Totally Flocked Avian Rescue

12/19/2024

Guess who got an OUTSTANDING report from the vet today?!?! Yeppers that’d be Pepper!

The vet was VERY IMPRESSED with how much more active, alert, and vocalizing plus his little foot wound has decreased in size and is healing nicely.

AND he hasn’t lost any more weight! Woohooo. Gooo Pepper! We got a few more days of antibiotics to ensure he gets over his infection. His bloodwork other than the infection was great. We think he may have been suffering with infection for quite some time. His neuro issues have improved but we still don’t know what’s caused that (he was much worse and suffering from seizures when he was given to my friend over a year ago)

He traveled lie a champ too.
Got home and gave him some bird bistro and he ate an entire teaspoon!

Sweet baby fighter!

12/19/2024

❤️❤️❤️

12/17/2024

Look who’s feeling better today! Takes his meds like a champ and lets me medicate his foot. Eating and more active. I love that he’s vocalizing now.

12/17/2024

Look how far they’ve both come!!

12/17/2024

Excellent example of hormonal cockatoos. See the attached link for more tips and info on triggers and how to minimize.

12/16/2024

❤️

“Know that old gelding of yours? You know, the trusty gelding who taught you to ride. We all have one in our pasture. He was the first horse you trusted with your kids. Everything this horse has done has had a purpose behind it.

Now his joints are starting to show arthritis from all the learning you two did together. He probably has slowed down and need a little extra food. Your family is ready for something with a little more speed and he doesn’t fit the bill. So you convince yourself you are letting him go so he can help teach another child. In your mind, you see him happily trotting down the road with a sweet little girl on his back.

In reality, that little girl will ride and love him for a few years. However, she outgrows him. He’s even slower and she’s ready to run. Her family is not bonded with your horse like you were. They sell him to the inexperienced family down the road.

This family knows nothing about horses. They don’t know how to feed an aged horse. He looses weight. Soon it’s so bad they keep him in the back pasture where no one can see him.
Finally, they take him to a sale.

No one at the sale wants a neglected, aged horse. So he goes through the ring and sells for $400 to a killbuyer. The killpen is where I find him. I know nothing about his history and nothing about his health. All I can see is the wisdom and pain in his eyes. I take him home.

As much as I love what I do, I would love to never see one of these poor old guys again. It breaks my heart to know that this is the story of so many animals out there.

So please, please keep your aged horses. If you can no longer afford them, lease them to a friend or put them down. No one deserves for their life to end this way.”

- Shishana Rourke (writing / photo)

12/16/2024

Pepper had a spa day. A little warm soak for his footsies. He decided to take a little bath too. We got swaddled in a towel and applied boo-boo cream to his foot.

It’s looking better and thankfully now that it’s super clean, I can see the “wound” and it’s not nearly as bad as I thought. He loved the warm soak and the towel cuddling.

12/16/2024

Romie trying to be sneaky and grab my shirt as I’m tucking everyone into bed. Lol

12/16/2024

❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

Rescue work doesn’t make you stronger.

It doesn’t MAKE you anything.

It reveals you.

“Well that didn’t go as planned,” is one thing you’ll say (probably with a few expletives thrown in) quite a bit. A lot in fact. In fact it’s hardly worth planning anything. Most things go t**s up. So it’s better to just take each day as it comes and fly by the seat of your pants, happy pants of course!

Control is a mere illusion... The thought that you have any, at any given time, is utterly false. One minute you’re calmly feeding a cow the next minute you’re chasing a pig down the lane. Your entire day can derail within ten seconds of the rising sun.

Sometimes sleep is a luxury... So are lunch and dinner. Oh and breakfast and brushing your hair. Odd socks are quite common too (or maybe that’s just me..)

You find muscles that you never knew existed from trying to stop an overly full wheelbarrow of horse p**p from tipping over. Or from trying to wade through 2ft deep mud without losing a welly.

Injuries become a regular daily occurrence and you find bruises which you have no idea where they come from, in random shapes and strange places.. you get used to saying “oh that’s a cockerel peck,” and “that’s a pig bite..” as if it’s as common as a paper cut. I’ve had black eyes from emus and toenails removed by cows.. but I expect the best are yet to come..

And it’s when one of theses animals is ill, you’ll go to heroic lengths to minimise their discomfort. Their needs come first. Above your own, above your partners, above your friends and family.. they have to. That’s what rescue is.

In summer heatwaves and on bitterly cold winter days - come rain, shine or snow - clean water, clean bed and plenty of feed. Before you have your first meal, they all eat. Standard.

They become your friends. You talk to them and they talk to you, just not out loud. They see you in all your “hedge backwards” hair glory, morning eye bags and evening mud packs and there’s still no judgement. Just love and appreciation for you saving them.

When you lose one of them, even though you know that day is inevitable, you still feel sadness, angst and emotional pain from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. And it’s a heaviness that lingers even though you must regroup and press on.

You’ll remain present no matter what because you must. There is no other option.
You’ll ask for so many miracles and hold out hope until the very last.

You cry a lot. You’ll laugh a lot. And you’ll need some really good soap!

You will, at least once, face-plant in the p**p pile and peeing outside just becomes the norm. When you gotta go, you gotta go - even if you are at the top of the sheep hill!

You’re always on sunset clock, knowing what time it gets dark and what time the chickens need to be put to bed. The earliness of this becomes a great advantage of the winter season.. probably the only advantage of the winter season.

You’ll become weirdly obsessive about the weather. And quite fearful of the wind. When it’s sunny you’re in the best mood because you can see the animals enjoying it.

