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STAY CONNECTED
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GO SOCIAL Use the 'Share' links at the top of this newsletter to let your friends know about CPR |
| About CPR | |
Companion Parrots Re-homed is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Our Mission
The exclusive mission of Companion Parrots Re-homed is to accept companion parrots from unwanted, emergency or crisis situations throughout the Greater Charlotte, North Carolina, area and to facilitate through training and education, new adoptive homes for these sensitive and intelligent birds.
Meet the Birds
At our website
or
at Parrot University
321 S Polk St, Pineville
Visiting Hours:
Mon - Fri 10 AM - 7 PM
Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM
Sunday Noon - 5 PM Please consider a tax deductible donation. Your gift of any amount will directly help the birds.
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| FREE Classes at Parrot University |
Please RSVP
Call 704-889-2325 or email
Parrot 101
Wed, Jan 11, 6:30 pm
Positive Reinforcement Training
Wed, Dec 14, 6:30 pm
Sat, Jan 28, 2 pm
Avian Medicine
Sun, Dec 18, 2 pm
Sun, Jan 22, 2 pm
More First Quarter 2012 classes will be listed soon.
Check 'Calendar of Events' at
Please Support Our Sponsor
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Recently Adopted |
We're happy to share the good news that these lucky birds have found new families.
Riley, African Grey
PJ, Cockatiel
Mya, Macaw
Our new families often post their stories on Facebook, so please join us. 
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New to CPR |
Visit our website or stop by Parrot University to meet the birds and to help them find new homes. Chippy, Conure www.companionparrots.org |
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Joining Us Soon |
These birds are winging their way to CPR. We'll tell you more about them soon.
Female Eclectus
Pair of Lovebirds
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A Letter to Santa | |
From The Birds of CPR
Dear Santa,
All of us have been very good birds this year. Thanks to our friend and trainer, Debbie, we've learned to forgive the mistakes of our previous homes and to try all sorts of new things. When you come to visit us on Christmas Eve, we will wave at you, turn around when asked, bark, meow, play basketball and even step up for you!
There are lots of things we can always use -- perches, water bottles, bowls, toys, bigger cages and the usual fruits and nuts but NO candy. (Maybe a little seed instead?)
But Santa, what each of us would like to put at the top of our list is a NEW HOME AND FAMILY where we can enjoy these things! And the really great thing about our going to new homes is that it makes room for other birds like us to join the wonderful folks at CPR and begin the search for their new homes!
Santa, please also remember Parrot University when you visit. Without the generosity of Parrot U, we wouldn't have anywhere to live and be cared for -- since times are tough, we worry about them sometimes. If your elves are too busy, perhaps you could shop at Parrot U for our presents.
We'll be sure to leave Birdie Muffins and milk thistle water for you. Safe travels! And, thank you.
The Birds of CPR |
| Quincy: Featured Bird for December | |
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Quincy the Quaker |
Meet Quincy
Species: Quaker
Age: Unknown
After being found outdoors, this sweet little girl is blossoming at CPR. She has the most striking coloring of any Quaker we've seen.
Quincy is currently taking medication for liver problems. She needs a loving owner and will make a wonderful companion.
Watch a video of Quincy.
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| Amelia: Featured Bird for December | |
 | | Amelia, Amazon |
Meet Amelia
Species: Blue-front Amazon
Age: Unknown
This girl is stealing hearts right and left. She's absolutely beautiful, has a good vocabulary and the gift of mimicry and rolls around on the top of her cage -- on her back playing with her toys. Amelia likes to flirt with most of the men she meets and is also okay with women. She was found outdoors and relinquished to Animal Control and is doing great at CPR while she waits for a new home.
Watch a video of Amelia. Go to more videos of Amelia. |
| Maxwell: Featured Bird for December | |
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Maxwell, Macaw |
Meet Maxwell
Species: Blue & Gold Macaw
Age: 24
We love this big, goofy bird! He's just such a sweet boy, who allows many people to scratch his head and quite a few to step him up. Maxwell has had just one owner, who loved him dearly but sadly had to give him up due to her illness.
Watch a video of Maxwell.
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A Holiday Gift that helps...2012 CPR Calendars | |
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2012 CPR Calendar |
This holiday season, you can give a delightful gift that directly supports the Birds of CPR and also helps spread the word about our adoption program. The 2012 CPR calendar, "Birds at the Beach", features colorful and playful photos of some of the Birds of CPR who have been rescued and re-homed. Parrot U class schedules and helpful tips are also included.
Calendars are just $15 each (add $3 each for shipping if ordering) and can be purchased at Parrot University, or to order please call 704-889-2325 or email info@companionparrots.org.
Please help
At this time of year, please consider a tax-deductible donation, in any amount, to help The Birds of CPR. Click for information on how to donate (credit card or check). |
| Happy Endings in 2011 | | |
By Karen Justice
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Beau |
While we still have a month to go I would like to report that we have completed FORTY adoptions in 2011! My original idea was to list each and every Happy Ending but perhaps 40 would be too long! While we were happy and excited for each and every one there are a few that stand out.
My precious Beauregard, Beau to his many friends, joined his new family in April. He is doing extremely well and visited us when his family was out of town. Sweet Jesse, (our "hello" Goffins) is very happy in his new home and shows off quite a repertoire beyond "hello"! Snappy Green (Nanday conure) has absolutely blossomed with his new mom and we are so thrilled for them both!
I would like to extend an invitation to ALL the families of CPR birds to send us a short update on their adopted friend. We would love to hear how their presence has affected your life, funny stories of their antics and other updates on them. Include a photo (of you with them if you would like). One story will be featured each month in this column during 2012.
