HELPING THE BIRDS

Your tax deductible gift to CPR will help care for the birds waiting for new homes and help us find adoptive homes.

Click to make a secure credit card donation using Paypal or to print a form for mailing your check. The birds of CPR thank you in advance.

Please support our sponsor, Parrot University. Your purchases at Parrot U enable them to provide housing and care for the wonderful birds of CPR and are a "vote" for adoption versus the sale of birds.

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT PARROT U

There will be a Holiday Open House at Parrot University on December 11. From 10 am-1 pm you can have your picture taken with one of CPR's special birds ($5.00 donation requested).

There will be sales throughout the store from December 11-19.  You're sure to find that special gift for your special bird.  Please consider playing 'Santa' to a CPR bird -- choose from  toys, cage accessories, food, cages and more, to make the holiday special for one of our homeless birds.

2011 CPR CALENDARS FOR SALE

2011 Companion Parrots Re-homed Calendars feature some of our rescued and re-homed parrots. The calendar pages feature beautiful photography, Parrot U class schedules and helpful tips. All proceeds go toward medical care for the birds of CPR.

Calendars are $15 each (add $3 for shipping if applicable) and can be purchased at Parrot University, by calling 704-889-2325 or email to info@companionparrots.org 

Debbie Foster is a CPR Board member who has worked tirelessly on behalf of our birds since even before CPR was formally launched.  She and her very special cockatoo Buddy (who is leash trained) work together at various community events to promote CPR.  With her background as a college communications instructor, Debbie is well positioned to lead the marketing and public relations efforts for CPR.  She has gotten great media coverage for CPR including numerous articles in the Charlotte Observer, an appearance with Larry Sprinkle on WCNC and an interview on Fox to promote Dr. Pepperberg's recent appearance.  In addition, Debbie photographs the birds and produces our highly successful annual calendar plus she takes pictures and videos of available birds and posts them on Petfinder, attracting lots of potential adopters.

Was that not enough?  Apparently not, as Debbie has taken on a more intriguing role this past year.  After attending a training retreat in Oregon, Debbie began spending hours each week working with some of our more challenging birds. The day I saw her with CPR's Buddy, as he allowed her to file his nails, I confess to a few tears.  Those of you who know Buddy will understand why.  Debbie has made incredible progress with many of our birds that seem to lack trust.  She has also helped me personally with a couple of issues with my own birds, and I am very grateful.

Buddy's Manicure

When asked why she enjoys training with the birds, Debbie replied "I like using positive reinforcement training because it forces me to think about baby steps and not the big picture at first.  But the best thing is that it gives you a much deeper relationship with the bird and a true appreciation of how unique each one of them is."

On 11/24 Debbie wrote to Karen:

"I scratched Emma Jane's head today - for a good five minutes.  She closed her eyes and all but purred.

AND Jade got on the training perch for the first time.

AND I let Buddy out of the cage AND got him back in.

A good training day at Parrot U!"

Debbie, all of us are grateful for all you do, and we share in your joy at this new training role.

[Ed: Click to see some of the media coverage of CPR and some videos of Debbie working with the birds using Positive Reinforcement Training]

We are grateful for all our volunteers who have helped us so much this year.  You will be getting extra feathers and NO lumps of coal in your stockings! Happy Holidays to all.