| Help the Birds | |
Companion Parrots Re-homed is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Your tax deductible donation to Companion Parrots Re-homed will make a real difference and help a bird in need.
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| 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 Your tax deductible donation in 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 plus one additional class is required for adoption
Parrot 101
Wed, June 5, 6:30 pm
Sun, July 7, 2 pm
Avian Medicine
Sun, June 23, 2 pm
Sat, July 20, 2 pm
Positive Reinforcement
Sat, June 8, 2 pm
Sun, July 14, 2 pm
What's In Your Toolbox
for class schedules Please Support Our Sponsor |
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Recently Adopted
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Join us in wishing these birds and their families wonderful new lives together!
Dusty, Congo African Grey
Nacho, Mexican Red-headed Amazon
Jasmine, Moluccan Cockatoo
Our new families often post photos, videos and progress reports about their new family members on Facebook. Check it out!
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New to CPR
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Come meet the newest members of the CPR family at Parrot University.
Tiki, Congo African Grey
Chelsea, Lesser Sulfur-crested Cockatoo
Mia, Black-masked Lovebird
Sassy, Peach-faced Lovebird
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Joining Us Soon
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In Quarantine
Grover, Black-masked Lovebird
Mumford, Peach-faced Lovebird
Asher, Timneh African Grey
Smokey, Congo African Grey
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| Rest in Peace Arthur | | |
by Karen Cheek Justice
Sadly, The Alex Foundation and Dr. Irene Pepperberg have suffered another loss. Arthur, aka "Wart", passed away recently from PDD (Proventricular Dilitation Disease). Wart was the youngest Grey in the program, only 14 years old. He had been undergoing treatment for kidney disease and had been responding well.
A few months ago Wart became ill and was tested for Avian Borna Virus, which has been linked to PDD. Sadly, the results were positive, so treatment was started in suspicion of PDD. Again he responded well and returned to his sweet, playful self. But, it was only a temporary remission. He became ill again and passed away in February from this horrid disease.
PDD is a medical mystery. The discovery of the link with ABV was touted as a great breakthrough, but has suffered setbacks. Not all birds positive with ABV have PDD. And not all PDD positive birds test positive to ABV. Clearly there are other causes not yet discovered.
PLEASE support research programs such as the one at Texas A&M's Schubot Bird Health Center. Funding is sorely needed to continue the research into causes, tests, and treatment. We desperately need to conquer this horrible disease.
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| Tiki: Featured Bird for June | |
 | | Tiki, Congo African Grey |
Meet Tiki
Species: Congo African Grey
Age: 8
Sadly Tiki was relinquished due to his mom's severe asthma. He is a shy fellow at first, but once he gets to know you he's a real sweetheart.
Tiki has a good human vocabulary and excellent mimicry. Now that Pepper and Precious are in their new home, Tiki and Sailor have taken over their role as our entertainment! Sometimes it sounds as if there is a huge party going on in the library! He does well with men, women, and children.
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| Dolly: Featured Bird for June | |
 | | Dolly, Calico Macaw |
Meet Dolly
Age: 8
Dolly is a hybrid called a Calico Macaw -- a cross between a Military and a Green-winged. She joined us after one owner passed away and the other suffered a stroke and could no longer care for her.
In recent years, Dolly hasn't been handled. so we're working hard to build trust with her so that she will interact more with us. She's a very happy bird and enjoys her time out of the cage. Ms. Bosley is not pleased with her presence, so she hangs out in the other room.
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| Tip of the Month: Taking Your Parrot Outside | | |
by Lindsay Boardman
Taking our parrots outdoors in the warm weather can be a fun way to spend time with the whole flock. Follow these tips to ensure your parrot's safety when he or she is outside.
- Even a bird with clipped wings can fly. And though your bird may be bonded to you, it doesn't mean he won't fly away. Flying is a parrot's basic instinct. (Ask to see the lost and found book next time you visit Parrot University -- it's FULL of names and descriptions of birds that have either flown away or have been found outside.) A secure, larger size travel cage can be a perfect way to allow your bird to get some outside time without the risk of him/her getting loose.
- Never leave your parrot unattended. Predators are everywhere. (Hawks are absolutely ruthless and will snatch a parrot in a heartbeat, even off of your shoulder!)
- Make sure your bird has adequate shade and that the temperature is not too hot or cold. Provide water if you like, but do not put food out as it could attract predators.
Start with short visits outside until your bird grows accustomed and comfortable being there. All the new stimulation can be exhausting! Pay attention to your bird's body language and bring him inside if he seems stressed.
The physical and emotional benefits of sunshine and fresh air will greatly improve the quality of your parrot's life.
 | | Isabelle enjoying the sunshine in her travel carrier |
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Train Away!
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by Debbie Foster
 | | Donovan |
Getting your bird to step up is a common challenge many people have with their parrots.
Where is it written that the definition of a successful parrot is one that readily steps up -- every time, for everyone? At Natural Encounters, training expert Steve Martin never tells a bird to step up. He ASKS the bird to invite us into its space.
