Nov 262011
 

The World Parrot Refuge parrots are painting!

Parrots paint with panache at Coombs refuge by Judith Lavoie:

“Every painting will be different. They are so imaginative,” Wendy Huntbatch said enthusiastically after the first art trial. “I think the cockatoos are going to be the best artists.”

The paintings, on stretched canvas, will be sold at the Parrot Refuge and each one will be personally signed, with a footprint, by the bird artist.

Group painting sessions tended to get a little hairy — or feathery — with paint splattering in all directions and no defined artist for each piece, so staff are restricting art classes to two birds at a time.

“They are doing amazing work,” said supervisor-turned-art-teacher Stephanie Martin.

Bailey and Peaches, umbrella cockatoos, favoured reds and yellows with impressionist influences.

“Bailey is using her tail so her paintings feature a sweeping effect — sort of feathering. Then she slides on it,” Martin said.

“Peaches uses the brushes to throw the paint on the canvas.”

Nicky and Sidney, Moluccan cockatoos with pink feathers, preferred the blue and green combinations.

“Most of it is fingerpainting, rather than brushwork. It is pretty abstract and everyone has their own version of what they see,” Martin said.

Volunteers are looking forward to exploring the individual talents of their favourite birds and there are great hopes for the abilities of the African greys, she said.

Baths have to follow painting lessons, even though the paint is non-toxic, Martin said.

“And after bath time they like to be blow-dried. They want the full salon treatment,” she said.

For many more photos of the artists at work, please click here.

Each unique parrot painting is $75, plus shipping. Shipping will be added to your order when the painting is shipped. Our cart is secure, so your information is safe.

 

For more information, please contact Wendy at wendy.huntbatch@floprs.org .

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Each unique parrot painting is $75, plus shipping. Shipping will be added to your order when the painting is shipped. Our cart is secure, so your information is safe.

 

For more information, please contact Wendy at wendy.huntbatch@floprs.org .

So far we have 8 paintings completed – they seem to average 4 per day – it is hard work and requires a lot of polly concentration! We will have volunteers here again to assist our artists and hand the loaded brushes to them. The Parrot Art gallery will be open as long as we have paintings available.

 

World Animal Day is being celebrated at the Refuge Sunday, October 2nd  from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Please mark it on your calendar and make sure to join us for a day of family fun paying tribute to all animals.

There will be educational tours of the Refuge and a mouth-watering Vegan buffet catered by the delicious Paradise Noodle House. These fabulous folks also catered the Compassion event. It will be a fundraising buffet, with proceeds being donated to the Refuge.


There will be face painting and the opportunity to virtually adopt a parrot from the Refuge. You’ll be able to meet the parrot and have your photo taken with your new buddy! You’ll also have the opportunity to learn about your feathered friend and find out why parrots do not make suitable pets.

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Sheila Presenting Wendy with the Shining World Compassion Award

Sheila Presenting Wendy with the Shining World Compassion Award

On Sunday, June 5, 2011, Wendy Huntbatch and the World Parrot Refuge received the Shining World Compassion Award and a $20,000 donation from Supreme Master Ching Hai. As Sydney the Cockatoo watched from Wendy’s shoulder, representative Sheila Coodin presented Wendy with a framed letter, in which the Supreme Master Ching Hai wrote:

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May 102011
 

The wonderful students at Diamond Elementary held a special fundraiser in order to sponsor Sassie, the Blue and Gold Macaw. They raised $520 – enough to fully sponsor Sassie for a whole year! Their class teacher is Ms. Howard, who personally sponsors Ewok the Amazon and Iggy the Moluccan cockatoo. What a creative way to teach children about both parrots and giving back to one’s community! The coloured parrots are so fun, and the enthusiasm of the children is palpable.

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UPDATE:

We would like to thank everyone who submitted poems! We were very touched by the effort that everyone put into this. All the poems were  so heartfelt, and captured beautifully the mission of the refuge.

The poem we chose to submit with our application was written by Micki Findlay:

If Given The Chance

If given the chance, this is what I would say
I never once asked to be caged that way
Not captured, nor tethered or sold for a fee
All I wanted was simply the chance to fly free

You tired of me quickly; all nurture denied
You abused and ignored me, then tossed me aside
But since I was rescued, I live out each day
In a refuge of love where forever I’ll stay

Continue reading »

Nov 082010
 

Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud has introduced amendments to The Animal Protection Act, 1999.

The proposed amendments to the Act include increasing the maximum fine level for animal abuse to $25,000 for each convicted offence. The current court imposed fines are a maximum of $5,000 for a first offence and $10,000 for second and subsequent offences. The new legislation also proposes increasing the imprisonment period from the current maximum of six months to a maximum of two years for those convicted of animal abuse.

