UPDATE: Cruiser has been virtually adopted by Michael F. of California. When we told Crusier, he was so happy he was calling out loud – and you can imagine how loud he can be! Michael was very touched by Cruiser’s story. Thank you so much, Michael!
About 10 years ago, we heard about a breeder of Eclectus parrots who reportedly was not as caring as one would hope. During an investigative visit on the pretext of purchasing a baby Eclectus, Horst came upon a male in a 20” x 20” cage on the floor of the man’s garage. The breeder readily furnished information that the bird was intended for breeding purposes, and would be used as soon as he had the right female available. The Eclectus had been waiting in this empty cage – with only seed and water – for almost 5 years. His only company was the family car. In an area of Canada where the summers are very hot and the winters, very cold, the concrete floor under the cage had caused much distress for this poor bird. After much discussion, we purchased him to relieve him from any further suffering. Watching him scurry across the floor after anything that moved was a delight, knowing that he had sat in just one place for so many years. We named him Cruiser. He soon made friends with Java, a female Eclectus, and they spend all their days together. As a result of his earlier incarceration, Cruiser suffers from arthritis and cannot grip a perch very well. The greatest danger for Cruiser is that he could seriously damage himself with a fall onto the floor. We couldn’t put him into a cage again, however, as this would stress him terribly. The solution was to build a specially raised floor in the large compound that Cruiser and Java occupy in the Judy Langille Wellness Centre. They have lots of room to scurry around, lots of perches running just above their special ground level, and a sliding glass window that leads to their own summer patio for those warmer days. Cruiser has benefited greatly from regular application of a non-scented arthritis ointment that does not change his skin temperature. Combined with regular bathing, a good diet and vitamins, his overall wellbeing has greatly improved and he no longer rips his feathers out. Although Cruiser’s mobility has been affected by the cruel conditions he was once kept in, by someone who saw him only as a money machine, he is surrounded by love and care, and his quality of life has much improved since his arrival at the refuge. It takes time to get close to him, but like any gentleman, Cruiser is a real charmer and very affectionate with his kisses.
i might be 13 but that owner is cruel to such a awesome bird. I might adopt it and my house is way too big so i get lonely.
whoops i forgot about to add something to the sentence on my corrct spelling i meant to virtually adopt the bird and help.
ive been reading the conditions that some of these birds have come from, and some have been pretty horrible, and cruiser has especially tugged at my heart and im not even a bird person per say, im a dog person…however i love ALL animals as a whole..im impressed with your refuge and quite happy to see the wonderful way each bird responds to the care and affection and attention they recieve in your care. that just goes to show on a small scale how the downed spirit can rebuild with love and care from people who genuinely care…a lesson can be learned in our HUMAN society..my hats off to you all!
I am already in love with cruiser i think he is a sweet heart… His story really hits home with me i adopted — rescued a 5 and a half year old mitred conure that when i came over to pick him up he was in a garage i guess for the day but was in a room, real small cage with a big dog and no toys for a long while i was he 3rd home in 5 and a half years and i still have him he is 12 years old now and we are doing great… i have 30 birds and i know wut it takes to rescue a bird of course not as many as you folks do .. thankyou for sharing cruisers story with me GOD BLESS…
Ignorance is mens worst crime, Cruiser was a victim. Nothing can talk good what that man did to him, nothing! But all good wishes, love and thoughts go to the people at World Parrot Refuge who help not only Cruiser, but all his flying friends too.
I bow to ye and pray if I can only be half as good…
Deanne (aka Silver)
Silvers Ferret & Exotic Bird Sanctuary
Ireland
I have an Eclectus rescue. I know what it means to have a bird that was not treated the best. My Eclectus came to me with many broken feathers from being kept in a cage that was way too small. He is now thriving in the cadillac of cages and has learned to enjoy human touch. With patience he has learned many new things.
I would like to sponsor Cruiser. Please tell me what I must do.
Anita
Are there any parrots or cockatoos up for adoption at this date, March 14, 2010?
Also, we would like to visit during our next trip to BC in the beginning of August 2010.