Stand back a few feet, offer a flat palm and show a food reinforcer at head level. Ask "Step up?" If the bird shows you by its body language that it is ready, move in slowly, keeping your hand steady, and allow the bird to step onto your hand. If the bird reaches back with a foot, or turns to look at the perch, let him go back immediately. This allows the bird to be in control and also builds trust.
Some parrots aren't keen on human hands. Try a tabletop perch instead. Desensitize the bird to the perch, then work on baby steps until the bird steps on to it. Reinforce this well to build a history of positive experience. Again, allow the bird to step back if it wants.
Barbara Heidenreich teaches that some birds are more prone to stepping up sideways. Using a floor perch, grip the end so that your arm becomes an extension of the perch. Then lure the bird step by step, using a favorite food reinforcer, until the bird makes the transition from the perch to your hand or arm.
Whichever method you choose, remember that repetition builds confidence. You're working on building trust between you and your bird, as well as building a skill.
Train away!
Watch Buddy learning to side step up.
Watch Donovan learn to step up on a table top perch.
Watch Bosley invite a step up.
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Happy Ending: Emmy's New Home
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by Amanda Babbitt
 | | At the Police Station in Georgia |
Our happy ending began unfolding in 2012, when we visited our local Kiwanis fair in Georgia. My son was able to visit some of the 'sanctuary' birds and loved the Umbrella Cockatoos more than anything else we saw that day.
Already having had a love for birds, my husband and I decided to start looking for a feathered friend as an addition to our family. In December, we found an ad on Atlanta Craigslist for an Umbrella Cockatoo in need of a new home. We went to meet the cockatoo they called 'Baby' and brought her home to be the newest member of our family.
In March, we received a disturbing call alerting us that our Baby may have been a stolen bird and we immediately contacted Parrot University and the Pineville Police Department. After speaking with Karen on the phone, it was decided that they would make the trip down to Georgia to see if this was in fact the missing Emmy. Upon meeting Karen and Debbie, who were so gracious in light of the situation, we knew that this was Emmy and that she would have to return to Parrot U.
We were devastated that Emmy would have to leave us, but seeing how happy Karen and Debbie were to have been reunited with her, we knew that we would have to let her go. Karen offered to perform a home visit and invited us to attend classes at Parrot U with the hopes that we would be able to officially adopt Emmy. The home visit went well and Emmy was off to Pineville for vetting and quarantine.
 | | Emmy at Parrot U |
Karen and I kept in touch about the upcoming classes and a date was arranged for us to drive to Pineville and take all of the required courses in one day. We were so excited when the date came; we awoke at 4 am to begin the drive to Parrot U. Once we arrived, we were happy to find that everyone was so welcoming. Though we've had past bird experience, we learned so much from the classes. It was definitely a learning experience and getting to see Emmy for the first time in over a month made me so happy. I know that she had a good home while she was at Parrot U and everyone who walked through the door seemed to know and love her (almost as much as we do). We shopped for some cool toy-making supplies and said our temporary goodbyes, as Emmy had a show to do the following Monday morning before coming home to us.
The day of Emmy's return to Georgia, we picked our son up early from his learning center and met Karen back at our home. We knew that our son, Cody, and Emmy would have a fantastic reunion, as they were the best of friends from day one. They reconnected immediately. We were able to show how well they played together. One of their favorite activities is jumping on the trampoline, where Emmy is able to perch and hop along with Cody.
[See video of Cody and Emmy playing here.]
Emmy has readjusted so quickly to being home with us. She loves the new sweet gum play stand that we made for her and will hang out there as long as we are in the same room to supervise. Emmy has the pleasure of all day company, as I work from home, and I get to enjoy her antics when she is in a silly mood.
We are currently working with her on her 'calling' that starts when Cody leaves the room. They now have the same bed time which seems to be working out nicely.
We want to thank everyone at Parrot U and all of the volunteers with CPR for everything you do for all of the birds, like Emmy, who need to be adopted into a family that will cherish them. Though Emmy's happy ending started out as a scary robbery, it seemed to work out as if it were meant to be. We love our newest family member and thank you all for everything you have done for her.
-Amanda
 | | Emmy at home in Georgia |
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| Bosley's Big Birdie Birthday Bash 2013 | | |
Bosley's Big Birdie Birthday Bash
Saturday, July 27, 2013
11am-4pm
Join us for cake, raffle prizes, sales throughout
the store, tours, classes, and fun for the whole family!
Parrot University
321 S. Polk St. Suite 2C
Pineville, NC 28134
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| 2014 CPR Fundraiser Calendars | |
 | | Snappy Green 2012 Calendar |
It's that time again! We're currently accepting sponsorship of birds for calendar pages and we're accepting bids for the 2014 cover-bird.
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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.
The Birds of Companion Parrots Re-homed
Karen Cheek Justice, President & Founder
Board of Directors
Volunteers
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