others , are not well adapted for captivity . They live in flocks in the wild , and become neurotic when captured , transported ( usually in cruel conditions ), and forced to live in cages alone . In a human residence they sometimes become loud , aggressive , and in their anxiety they frequently pluck out their feathers and damage their skin .
Yet Christopher has created a hospitable environment for these magnificent and intelligent birds , with huge cages that allow for some “ flock ” interaction but also provide privacy when a parrot needs it . Each enclosure has handmade wooden perches , items to occupy busy and curious avian brains , and room to move . Being escorted into their private domain was a privilege , but the volume was astounding . Christopher chuckled that without his trusted presence to tone down their fear of strangers , the volume would have been deafening . This facility would never survive noise ordinances in densely populated areas of the County !
In addition to caring for the few fortunate birds that land at Garuda Aviary , Christopher devotes his organization ’ s resources to providing information that discourages buying parrots as pets , and offers his “ parrot whisperer ” blog to help parrot owners solve the inevitable problems that arise . Like Star Gazing Farm and Lost and Found Donkey Rescue , he can only take a fraction of the unwanted creatures in need of homes .
All three organizations spend
Christopher Zeoli , Director of Garuda Aviary , chats with an outgoing Cockatoo . Left : aviary volunteers John
Pelletier and Jerry Soto prepare the daily fresh buffet for the loudly appreciative flock .
much time educating people , urging them to understand that animal loud , too needy , or too expensive
than they expected : too large , too
ownership should be a lifelong and time-consuming to care for . commitment . They are all consistently contacted by people hop- find homes for unwanted animals
They spend time networking to
ing to find a home for an animal throughout the region , or suggesting alternative care arrangements . they have found was more work
Melane Kinney Hoffmann has lived on a farm in the Ag Reserve for 30 years with her family , including a bunch of horses and rescue dogs . She and husband Tom have been involved in numerous efforts to preserve open space and protect the Reserve . For more than a decade Melane managed Hidden Ridge Farm Flowers and Herbs , selling cut flowers and mixed bouquets to farm stores , floral designers , grocery stores , CSA customers , and she designed flowers for weddings and events . Now moving into semi-retirement she still hosts “ Flowers , Friends , and Fun ” workshops for private groups of 7 or more at the farm . www . hiddenridgeflowersandherbs . com
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