Rhode Island Parrot Rescue, Maine Branch

Donation protected

Rhode Island Parrot Rescue is opening a branch in Maine and we could use your help to finish this project.

Why help parrots? Parrots are incredibly intelligent. This isn't bias; there are studies. Sadly, they have been taken from the wild, bred, and forced to live in captivity. Large chain pet stores all over Maine sell parrots to people who often don't realize the level of commitment they require. Because of this, parrots are often passed around from home to home, and if they're lucky, they land in a place like Rhode Island Parrot Rescue.

What makes Rhode Island Parrot Rescue (RIPR) so great? RIPR understands that parrots are wild animals and not domesticated pets. Even being bred in captivity, most parrots are only a few generations removed from the wild. Some parrots that have come through the rescue were taken from the wild and forced into captivity. With this understanding, RIPR is able to offer specialized care to these animals.

What does specialized care look like? Vet care with a board-certified avian vet whose clinic can provide advanced care like cardiology; diets that consist of fresh produce and pellets; supplementation depending on a bird's specific needs and bloodwork; top-notch enrichment and training; training of volunteers to provide all of the above.

What about adoptions? RIPR strives to find every parrot a home, and not just any home, a home that will hopefully be their last. The adoption program involves multiple visits to the rescue and an extensive online training program. RIPR has also created a community for folks to stay connected post-adoption to share questions, get tips, or just to share updates.

Who is spearheading this? Corrie, Jess, Marisa, and Anthony.

Corrie is the Executive Director of Rhode Island Parrot Rescue. For more than ten years, Corrie has dedicated her life to the parrots at RIPR and has grown the organization into what it is today.
Marisa and Jess adopted their Cape Parrot, Archie, from RIPR in 2020. After seeing the important work they were doing, they stayed involved with the organization, driving down when they could to volunteer. They knew there was a need for a rescue like this in Maine and started planning more than a year ago. They share a home with eight parrots.
Anthony is a close friend of Marisa and Jess. He has spent time volunteering with parrot organizations in South America and is passionate about providing high-quality care to these captive animals. He shares a home with four parrots, including his Hahn's Macaw, Bonnie, who was adopted from RIPR.

What is the vision for the Maine Branch? By modeling the same practices RIPR has put into place, we hope to grow a program in Maine that focuses on rehabilitation, education, and adoption of these magnificent creatures. We will start off with an adoption and volunteer program. Once we establish ourselves in Maine, we hope to find a larger facility to move into. When that happens, our goal is to have the garage become a sanctuary setting for older parrots with medical needs.

What have we done and where will your money go? So far, we have added two state-of-the-art heat pumps to the upstairs and downstairs of the garage. The electricity has been updated to support those heat pumps. The garage has been insulated, sheetrocked, and FRP panels have gone up downstairs. To finish the space and move the birds from Rhode Island, we need to complete two main tasks: first, replace the garage door with French doors, and second, add an external vestibule for an extra layer of safety. Additionally, the downstairs ceiling needs to be purchased and installed.