“Our government is committed to a high standard of animal health and welfare in Saskatchewan,” Bjornerud said. “While we know the vast majority of owners do provide the necessary care for their animals, these proposed changes will help to reduce the number of animal neglect cases in Saskatchewan.”

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Nov 072010
 

UPDATE: Congratulations to Gary F. who won this amazing quilt! Thank you to everyone who supported us in this draw.

One of our supporters has generously donated a hand-made, one-of-a-kind quilt and is offering it as a prize in a raffle she is running in support of the World Parrot Refuge! We are very grateful to Bev for her continued love and support of the parrots in our care. The quilt was lovingly made by Bev’s sister, Gloria Bucci, and we think you’ll agree that it is a work of art!

Donate and you could win this quilt.

The ticket prices are donations to the parrots of the refuge: for a $5 donation to the World Parrot Refuge, you will get your name put once into the draw barrel. If you donate $12, you will get your name put in three times! If you donate $24, you’ll get your name put in 6 times.

If you are interested in a chance to win this amazing quilt and help the parrots at the same time, please go to Bev’s World Parrot Refuge Quilt Raffle site here. Please note that in order to be put into the draw, you must purchase the tickets from the quilt site. You can also see more photos of the quilt on the site as well.

The lucky winner will be drawn December 25th, 2010! Anyone can win, wherever in the world you may live. The winner will receive the quilt and two matching pillow shams.

 

Big news! The Calgary Parrot Club has voted to become a Compassion Based Bird/Parrot Club. This is (most likely) the first ever parrot club to do so. It has taken a year of behind-the-scenes work and discussion, but it is now official.

Gloria Fantin, President of the Calgary Parrot Club states, “We are excited to be one of the first, if not the first parrot club in Canada, to become a Compassion Based Bird Club. Our membership voted unanimously on this great step forward after being a traditional bird club for 21 years!”

And as Wendy so accurately says, “Every day brings a positive change for parrots – most times just one parrot at a time – but definitely we are going in the right direction.”

What wonderful news for parrots!

To read the Objectives, please click here:

Continue reading »

Sep 062010
 

The Coast 91.7 CKAY FM

Love riding your motorcycle?  Love birds?  Then check this out: a local man has decided to combine his love of riding and his love of animals to help support the parrots at the refuge! This Ride Is For the Birds is a fundraiser motorcycle ride set for September 19, 2010.  Radio support is being donated by The Coast 91.7 CKAY FM.

Robert has been active in animal welfare for many years, including working in shelters and serving time on the SPCA council (chairman) in Nanaimo and doing rescue work in Ladysmith. He has also helped other societies like the Animal Advocates and the Humane Society.  Now, he has turned his heart to the parrots!

He says, “When I found out that the Parrot Refuge had run into difficult times, I decided I’d try and help. Having been riding motorcycles for many years, the idea of putting on a Ride for the Birds came naturally.”

We are thrilled and so grateful! If you would like to join Robert in this fundraiser, details are after the link:

Continue reading »

Music from the Heart

 Posted by Cheryl at 4:04 pm  No Responses »
Mar 272010
 

On March 3rd, the World Parrot Refuge was the recipient of a wonderful benefit concert orchestrated by Toronto singer-songwriter, Lindi Ortega.  Lindi is an avid supporter of the Refuge, and organized the benefit which featured many talented and generous local musicians.  Wendy was invited to attend, and she returned with rave reviews and wonderful memories.

From Wendy:

The Benefit Concert was amazing.  The people involved are all professional singer/songwriters and/or bands.  They donated their time and work to raise funds for the Parrot Refuge – and they didn’t even know who we were.  John, the sound guy, worked all night – he is brilliant.  The room at the Supermarket was donated by the owners for the concert.  I just cannot get over how much was done by these people because they care for other living beings. 

The location will be in my memory for years.  It was like being transported back to the Hippie Era.  The whole street was definitely ‘different’.  It was way after 2am when I left, and the streets were full of people.  Coombs closes everything at 9pm!

The concert raised a fantastic $625.  Lindi worked so hard to get this organized, and believe me:  it went as smooth as cream – not even one hitch.  We even have a new contact who will be a halfway house for surrendered parrots in the Toronto area.  This concert has opened the eyes of many and has given us more exposure than we could have dreamed of.  And we have Lindi as a friend and supporter for life.  She is a true parrot person.

The World Parrot Refuge would like to sincerely thank Lindi and her friends, The Supermarket, and everyone else who helped make this such a special evening.  And for all music fans out there, do take a moment to check these musicians out.  They are all wonderful, talented, good-hearted people!

Sara Kamin
Mandipaal Jandu
The FrameWork
Emma-Lee
The Donefors
Dylan Murray
Lindi Ortega

The Supermarket, Toronto

Thank you all, so much!

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