| Connect with CPR | |
STAY CONNECTED
|
| About CPR | |
Meet the Birds
and at Parrot University
321 S Polk St, Pineville
Click for map and directions
Visiting Hours:
Mon - Fri 10 AM - 7 PM
Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM
Sunday Noon - 5 PM
704-889-2325
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.
|
| Holiday Hours | |
Dec 24, Christmas Eve
10 am to 4 pm
Dec 25, Christmas Day
Closed
Dec 31, New Year's Eve
10 am to 4 pm
Jan 1, New Year's Day
Closed
|
|
Recently Adopted
|
Bert, Patagonian Conure
June Bug, Green-cheek Conure
Gandalf, Congo African Grey
|
|
|
| 2014 Year in Review | |
By Leslie Wieser
As 2014 comes to an end, I'd like to review how we began and where we
 | | Leslie with Merlin, Chance, Daisy and Lucy |
are today. Companion Parrots Re-homed (CPR) grew from a dream that our Founder Karen Justice had, many years ago, to find second or successive homes for displaced parrots. Today, that idea has resulted in hundreds of parrots getting a fresh start. In 2006 Karen opened Parrot University, a retail store specializing in parrot supplies, and she welcomed displaced parrots through CPR....and the birds started pouring in. It didn't take long before the new store was full of happy squawks and whistles.
Since that time, Karen has led both organizations. In April of this year, she made the decision to step back from the day-to-day operations of CPR and Parrot U in order to focus on education and promoting issues relevant to parrot homelessness and adoption. As a result, 2014 has been a year of transition. Change has its challenges, but through change also comes new ideas and new successes. And one thing that will not change about CPR is our mission -- to accept companion parrots and to facilitate through training and education, new adoptive homes for the birds in our program.
CPR had a very busy 2014. Here are just some of the highlights:
- The Board of Directors is proud to announce that 45 birds were adopted year-to-date in 2014.
- CPR facilitated two unique events -- an educational event presented by Chris Jenkins of Natural Encounters Inc., revealing 'The Secret of Animal Training' and the comedy benefit, 'Feathers, Friends and FUNds' at the Comedy Zone, featuring Julie Scoggins.
- CPR presented 61 free, educational classes in parrot care, with over 477 people in attendance.
- Bosley celebrated another birthday in July and welcomed everyone to 'Bosley's Big Birdie Birthday Bash.'
- CPR was represented at more than a dozen community events.
- An expanded Board of Directors reviewed and updated policies.
- CPR was featured on TV, published 11 monthly newsletters, continued to communicate with our Facebook followers and also started tweeting on Twitter.
- CPR established the Justice Perch Endowment Fund, in Karen's honor, so that her work to benefit parrots can continue.
 Nobody knows what the future will bring, but it's business as usual for Parrot U and CPR and we look forward to a successful 2015, helping more parrots. You can help too, by spreading the word about CPR and about the need for parrot education and adoption. With appreciation from the CPR Board, the staff at Parrot U, and all of the birds of Companion Parrots Re-homed, we extend our very best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season.
|
Meet Eleanor: Featured Bird for December
| | |
 | | Eleanor, Budgie |
Species: Budgie
Age: Unknown - found outdoors
Budgies come in a rainbow of colors, but Eleanor (or Ellie) is especially beautifully colored, with her turquoise and yellow plumage. She will readily fly to your hand for a snack and she's a little bit overweight. If you need a budgie buddy, please come meet this girl.
Watch Eleanor's video and come meet her.
|
Meet Moe: Featured Bird for December
| | |
 | | Moe, Amazon |
Species: Orange-winged Amazon
Age: Unknown
Moses (Moe) is a sweetheart of an Orange-winged Amazon. He's a special needs bird, on daily medication, who's been a favorite of CPR/Parrot U volunteers and staff. Moses has been trained to say "Good bird!" and sometimes even responds with an enthusiastic "Good, good bird!" Moses recently learned to step up onto a tabletop perch. This sweet boy deserves a wonderful home -- could it be yours?
Watch Moe's video.
|
| Meet Jake: Featured Bird for December | | |
 | | Jake, Catalina Macaw |
Age: 22
Jake is a handsome hunk of a hybrid Macaw, who prides himself on being something of a bad boy. Jake wouldn't be suitable for a first-time bird owner, but he does pick people that he likes (so far, always male) and can be quite patient in working with them. He says "Hello!" in a bass voice that always gets attention. Jake would love a chance to work his charms on YOU! Watch Jake's video.
|
| Help Homeless Parrots at the Holidays | |
There are many ways to help at this time of year...
