said she wants to be sure that she'll always get a chance to know the parrot before giving it away.
To ensure long-term success, those interested in adopting a parrot should follow these steps:• Research what kind of parrot is right for you• Call the rescue program and do a phone interview• Fill out an application• Meet the bird• Schedule a house inspection and educational session• Pick up the parrotFor more information, contact Robin Ashcraft at 724-285-2644 or Cindy Ashcraft at 412-772-8515.
