In my experiences, I witnessed a cockatoo with an injured eye. Her caretaker, even though they received free veterinarian care, treated the eye with ointment, but never took the bird to be examined by a vet. Fortunately, I was able to take the bird to the vet I was seeing, and she wrote an evaluation for the other vet, recommending enucleation. This was done, and the parrot lived the rest of her life with me.

In another instance, an Amazon was surrendered to a rescue because the bird needed medical care that they could not afford. Unfortunately, this medical care was not provided.

This was the end of my association with this other rescue, and the start of Ruffled Feathers Parrot Sanctuary. I wanted to create a space that provided the best care for parrots in need.

The cockatoo who had her eye removed developed cancer, and she entered a course of chemotherapy, but her life could not be saved.

Currently at the sanctuary is a female Umbrella cockatoo who has two leaky heart valves. We visit her cardiologist every 6 to 9 months. When she was surrendered by her people, I told them that I would take care of her, and I intend to stand by that pledge.

Each of her visits costs between $1200.00 to $1400.00,