| We are a GuideStar(c) certified charity. Click the image above to learn more. Please visit our T-Shirt and accessories store. We have clocks, coffee mugs, calendars, tote bags, gym bags, cooking aprons, beer steins and much more. All of the "profit" from our store goes to help needy parrots and cockatoos. |
We are looking for A FEW GOOD EGGS to help with parrots and cockatoos!
An excerpt from one of our factually-based stories: I received a rogue transmission on the Internet. Even though I had trouble believing what it said, I had to discover if it was true. So I travelled to a distant place and there I found the alien, just as promised. I transported the alien to my home and locked it behind secure bars. I fed it what I had been told it would eat and occasionally let it out under strict supervision. It wasn’t until nearly a year later that I discovered the strange story of the alien race.
They come from a land with no seasons and days only as long as nights. They live on a small outcropping in a sea of heat and humidity. The sky is streaked with electrical fire all year long. Yet, the lightning does not cause the only thunder—the voices of the aliens thunder with the dawn and the sunset. Like ancient Pagan Gods they greet the coming and ending of the day. After nightfall the aliens turn into statues or at least the semblance of them. It would be a rare human eye indeed that could discern the aliens from the twisted monoliths reaching like pillars to the sky upon which they rest...
|
We are also looking for someone to donate property where we can house our permanent facility. We can also use donations of drivable vehicles, bequests and estates. Your donations can help parrots and cockatoos live meaningful lives. Let your giving take wing... ARE YOU THAT PERSON OR BUSINESS? |
Do you live in North San Diego County? Are you interested in learning about parrots? Are you considering a parrot or cockatoo as a companion? Do you have a bird with issues such as screaming or biting? Do you want to learn more about these special animals? We would love to have you view our Basic Bird Care videos! You can attend at any time and register to take the test! Parrots are much more than pretty animals that talk or dance. They are as intelligent as chimpanzees and challenging to live with. Still wild animals, we often find these magnificent creatures locked in back rooms because they scream or bite and their human companion has almost nowhere to go for help.
We have much to share about parrot training, living with parrots, nutrition, foraging, toys, behavior issues such as screaming or biting, and creating a friendly environment. |
| Do you want to experience life with a parrot? Have you ever wanted to experience a parrot or cockatoo up close? Would you enjoy helping someone who has not had the advantages that you have? Do you have at least one hour of time to spend studying and at least six hours at home a day? Older couples often feel they are too old to care for a bird that could live up to 100 years (some species). Fostering is perfect for you. You get to share your home with a parrot and experience something new. Your years of experience and patience are wonderful tools for working with them. If accepted into the fostering program you could help rehabilitate a parrot or cockatoo in your own home. Once the bird is happy then a permanent home can be found for it. Fostering generally lasts from 3 to 6 months. You do need to make sacrifices for the safety of the bird but the rewards can be beyond your wildest dreams. In time, we expect to have a building where we can house up to 200 birds and rehabilitate them there. Fostering volunteers would be trained to work in that sanctuary, too. Do you want to find out more? Because of the great need in our county to help unwanted birds we are dedicating our efforts to help them. Won't you join us? We will need many volunteers and also appreciate your tax-deductable donations. The cost of an examination at the vet is over $300. Organic food must be cooked morning and night because seed only diets are unhealthy for them; fresh fruits and vegetables must be offered daily. Caretakers must be trained because these lovely animals have the intelligence of chimpanzees and require special knowledge to care for. We are looking for volunteers locally to foster birds in their homes. Of course we would love experienced people. Not experienced? If accepted into our program we can provide training at no cost to you! For more information contact Father Don at fatherdon@chloesanctuary.org. You can also read the section on the right entitled "Saving Precious Lives." It will give you and idea of our dream. Father Don D. Scott is a graduate of Dr. Friedman's LLA, The Fundamentals of Behavior, a certified aviculturalist and the founding director of the sanctuary. |
| Please read our short stories that tell the truth about our winged friends. |
| Become an honorary cockatiel, african grey, cockatoo or macaw! Join our group of monthly supporters starting at just $5 tax deductable per month.
|
Education is the key to understanding these wonderful creatures. Take a look at our recommended books by clicking HERE.
Help parrots like this one! The Chloe Sanctuary for Parrots and Cockatoos is a parrot and cockatoo rescue whose main purpose is to protect the quality of life for parrots. Because of domestic breeding that began in 1993 when the importation of exotic birds was banned the number of unwanted parrots and cockatoos has skyrocketed. Once just a rarity, now many birds are sold to those who have no idea just what a difficult job caring for a parrot truly is.
They seem to the average onlooker just a different kind of pretty pet that somehow miraculously can imitate our language. Yet, they are highly sensitive and intelligent animals and the world they are prepared to live in is vastly different from ours.
As an example is the Umbrella Cockatoo. One of our biggest problems with umbrellas in captivity is the heritage that lives in them; a heritage that cannot be bred away. They are built to run around like a pack of destructive teenagers in a world of trees that cover the sky. In their homeland they greet the sunrise from the tops of the rainforest and descend with thunderous voices to forage alongside one another, in flocks of hundreds. What runs through their veins we can never understand; yet we must try. On the other side of the world from here live a free alien society of hearts with wings. They no know seasons, no cold at night, and no air without water. Their lives are closer to those lived by fish than those lived by us. To them, our lonely world must seem like the dark side of the moon.