Holiday Parrot Tree
 | | Holiday Parrot Tree |
Be a caring Santa to your favorite homeless parrot. Just visit the Parrot Tree at Parrot U, now through December 31 and pick your special parrot. Your gift might be the only holiday gift received by a parrot waiting to be adopted. If you believe that every bird deserves a Happy Holiday, this is a wonderful opportunity to help!
Donate to Help the Birds
Please consider a year-end, tax deductible donation to help the birds of CPR. Your gift in any amount will help save more homeless parrots.
Shop at Parrot University
Please support our sponsor, Parrot University, for all of your avian supplies and gift-giving. A Parrot U gift certificate makes a special holiday gift.
2015 CPR Calendars
Support the birds of CPR while enjoying the beautiful photos all year long. They make great gifts for everyone on your list and all proceeds benefit the birds (just $15 each).
CPR Ornaments
Make great gifts or a meaningful addition to your own ornament collection. Prices start at $5 and all proceeds benefit the parrots awaiting adoption.
|
|
| |
Please call 704-889-2325 or email info@companionparrots.org to register. The courtesy of a cancellation is requested if unable to attend. Click for class descriptions and calendars.
 | | Education is the key! |
Parrot 101
Saturday, January 10, 2 pm
Thursday, February 12, 6:30 pm
Avian Health & Medicine
Sunday, January 18, 2 pm
Saturday, February 21, 2 pm
Positive Reinforcement Training
Saturday, January 17, 11 am
Saturday, February 21, 11 am
What's in your Toolbox?
Saturday, February 28, 11 am
Healthy Eating for You & Your Parrot
Saturday, January 24, 11 am
Sex & the Single Bird
Sunday, January 25, 2 pm
Toymaking
Saturday, January 31, 11 am
All classes are held in the CPR Education Center at Parrot University.
|
| Tip of the Month: Holiday Safety Tips | |
 | | CPR Ornament |
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.
|
| Train Away! | |
By Debbie Foster, CPBT-KA
I'm frequently asked, "Is this bird nice?". I always smile and follow up by asking the person what they mean by "nice". And each time the answer is that they really mean "does the bird bite?".
 | | Bert, adopted in 2014 |
Biting is one of the ways that a parrot communicates, but in most cases it's not their first choice. Parrots have wonderful and complex body language that provides us with a clear understanding of what's going on -- if we're in tune to it. When a parrot bites, it's because we missed the behavior that preceded the bite. In essence, we forced the bird to bite us.
I recently heard a great story from a new parrot owner. I asked if the bird had bitten anybody or demonstrated any aggressive body language (such as lunging with an open beak). The gentleman answered that he'd only seen the bird push a hand away in order to remove it from the environment. WOW! This was a beautiful example of two-way communication between a parrot and a person. The parrot said, "No, thanks" with his body language and the person responded by removing their hand.
Often, the person doesn't see or understand or honor that body language and is then bitten. The bite certainly works for the bird, and I'll bet the person thinks twice before setting up that scenario a second time. The question becomes: why do we want to push our birds to that point and have them practice biting, and subsequently becoming harder and faster with that response?
So your training challenge for this month is to give your bird the gift of choice. Use positive reinforcement, understanding that the bird is allowed to say no, and is able to receive a valued reinforcement for making a good choice. Watch for the subtle communication your bird demonstrates and make a bite unnecessary.
Train away!
|
| Volunteer Corner | |
By Lynda Rettew
 | | Sinbad, available for adoption |
Our volunteers made a real difference this holiday season. Val Vajay signed us up for the Belk Charity Sale and many volunteers helped staff tables to sell tickets. Jim Alexander, Anjana Bhawnani, Jennifer Drummond, Susan Williamson, Sarah Coats, Judy Elkins, Connie Thompson -- thank you so much. Debbie Foster, thank you for bringing birds to these tables. Leslie Wieser, Val and I served at the store as greeters on November 8. Many took advantage of this wonderful sale, but the best part is that we earned $400 for CPR. Thanks to Belk for this opportunity.
Stephen Platte and Val Vajay represented us at the Bird Mart on November 15. They raised more than $600 for CPR by selling donated items. A big thanks to them as well as to all of the people who donated the items for sale.
To all of our wonderful CPR volunteers who have shared time and effort during 2014, a sincere thank you. The success of our organization and the future of the birds depend on you. We are all very grateful to you and wish you a very happy holiday.
|
| Holiday Shopping that Helps the Birds | |
You can help the Birds of CPR while you shop and browse, with no extra cost to you. Just use these links.
 
|
|
The Birds of Companion Parrots Re-homed
Board of Directors
Volunteers
|
|
|