Thank you to all who have adopted and to those in the process! Please spread the word about all the birds seeking homes at CPR and the ones waiting to join us. While they bring us great joy while here, we want Happy Endings for them all!
See photos of more birds adopted in 2011 on our website.
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| New at Parrot U | | Please support our Sponsor
SPECIAL PRESENTATION - January 7 at 2 pm
 "Preservation of African Wildlife -- Impressions from our safari experience"
Come meet this little fellow and all the other magnificent animals and birds seen by us. Visit preserves near Kruger National Park, in Zululand, the Masai Mara and Serengeti, as Karen Justice and Leslie Wieser share photos and stories of their safari experiences.
Seats are limited so reservations are a must. Please call 704.889.2325 or email to parrots@parrotu.com to RSVP.
FREE PARROT CARE CLASSES
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Class at Parrot U |
The schedule of FREE parrot care classes for the rest of December and January is posted at left. The schedule for February through March 2012 will be posted soon at www.parrotu.com (go to 'Calendar of Events').
Two classes (including Parrot 101) are required for adoption. Classes are appropriate for those new to parrots as well as to seasoned companions.
To RSVP for any of the classes, please call 704.889.2325 or email to parrots@parrotu.com.
BOARDING & GROOMING SERVICES
Get the peace of mind you deserve when you board your precious bird at Parrot University. Their knowledgeable and caring staff will watch over your bird while you are away. Both Private and Communal boarding rooms are available. Holiday weeks fill up fast so reservations are a must. Click for pricing and information.
Grooming services, such as nail and wing trims, are offered by appointment. Please call 704.889.2325 for more information. |
| Tip of the Month | | Holiday Safety
by Debbie Foster
The holidays are a time to be particularly vigilant about your bird's safety. There are so many things that pose a potential threat. Among these are poinsettias, tinsel, glass ornaments and lighting.
Keep in mind how attractive most of those things would be to an inquisitive parrot and how they'd just love to get their little beaks on them! Protect your pet by avoiding risks of poisoning or injury during the holidays.
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Positive Reinforcement Training | | | by Debbie Foster
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Bosley learned the retrieve |
Fetch! Well, that's what you call it when there's a dog involved. When you're working with a parrot, it's called the retrieve. This is a nice little trick that's easy and fast, helps you refine your training skills and lets your bird enjoy the learning process.
Start with your bird on a raised perch (I love the PVC perch at Parrot U), a cage flap that folds down or even the door of the cage. You'll also need an object, such as a ball or a toy and something to catch the object in. Food bowls work nicely.
Check the bird's body language to make sure it's not showing any fear of either the ball or the bowl. If so, proceed at a snail's pace with a lot of food rewards until the bird accepts the presence with relaxed body language. Don't force things --remember that you're constantly building your trust relationship with your bird.
Offer the object to the right of the bird so that it has to turn its head to the object. The bird will likely bring its head, and the object, back to center. Then bring the bowl up so that the bird can easily drop the object into the bowl. If the bird is prone to hang on to the object, then show the food treat so that it will drop the object to get the treat. Don't worry at this point if the bird misses the bowl.
The idea at first is to get your parrot to take the object and then drop the object. Run through this several times, reinforcing after each repetition. The next step involves some coordination on the part of the trainer. You want to catch the object in the bowl, then praise and treat the bird. Do this multiple times, moving the bowl as necessary to catch the object.
Here's where we want the bird to distinguish what it will be rewarded for. At some point the bird will drop the object, but it will not go into the bowl. Calmly pick the object up and give it back to the bird, but DO NOT give the bird the treat. You're now teaching the bird to refine the behavior. Your parrot will figure this out quickly and deliberately place the object.
Now it gets really fun. Move the bowl a short distance away from the midpoint so that the bird actually has to move to drop the object into the bowl. Praise and treat for each successful attempt. Then gradually increase the distance between where the object is offered and where the bowl is located, moving the bowl to the far left. Before you know it your bird will be trotting across the perch to put the object into the bowl.
Hope you have a great time teaching your bird this new trick. You'll see in the video that Bosley caught on very quickly, in one short session, and that she eagerly joins in and enjoys her rewards. I guarantee your bird will feel the same. Watch video
Train away!
Want to learn more? Reserve your seat now for the next Positive Reinforcement Training Class -- on Wednesday, December 14, at 6:30 pm at Parrot University.
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Volunteer Corner | | | DECEMBER 2011
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CPR Volunteers |
Many thanks to all of you who have ever signed up to volunteer for CPR. We continue to get new people who want to help -- whose hearts have been touched by our little feathered rescues and foundlings. Thank you.
If you have a special skill or an idea for something you would like to do, or would just like to help out then please let us know. Love to dust? We can set you up on the toy wall. Can't stand a messy fridge? Come clean out ours. Want to make toys? Happy to chop veggies? We can set you up. And there are always cages to scrub...
It's a little difficult to ask people to do the routine, mundane chores, but they're really essential to give the birds the care they deserve. If, for example, you call to say that you're ready to come over and spend an hour dusting today, we will welcome you heartily.
One of the most important things everyone can do is to support our sponsor, Parrot University, by shopping there. Without Parrot U, CPR has no place to house the birds, so it's critically important that we all support the store and keep it healthy. Consider shopping at Parrot U to be an important contribution and a vote for adoption!
If you're interested in volunteering, please contact me at volunteer@companionparrots.org.
Wishing everyone a very happy holiday season.
Lynda Rettew, Volunteer Coordinator
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We'd love to hear from you. Please send your comments or suggestions to info@companionparrots.org. Thanks to all of you for your support.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF YOU!
The Birds of Companion Parrots Re-homed
Karen Cheek Justice, President & Founder
Board of Directors
Volunteers
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