A Refuge for Saving the Wildlife

12/12/2024

01/13/2023

01/03/2023

12/27/2022

12/24/2022

For those of you who’ve been with the Refuge from the early days, you might remember Harley, a Moluccan Cockatoo who came to the Refuge before we were officially a rescue. A coworker wanted a bird. I found a bird and he asked if I’d go with him. We went and met Harley, a large and very skittish bird. We took him home and when we got inside, my coworker decided he didn’t want him. Of course I couldn’t bring him back so I kept him. He never warmed up to me but he allowed me to pick him up and take him out and put him back in to his cage. Not long after, I took in two female Moluccan Cockatoos (PJ & Peaches) in need of a home. While these two girls were very bonded, PJ shared Peaches with Harley and all was fine. That was until Peaches passed away. Harley was lost and so was PJ. Harley never recovered and that was when I decided to find a home for him where he might have a better chance at finding a new friend. As luck would have it, my friend from Mollywood, Betsy had room for him. Harley lived out there, surrounded by so many wonderful Cockatoos. Under the care of Betsy, he loved and lived a happy life. Harley passed away surrounded by a loving family! Fly free Harley, Peaches will be there to greet you, my friend.

12/19/2022

Little bird, big mess! Gaffy, looking proud of his chewing skills 🤣 (make sure to click on the picture so you can see his mess on the floor)

10/19/2022

Good morning everyone! We hope you are all doing well. We’ve entered a raffle through Autohaus on Edens; it’s very simple to help us win. Please visit:

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwoobox.com%2Frcwo33%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3exGOVuwb_UmgAe7pkVeBXqe8JIY0M0q_5jYsFAOjvTfC1PAqIEWjoFGY&h=AT18cNVqxeVbpg6hJgGxAikPT_NmG496VT_4Ocx0eUZb6tz5iiqL7Iah92o0ThEbLelIXtKVmDA7PlWTiCnT5rMArN85nsFNSIsjKmNwJ6l1dX1Fvm0oPZEVhUt-&s=1

once a day to vote for us. Every vote counts so please have your friends and family vote too! Thanks for helping us.

Every month Autohaus on Edens will be hosting the "Autohaus Helps" charity contest to support local organizations.

10/16/2022

One of our adorable boarders, Pixel, jamming to the tunes!

09/04/2022

Gaffy, having some fun today while I cleaned his cage. He’s a busy guy, so it was hard to keep the camera on him 🤣 - Erica

06/30/2022

Exotic Animal Prohibition Alert – Act Before July 4th!

Update to the America COMPETES Act. This legislation includes an amendment to the Lacey Act, that is passed, could seriously impact your ability to travel interstate with your pets (anything other than cats/dogs).

The bill has moved to committee where legislators are voting on what will remain and become law. As an animal shelter for exotics we support some of the bill, but we are vehemently opposed to the Lacey Act amendment which will have a serious negative impact on our ability to properly care for our animals. They snuck this amendment in hoping to get it passed without much resistance. It’s more important than ever to let your voice be heard to prevent this amendment from becoming law. Follow this link to let your voice be heard: https://usark.org/alert/. For more information on the Act, follow this link: https://usark.org/2022lacey/.

06/12/2022

This is a follow up to our post about the abandoned African Grey we rescued in the forest preserves in Gurnee, Illinois two weeks ago. Despite our best efforts and intentions, the organization holding the bird surrendered the bird to another rescue. When I was trying to make arrangements to get the bird, I did feel I was getting the runaround from them when trying to work out the details. We had asked if they were willing to take the bird to Niles Animal Hospital and Bird Medical Center for us and we’d pay for all of the disease testing that we require. Then, take him back to their facility to await for the results. They told me they couldn’t leave Lake County. I said I would pick up the bird, bring it to the vet, and return it to them to await for the disease test results. They had to ask their supervisor. I was told I needed to talk to someone else who was on vacation. I contacted the Police department to see if they could intervene to determine how to make this work. Several days later, I’m told the bird was given to another rescue. I really don’t know what to say. Sometimes the path of least resistance is too easy to traverse, foregoing doing the right thing. Sounds like the same thing the person who abandoned him there thought. For those of you that donated to help offset the costs, thanks. I’ll return your checks or tear them up, your choice, just email me at: [email protected] and let me know.

05/29/2022

Zachary - 05.26.22

Wow, where do I begin to describe the excruciating grief and sadness Karen Rae Weiner and I are experiencing? Once again, we’ve been tasked with caring for and helping to end the pain and suffering of our beloved Zachary who fought an incredible battle against lymphoma. Zachary came to the Refuge on April 27, 2004. Her “parronts” got her from a private party in 1982 making her at least 40 year’s old. Our guess is that she was closer to 50. She came in with Rosey (PJ’s girlfriend) and Freddie, a SCC2. Now, Rosey is the only surviving member of the three of them. Five years ago Zach became sick, lost weight and we thought we were going to lose her. She rallied and came back to her loving and feisty self. That lasted for a couple years until December, 2021 when she fell ill again. Because of her medicine regimen and the stress of being around all the other birds, we placed her in my office where it would be quieter and wouldn’t wake the other birds when she needed medication. She was my constant companion; whether I was working out or working on the computer. She dutifully rode on my shoulder and sometimes, on top of my head while I was on the treadmill. Lymphoma, was a death sentence. We had no idea how much time she had left with us, but we worked diligently to keep her as comfortable as possible. She was a real trooper, taking all her medications and fluids four times a day. Her weight fluctuated from a high of 263 grams to an all time low of 211. When she reached that low, we knew her body was beginning to shut down and it was time for her to go. That decision is never easy and feels way too soon. But, in our heads, we knew it was time, our hearts weren’t ready. Zachary left this world peacefully, in my arms, loved right up to the very end. Thank you Dr. Jamie Abete, Maria, Kori, Lionel, and everyone else for all you did to help out little girl, you all made this decision a little easier to bear. Fly free, little one, until we meet again!

05/15/2022

Tonight’s the night! Don’t forget to tune into the Entertainment (E!) to see our guardian Angel, Nikki Glaser’s visit to meet our feathered friends. 9 p.m. CST. Check your local listing for channel/time. If you miss it, you’ll be able to see it later on YouTube.

https://www.eonline.com/amp/news/1330875/nikki-glasers-avian-adventure-turns-out-to-be-for-the-birds-in-hilarious-sneak-peek

In E! News' exclusive sneak peek of this week's Welcome Home Nikki Glaser? episode, Nikki and the gang's day trip to a bird sanctuary isn't what they thought it would be.

05/01/2022

Don’t forget, tonight starts the series on E! starring our great friend, Nikki Glaser! The show’s called “Welcome Home Nikki Glaser”. Help us support this wonderful person who means so much to us.

04/22/2022

The Avian Flu has reached pet birds in Michigan. Read about it here: https://thesalinepost.com/g/saline-mi/n/75299/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-detected-washtenaw-county-domestic-parrots

The parrots at the residence had succumbed to the virus, and MDARD is working with the birds’ owners to finalize a flock plan, preventing further disease spread.

02/26/2022

Papua enjoying breakfast after being terrorized at the vet’s office. None the worse for it though.