You friends think you’re nutty but they love your craziness and big heart. And they know you’re always late for everything, with stories like, “sorry I’m late, I found a stray cat on the way..”

You’ll go out in public (which is usually only as far as the supermarket or animal feed shop) wearing dirty clothes, muddy boots and probably smelling of p**p. (Any dogs you meet have their noses superglued to your trousers, addicted to the smell of 500 different types of animal and animal p**p on you.) Muddy boots just become an extended part of your being. And wellies! You get excited about wellies! You’re envious of other people wellies, you’re proud of your own wellies, you’re devastated when your favourite pair get a hole in. Wellies are your life.

You can wash your clothes. They won’t look any cleaner, but they will probably smell nicer. As for your vehicle - it’s most likely a 4x4 or pick up and most likely has an interior lavishly decorated with straw and an exterior that resembles a mud hut on wheels. There’s no point washing that one.

But for all the mud in your life there’s an awful lot of love. And it’s the best type - unconditional love. For every tear in your eye, there’s a thank you in theirs. And that’s why you do what you do.

Rescue is hard - hard on the body, mind and hands! Heavy on the heart, but heavy with reward.

So should you ever have the opportunity to work or volunteer at a rescue or sanctuary, take the chance! You will never do anything more satisfying in your entire life.

Rescue doesn’t make you anything.

Rescue makes you.
- Pants Ranch animal sanctuary & rescue

12/16/2024

I found a walnut THIS big!!! I swear!

12/16/2024

Just hanging with Pepper. Pepper has had neurological issues previously and recently started mutilating his feet. He's really good at taking his meds and I haven't seen bl👀d for 24 hours 🤞.

After meds and ointment we spent some time just letting him rest OFF his feet. He laid on his back on my chest and seemed to really enjoy it. ❤️❤️❤️. I sure hope I can get him over this - I’m trying my damndest.

12/15/2024

Whew - we took in 10 birds in the last couple of days.

As soon as I said we no longer had any available birds for adoption, BAM! What that means though, is I had the room for all these babies. Thankfully most are smaller birds.

I've updated our website with the 7 new adoptables. There are three that will definitely not be leaving the rescue for various reasons. Two were previous residents here, one is a very old quaker who is still feisty as hell.

And another conure, Pepper, that is under medical care. He had neurological issues when he was first taken in by another rescue and given to the owner, but he has now developed a systemic infection and is mutilating his feet. He's already on pain meds, antibiotics and wound cream for his feet. Unsure of his prognosis at this point, so he will be receiving ongoing vet care to try and improve and extend his quality of life. However, when that is diminished, I will make the call for him.

I personally know where these birds have lived and I know they've been very well loved and cared for. Another owner with an unexpected health crisis unfortunately. And now a huge broken heart.

All the birds are handleable, except for the ringneck who is only 8 months old, so with time and patience, should tame just fine.

If you'd like to help with vet care for little Pepper the conure, you can contribute directly to our vet at Safe Harbor Animal Hospital, Pensacola.

Other ways to donate:

Donate with PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=N2342TPTU2S64

Donate with Venmo - www.venmo.com/totallyflocked

Donate with Zeffy - https://www.zeffy.com/fundraising/f798464c-0389-4859-a523-116030c1b10e

Amazon Wish List - https://a.co/2munEeF

Chewy Wish List - https://www.chewy.com/g/totally-flocked-avian-rescue_b131251900 -list

If you are interested in any of the birds available, you will only be considered upon completion of the adoption application:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBUcgwT1JS9e-B94xbSLMCbRDtm1D2gSLUHuxePMq0wooHUQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

12/14/2024

Meet our Indian Ringneck -

This 8 month old Indian Ringneck is a nervous little one who's just beginning to learn what it means to trust. Rescued from a retiring home "breeder", this baby hasn't had a chance to fully experience the love and patience.

Not yet tame, this sweet baby will thrive with someone who is patient, kind, and willing to put in the time to build a bond. With gentle care, this little one has so much potential to grow into a wonderful, loyal companion.

Are you ready to give this baby fresh start and a forever home?

Adoption application must be completed to be considered:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBUcgwT1JS9e-B94xbSLMCbRDtm1D2gSLUHuxePMq0wooHUQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

12/14/2024

Meet our adorable pair of English Budgies.

These two 1-yr old English Budgirs are as sweet as they are chwrming! Friendly and handleable, they love spending time together and bring double the joy with their chirps and playful little personalities.

They thrive on each other's company and deserve to stay side by side in their forever home.

Ready to welcome them into your flock?

You must complete an application to be considered:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBUcgwT1JS9e-B94xbSLMCbRDtm1D2gSLUHuxePMq0wooHUQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

12/14/2024

Meet Nat & Santi - 2 beautiful Cockatiels seeking their forever home!

Nat is a 6 yr old Cinnamon and Santi is a 5 yr old Pied - a completely charming pair of cockatiels!

They are very fond of each other and will be adopted as a pair.

Both are gentle, handleable and full of personality and sweet whistles, making them a delightful addition to ay bird-loving home.

Their owner loved them very much and due to life changes, she was forced to find a safe place while they find their forever home. ALOT of time and energy into their well-being is very apparent with these two!

You must complete an application to be considered:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBUcgwT1JS9e-B94xbSLMCbRDtm1D2gSLUHuxePMq0wooHUQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

12/14/2024

At least these didn't draw blood 🤣

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/XqPSqRtkwd7vmkpd/?mibextid=wwXIfr