Because they are beautiful and exotic they seem just the right special pet for those who want a change from the regular fare. Yet, prospective buyers do not know vital facts about their care and needs. Rarely does a buyer understand that some parrots and cockatoos live for up to 80 years or that they mate for life, whether to another bird or to a human being.
The umbrella cockatoo, for example, is often described as loveable and cuddly. It has been said that they would like nothing more than to be "skin grafted to their owners chest." No human truly understands the commitment that these birds make to us and what they what they expect in return. From experience I can tell you it is more than most of us can provide. Left in isolation in a small cage for hours at a time they will eventually break down and begin to pull their feathers out, or screetch loudly for hours at a time. The plucking can lead to mutilation and death. Plucking is a product of captivity. Their call is so loud that it can lead to hearing impairment.
“Humans have these really big brains, but guess what, parrots have really big brains too. In fact, if you overlay a graph of brain size to body mass for parrots on top of one for non-human primates, they sit in a perfect line,” says Dr. Andrew Iwaniuk, an NSERC-sponsored postdoctoral reseacher in the psychology department at the University of Alberta. -- quoted from The National Science and Research Council of Canada Journal.
“I'm hoping that at some point people will understand the implications this may have for people keeping parrots at home,” says Dr. Iwaniuk. “In a lot of areas of Canada no one's allowed to have primates as pets. But anyone can go off the street and buy a Macaw that ends up being psychotic after two years because it’s stuck in a cage the size of a refrigerator.” |
The concerns of Dr.Iwaniuk have been echoed in the communities of behaviorists, zoologists and veterinarians. It is in fact the consensus.
For one reason or another most human caretakers give them up. The causes are many and varied: divorce, allergic reactions, moving, illness, death, and so on. High maintenance takes on a new meaning in caring for these creatures and that takes its toll. With sanctuaries and rescues filled to overflowing many birds are now euthanized because no homes can be found for them.
The site below (www.mytoos.com) shows the worst horrors that can happen to our beloved creatures. There is much truth here but it is painful to read. If you are considering a cockatoo as a companion please read this website. If, and only if, you can deal with everything they need to be happy, then find one who needs help at a rescue and do so. It is difficult but rewarding work. There are many rescues and sanctuaries where you can re-home a baby that needs your love. One sanctuary told us that they refuse 5 birds a day average. Can you find it in your heart to study and learn about these creatures and give them a home? | | 
 Passwords required for links above
Dan and Deb, dear friends of Chloe, have had her cage that was severely damaged by the fire powder coated. Once again Chloe has the cage that she chose to live in. Her happiness is evident in the picture above where she is watching the sunrise.
The day that I realized she hated the cage from her former life was a breakthrough moment for me. From that day onward I realized the intelligence and suffering of these magnificent birds. Losing that cage hurt our dear Chloe. Cal-Cage is out of business.
Seeing Chloe in her dream home is an incredible joy for me. For her it is much more than that. It is coming home.
This is LULU. This poor baby had to have one of its wings amputated. This causes all sorts of problems and she will need special care. One issue Lulu has is poor balance and another issue is no way to land... Please donate today. |
Another Macaw has been relinquished to us. As you can tell from the baseball-sized crop, Pumpkin is starving for more than affection. Our foster parent will be carefully feeding Pumpkin to avoid possible complications from overfeeding. The cage given to us had cobwebs and was rusted through in spots--it was supposedly "new and expensive." Was this the cage she was living in? We will probably never know. We do know that it is not adequate for her. She will need a new cage. Her first exam will be in a hurry! UPDATE: We are rushing him to the vet. His crop is not emptying! This is called slow crop and is usually seen in baby birds not adults. There's no time to waste! [10:09 am 6-4-2010] UPDATE: His crop is still slow. We are working with our vet to try and determine the cause of this problem. Your donations are appreciated, this is a difficult issue to diagnose. |
|
Tuesday March 23, 2010, at 6:15 pm, TCS had a fire.
http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/escondido/article_7f296c67-8adb-55bf-b8c2-750b2fa4e181.html
Thanks to Father Don's quick thinking, great care, and devotion to his flock all the birds have been saved. Father Don's apartment, the home of Chloe Sanctuary, was engulfed in flames. At this time TCS would like to give our heartfelt thanks to:
Melissa for immediately bringing the cages, food, dishes, and support to see Father Don and the entire flock through this difficult time of uncertainty.
Carina for calming the birds and tireless efforts to gather salvageable items. Her fast action and caring heart did not go unnoticed.
Susan for rallying the troops so quickly and keeping everyone informed of the facts and how they can help. To the many people who gave us food, furniture, money and their time to help us through this! Your names might not be listed here but you are appreciated and not forgotten. Chloe sends wing hugs. THANK YOU ALL. |
In Loving Memory of Sunny 3/27/10
I'm Still Here
I was near you, by your bed last night; I came to have a peek.
I could see that you were crying, you found it hard to sleep.
