In the early summer of 2006, a guest moving furniture out of Lily Kempf's home left the side door open just long enough for her beloved Iggy to make an escape into rural Virginia.  Iggy had freed himself but was in great danger.  Danger from predators such as the hawk and in danger of not being able to find a reliable food and water supply.  Thankfully it was not winter.  All of Lily's attempts to find Iggy came up empty. 

Meanwhile, Iggy found himself many miles away in a new County - in search of something that looked familiar to him.  He found a neighborhood with people congregated around a swimming pool.  It is there he found his new family.  Without hesitation, Iggy came to the new people and they took him in and provided for him.  The new family liked the idea of having a parrot - Iggy sang, danced, and frequently vocalized "Gimme Cookie?".  The reality of truly caring for a parrot and properly meeting their needs set in after about 6 months.  It was at this time that Iggy's new family, not knowing his real name and now calling him "Cookie", sought our Behavior Assistance.  They were not quite ready to give up on Cookie and we were not quite ready to give up on Cookie either.  The new family tried to work through Cookie's frequent and loud vocalizations but in the end could not handle it anymore.  Three months later we got a call back that life with a parrot is not what they expected it would be and they discovered they are just not bird people.  Cookie came to our Rescue after spending only 9 months with his new family. 

Iggy at the rescue - 2007

Iggy's Adventure

"Cookie" spent only a couple weeks at Project Perry.  In that short time he not only touched my heart but he touched most of the visitor's and volunteer's hearts too - along with some really nice bites!  He got lots of attention here and changed his mind pretty frequently about which person was his favorite person of the hour.  He is a bundle of high energy with an unforgettable "personality".  Something was not right.  Given the circumstances that the new family acquired this bird plus the clear indication that someone once loved this bird to pieces and was treated great just did not sit right with me.  Someone had to have been searching for this little guy nearly a year ago.  My gut instinct led me to do some research on the Parrot911 group - an online group that provides information for lost and found companion birds.  I found a May 2006 listing in which a Blue Crown Conure named Iggy went missing from the Central Virginia area.  After sending out a batch of emails, I had one response from someone who may be able to get the old guardian in contact with me.

The next morning I made contact with a woman named Lily.  When trying to establish whether or not this bird was really her Iggy, I asked her to tell me all about Iggy including all of his vocalizations and "phrases".  Everything matched up 100% - I had her Iggy here - it was an emotional moment to say the least.  I couldn't wait to reunite her and Iggy so I drove a few hours to bring Iggy back home that afternoon. 

A story like this is a wonderful example of things happening for a reason, or fate as many call it.  Is Iggy a miracle bird or was he just on a nine-month adventure that brought him through the wilderness and into people's homes to touch their lives?  I'll never forget you Iggy and I'll miss you but you're back in your real home now. 

sometimes HOPE is all we have

Iggy and Lily - reunited after nearly a year apart

Hi Matt,

Thank you SO very much for bringing Iggy home, he's here with me now, and still I find it hard to believe!

-Lily