10/13/2021
BROKEN WING WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE 9 YEARS AGO TODAY
"Celebrating the life of all God's creations!"
A PERSONAL PLEA FROM GREG KEVAKIAN FOR SOMEONE TO ADOPT CRACKER FROM ARIZONA EXOTIC BIRD RESCUE (480) 215-4846.
UPDATE EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 16, 2012: If you are interested in providing Cracker a loving home, Tyler Odekirk, Executive Director at the Arizona Exotic Bird Rescue is asking all interested parties regarding Cracker to contact Curt Scarberry, CEO of Arizona Exotic Bird Rescue at 928.710.3214.
Good evening everyone.
On or about October 1, 2012, I gave you a history regarding Cracker, an umbrella cockatoo, that was surrendered to Broken Wing in February 2012.
From February through June of 2012, I provided love and care for Cracker. While he was with me, he was rarely in his cage. In fact, I found out that he did not like being in a cage at all. If you left him in one during the day, he would cry. Therefore, I let him out in the morning so he could play with two other umbrella cockatoos during the day. At night Cracker liked to cuddle and watch movies. He then would go to his cage to sleep without crying.
This picture was taken at Broken Wing in May of 2012, one month prior to being returned to his prior caregiver. As you can see, he was happy and in good condition.
In June, I discovered that the prior caregiver found a suitable place to live that allowed her to care for her birds. I offered to return Cracker to her and she accepted. Upon returning, Cracker did not seem right. The prior caregiver just did not look right to me and I knew then I was making a mistake in returning Cracker to her. I assure everyone that I will NOT make that same mistake again. Broken Wing did not charge one dime for the care of Cracker from February through June 2012.
We documented Cracker's return on two separate posts. Here are the links to those particular posts:
https://www.facebook.com/BrokenWingParrotRefuge/photos/a.10150437730872347/10150934826632347/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/BrokenWingParrotRefuge/photos/a.10150437730872347/10150936120142347/?type=3&theater
Shortly thereafter the prior caregiver posted attacks about me and Broken Wing. I defended myself. The caregiver's father, a private detective out of Texas asked me to stop defending myself and apparently he compelled Facebook to remove the picture I posted of Cracker's return to his daughter. I replied that if his daughter did not stop her false allegations, I would take her to court. I am sure "Daddy" has had to cover for his daughter all her life. Nothing was heard after that.
Subsequently, the prior caregiver surrendered Cracker back to Arizona Exotic Bird Rescue (AEBR), the same rescue that the prior caregiver accused of taking her birds under false pretense back in February. At that time the prior caregiver asked for my help and her three birds (which included Cracker) were returned to her within 24 hours of my involvement.
Tyler Odekirk, Executive Director of Arizona Exotic Bird Rescue confided in me that Cracker was received in "not very good shape" and "in a small cage" for Cracker's species. I offered to donate a large cage for Cracker, but Oderkirk has yet to reply (it has been over a week).
Then I found out that Curt Scarberry, CEO of Arizona Exotic Bird Rescue recently posted on their page an untrue statement:
""Good morning .... in regards to Cracker he is Arizona Exotic Bird Rescue bird and always has been ... he was surrendered to the rescue a couple years back and Tracy adopted him ... Tracy was no longer able to care for him and per our adoption contact he was returned to the rescue ..."
Mr. Scarberry's statement makes me appear as a liar concerning this matter which compelled me to post the truth here.
I have noticed that people are asking for recent pictures of Cracker on the AEBR page and I was told that they have not been forthcoming in providing any pictures.
The bottom line is, Cracker will not survive in a cage. Cracker is an awesome umbrella cockatoo that just needs love. My Board will not allow me to purchase Cracker from AEBR because it violates our policy in that we do not pay for birds. THEREFORE, I am pleading with someone to contact AEBR and adopt Cracker. PLEASE!
Peace. Love and God bless!
Greg Kevakian
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History:
Back in February of this year, Broken Wing was contacted by a concerned individual that alleged that a local bird rescue was keeping her birds under false pretense and asked for our help in getting them back to her. Our Executive Director, Greg Kevakian believed this individual’s allegations, got involved and all three birds were returned to her within 24 hours.
Subsequently, this individual asked if we would take in Cracker, on temporary bases, because this individual needed time to find an adequate place to live.
The Prime Directive according to Broken Wing's Bylaws, as amended states, in relevant part:
"Provide assistance to the parrot caregiver enabling them to keep their feathered companion rather than surrender, re-home, adoption or worse, abandonment or euthanize." (Article I, Section 3, 3a)
Under certain circumstances, Broken Wing will provide temporary care of the parrot for the caregiver up to six (6) months at no cost to the caregiver enabling time to resolve their situation so that they can be reunited with their feathered companion.
On February 7th, 2012, Cracker was picked up and transported to Broken Wing at our own expense. A few weeks later the prior caregiver decided to surrender Cracker completely to Broken Wing. Greg Kevakian decided NOT to send this individual with the surrender paperwork because he believed in his heart that this person truly loved Cracker and that when things got better would want Cracker returned.
From February 7th, through June 2012, Greg Kevakian took care of Cracker as if the feathered companion was his own. After completion of Cracker’s quarantine period, for the most part, Cracker was out of his enclosure all day long. He loved socializing with two of our other umbrella cockatoos, Dante and Keto. At night, Cracker loved watching TV and snuggling against Greg until it was bedtime.
In June, Greg discovered the Cracker’s prior caregiver had a suitable place for their birds. On June 6th, he inquired if the prior caregiver would like Cracker returned. The caregiver accepted and Broken Wing again, at our own expense, transported Cracker for his return. What did Broken Wing charge the prior caregiver for providing love and care for Cracker from February 7th through June 7th, 2012? Absolutely nothing!
Nothing was heard about Cracker until last week. Greg Kevakian received a private message from Tyler Odekirk, one of the principals at the Arizona Exotic Bird Rescue. This is the same organization that Cracker’s previous caregiver alleged retained possession of three birds under false pretense. Greg and Tyler exchanged civil private messages and have agreed to support each other’s efforts for the common good of the birds. Tyler then disclosed that Cracker was now with them again and was “not received in very good shape” and was in too small of a cage for his species. There was talk of Greg Kevakian adopting Cracker but the Broken Wing Board of Directors denied his request because as a matter of policy we do not pay for birds. Greg Kevakian then offered to purchase a larger cage for Cracker that Arizona Exotic Bird Rescue can keep for the benefit of Cracker; Greg is waiting for their reply.
Cracker is a very loving cockatoo, but can be demanding if left alone in a cage by himself. He deserves a good life. If he is out of his cage, he will not be noisy at all. He will snuggle with you and say, “Cracker Bird!” If you are interested in providing Cracker a loving home, please contact Tyler Odekirk at the Arizona Exotic Bird Rescue (480) 215-4846.
According to Odekirk, you will have to go through an application process, visitation with Cracker, and a home visit. There will be an adoption fee that is based on a sliding scale based primarily upon veterinarian cost that they have incurred thus far for Cracker’s care.
Please search your heart and help get Cracker to a loving and caring home.
