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EXOTIC BIRD RESCUE
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MAILING ADDRESS
The Florida West Coast Avian Society, Inc. P.O. Box 18145 Sarasota, FL 34276 Web site updates provided by Pat Burke rora.dora@verizon.net |
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Who we are: The Florida West Coast Avian Society Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to education and conservation concerning exotic pet birds. In addition, we support research efforts which work towards finding cures for various avian diseases. The rescue facet of FWCAS is relatively new. It started on an emergency basis in 2004 with Hurricane Charley and scores of parrots that needed to be treated for bacterial infections before being re-homed.
What we do: We stand ready to care for the avian survivors of hurricanes. We temporarily house exotic birds found in the wild (including “lost” pets) and those who are abandoned or otherwise lose their human caretakers. We feed them, socialize them, and when necessary, pay for and provide medical treatment. We try to reunite lost pets with their owners and find good permanent homes for all of the birds.
Why we do it: There is no local exotic bird rescue in the Sarasota area. The Pelican Man Bird Sanctuary, which handles wild birds and other wildlife, refers people to us when they receive calls about lost or found pet birds and parrots. The Humane Society and other animal welfare organizations are aware of our rescue efforts and know that they can turn to us for help if the need arises. From little parakeets to big cockatoos, we saw the need for a place to house birds in need until they could be placed in loving homes.
The road traveled: Since we started our rescue efforts, we’ve rehabilitated and/or re-homed numerous Cockatiels, Quakers, Ringnecks, Conures, Lovebirds, Budgies, and a Cockatoo. Until now, we’ve used volunteers’ homes and lanais to house the birds until they could be adopted out. Since most of us already share our homes with avian companions, we realized the need for a climate-controlled room to keep potentially or obviously ill birds so as to avoid infection of our own pets.
The road ahead: Our new rescue facility is located in a free-standing building on a member’s property in Sarasota. The building has been renovated and reinforced to be able to withstand hurricanes (we hope!), and has been designed in such a way that it can be sanitized to prevent cross contamination in the event we house any sick birds. We have received and are currently accepting donations in the form of cages, supplies, and money needed to care for the birds we take in. This is NOT an animal hospital! Rather, it is a 100% volunteer organization dedicated to helping exotic pet birds with a focus on parrots of all different species. We work in conjunction with professional veterinarians and avian specialists when necessary to treat ill birds. Thanks for your interest in our organization and thanks in advance for supporting the work we’re trying to do for the birds! Lynda Lewis at 941-302-3258 or Lynjupiter@comcast.net OR |
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Sora – Quaker parakeet – was rescued as a baby when the tree her nest was in was cut down. Adopted! |
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Willie – Cherry headed Conure. Given up by her former owner after new baby arrived. Adopted! |
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Kili and Tili – Cockatiels. Adopted! |
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Juju – Blue Crowned conure. Adopted! |
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Scruffy – Quaker parakeet – Rescued when he fell out of his nest. Adopted! |
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Crystal – Umbrella Cockatoo was given up by her owners when they moved. She was in bad shape – loaded with bacterial infections and yeast infections – and plucking. She’s blossomed and started growing new feathers with proper vet care and lots of love from her adoptive family. |
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All photos courtesy Lynda Lewis © May not be reproduced without permission. |