I chattered to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you. I'm well. I'm fine. I'm here."
I was close to you at breakfast. I watched you pour the tea.
You were thinking of the many times your hands reached out to me.
I was with you at my grave today. You tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you, that I am not lying there.
I flew with you back towards the house. As you fumbled for your key,
I gently touched you with a feather, I smiled and said, "It's me."
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know that I was perching there.
It's possible for me to be so near you everyday
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly, and then smiled. I think you knew
In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over - I smile and watch you yawning
And say, "Good night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll fly across to greet you and we'll enter side by side.
I have many things to show you. There is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out... then come home to be with me.
- Author Unknown -
|
Simone, our severely barbered and feather plucked umbrella cockattoo. She and her flock partner, Cosmo, are doing well. The medical screening cleared them of fatty liver disease and other possible health issues. They both seem to have stopped plucking at the moment. Time will tell. Feather destructive disease can be fatal as it can lead to self mutilation and dh from infection. It looks as if they are well on their way to happy lives! Thank all of you who donated. The vet bill was $668 dollars and we almost made that up in donations. |
The Unknown Sorrow My chest is not feather bare
I do not scream or bite
Do you see my blank stare?
Do you see me ready for flight? Sometimes the pain is within
Not worn in plain sight
The hurt I feel is akin
To the most desperate plight Is there any home for me
Or shall I remain as I am
A poor soul no one can see
My heart bursting like a broken dam.
Regina, a.k.a Mina, Chloe Sanctuary volunteer and lifetime supporter shown with Haley Deja' Too (her companion LSC2) and Chloe We thank you Mina, for your unending, heartfelt support. "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has" -- Margaret Meade
PDD virus discovered. DNA test on the way! Way to go UCSF! July 28, 2008. Field testing of the new DNA is currently in progress.
See our video about "The Rainbow Bridge for Parrots" 
Saving Precious Lives The Chloe Sanctuary for Parrots and Cockatoos is an organization formed to provide a place where parrots and cockatoos will be housed during their rehabilitation and then placed in qualified homes to live out their lives. We offer a dynamic, scientificially-based environment where parrots and cockatoos can be healed emotionally and physically, volunteers and caretakers can be trained and educated, and the public made aware of the needs of these exceptional creatures. We incorporate on-site hands-on education and offsite lectures as well.
Our long term goal is to provide a facility that will house up to 100 parrots and cockatoos, an education center and an Internet communications hub. There will be an outside facility with large cages for the birds, a quarantine area for incoming birds to protect from contagion, and birds will be housed in the main building at night. A misting system will be used for hot days to protect the birds from the heat and portable heaters will be used on cold nights.
Our facility will also house an extensive pscitticine library that contains important reference works on bird behavior, and physiology. Included will be "Pscitticine Birds," the primary veterinary manual, "The Parrot Companion Handbook" and "The Manual of Parrot Behavior" as well as books on Applied Behavioral Analysis and nutrition. We will also provide a resource library for volunteers who are interested in furthering their knowledge. Our Online Parrot Shop will sell affordable, high-quality handmade toys, audio and DVD bird comforters and training guides, and other unique items.
We will offer special caretaker-led workshops on a weekly basis, including "The Essentials of Caring for Wild Birds in Captivity" and "Dealing with a Problem Bird."
The Chloe Sanctuary for Parrots and Cockatoos is in North San Diego County. Our location in Fallbrook houses some of our rescues but we still rely heavily on foster parents. We are here to help those in need, to provide a permanent home or placement for as many abandoned birds as possible. We are here for their welfare and to educate the public.
"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat." -- Mother Teresa. |
| I have been asked, "Dogs and cats are suffering, what's so special about birds?" Thank you Christine for asking that question again. I woke up one morning with the answer to that question as a poem: |
| IF DOGS WERE PARROTS
By Father Don Scott
If dogs were parrots
They would be kidnapped from their mothers at birth
They would never know mommy’s or daddy’s love
Strangers would feed them with tubes for months
Because they could not eat on their own
If dogs were parrots
They would be bred for big profits
And because weaning takes many months
They would be sold far too early
To save on production costs
If dogs were parrots
They would cut their Achilles' tendons
So they could never dart outdoors to freedom
They would be fed a diet of cat food
Because their nutritional needs were unknown
If dogs were parrots
They would be kept in small cages
To keep them from damaging the furniture
They would be expected to do tricks for food
Or remained caged and alone
If dogs were parrots
They would be required to speak our language
Or be unloved and abandoned
They could never bark or whimper
Or be locked far from human ears
If dogs were parrots
They would strip out their own fur with their teeth
Crying out for love and affection
They would rip open their own skin
Because self-inflicted pain is their last resort
If dogs were parrots
Having never run loose on the ground
They would not know the freedom of mother earth
Man’s best friend would be
Mostly treated as if he were his enemy
But dogs are not parrots
They could never fly in the deep blue sky
They could never call to hundreds of kin in the trees
They cannot feel their ancestral past
As the parrot does--its heart caged until the last. |
Important organizations supporting our avian friends: 
A 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation PO BOX 462901 Escondido, CA, 92046-2901 | |