Doubtless, there was once a time when Chi Chi, Military Macaw, was very much loved and wanted. Just over a month ago, she came to board at the Refuge as she usually did while her human flock went on vacation. However, something was wrong with Chi Chi this time. It was immediately apparent that she was suffering terribly. Her right hip was grossly swollen, and it looked as though her femur had dislocated from the hip joint and was sitting on top of it. Another large swelling suggested that there was also a break in the femur itself. For three months, her family had noticed her holding her leg up all the time, but had dismissed the swelling and discomfort as arthritis.

Chi Chi's family was warned that she would need to attend a vet immediately for treatment. The initial estimate was that the treatment would come in at around $1000. The family said they'd be in touch and would reimburse the refuge when reclaiming the bird. So, Chi Chi was left in our care, and immediately sent by air to the Night Owl Bird Hospital in Vancouver. She was in so much pain and so exhausted that the vet, Dr Anne MacDonald, decided to do everything in her power to relieve her pain, before putting her through the further trauma of blood tests and x-rays.

Finally, the X-rays showed that the swelling was far more ominous than it had appeared. The biopsy revealed that Chi Chi had osteosarcoma (bone cancer). As we were responsible for her health, we gave Dr MacDonald and the Night Owl Bird Hospital team the approval to go ahead, and operate to amputate the leg, which had already been left untreated for a dangerously long time. Dr MacDonald did a further biopsy to ensure that all the cancerous tissue had been removed, as we wanted to avoid chemotherapy for Chi Chi unless absolutely necessary. To give her the best possible chance, Dr MacDonald kept her at the hospital while doing everything to improve her physical condition.

Chi Chi was shipped back to the Refuge on June 9, 2007, on a float plane operated by Baxter Air between downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo. The pilot was aware of the condition of his very special passenger and gave her first class treatment. When Chi Chi arrived back in Nanaimo, the Baxter Air staff requested to make the first donation towards the cost of her care and surgery, and they refused to allow us to pay for the ticket. Their compassion and generosity towards Chi Chi and her plight was incredible. We would like to add a special thanks to Baxter Air, the pilot, and the staff who helped us out that day.

It has now been six weeks since Chi Chi was left in our care. We have opened our hearts and the Refuge to her, and she has found a home for life with us.

When we take on a parrot's care, whether as a long-term resident or a boarder, we take that duty of care very seriously. Chi Chi required immediate help, so we had to follow through with the veterinary care that we had warned Chi Chi's family about. Dr MacDonald was extremely generous and charged the bare minimum for such an intricate surgery that required two veterinarians, as well as for all the blood tests, biopsies, X-rays and intensive care for one month. We are indebted to Dr Anne MacDonald and her team for giving so much of themselves to help Chi Chi.

Dr MacDonald has always been a staunch supporter of our Refuge, has often worked for free, accommodated many of our ill birds in her hospital, allowed her wonderful staff look after them, and helped to raise money for the Refuge. While she has waived every expense possible to do this life-saving surgery, we are still in her debt for $2000, much lower than the typical bill for this kind of surgery (which would have been more like $5000!).

At the Refuge, we find ourselves in exciting and challenging times. Previously owned pet parrots are arriving daily. We are dealing with staff shortages, and difficulties with finding enough loving volunteers willing to commit their time, even one morning or afternoon a week. Existing staff and volunteers are stretched thin and several people have been very ill with the extra demands. The costs of caring for, feeding, cleaning, sheltering, giving medical care and offering refuge to so many birds (over 600 at last count) is staggering. Only some 40 of those birds are fully supported! With your support, we are working together to keep these birds surrounded by love, comfort and in the good health they deserve.

We hope that some kind donors could find a way to help to contribute to Chi-Chi's care, or indeed, could virtually adopt one of the many birds on our adoption pages. A few are listed on our Virtual Adoption pages, and there are so many more waiting for a sponsor. Any amount you can spare would make a difference to us right now. If 200 kind folk could give $10, Chi-Chi's bill would be taken care of. If 12 people got together and contributed $42 each per year, they would be the proud sponsors of a happy Refuge parrot.

Visit our Donations Page for different donation options. Please remember that donations of your time are especially welcomed. We also need donations of fruits, vegetables, nuts, towels, bedding, medical supplies, and toys for the parrots!

Please click on the thumbnails below to learn how you can help some special birds have a home for life through our "Virtual Adoption" program! More stories coming soon!

Birds who are now partly sponsored, thank you!

Birds who are now fully sponsored, thank you!

"This is, in a word, a great place and these miraculous creatures deserve no less, but few places can deliver it this well. It is, indeed, 'world class'."

– Stewart Metz (author and Director of the Indonesian Parrot Project), after his visit at the Grand Opening of the Refuge on August 13, 2005.

"The World Parrot Refuge is a true sanctuary where parrots live out their lives in a loving, spacious and happy environment under the guidance of extraordinarily caring people. The many visitors destined to pass through the refuge will come to understand that parrots are not toys or trophies, but beings with needs and emotions as real as our own."

– Rosemary Low (author of more than 30 books on parrots)