The birds now own it all! (The additional 15 acres of the “old sanctuary property”) 

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From Matt: This summer we have been able to share some pretty awesome news about the Sanctuary and Its growth including the recent funding and start of construction of a new large aviary. We also promised to share a second great news story and the time to do that is now. Thirteen years ago when I made the trip back home to Virginia to start the dream of building a parrot sanctuary for birds in need, there wasn’t a penny to Project Perry’s name. Just a lot of self-determination, drive and a vision for what was to be. Therefore, I needed to put my own name and money to a land & home purchase with of course a mortgage loan. I needed to spend the next many years proving to people that this kind of work and the environments that have been created is enriching to the lives of our residents and valuable to the people who seek us out for help. Since the beginning, a major guiding force in our growth has been to plan for the Sanctuary’s long-term sustainability and perpetuity. Because parrots can live so long and because there’s a strong need for the work that we do, there’s no other way to plan and grow a Sanctuary – this place must be survivable beyond its current group of caregivers despite our young-ish ages. Several different key factors have been put in place in recent years to aid in the future-planning including a strengthened Board of Directors, a budget for committed live on-site staff members, my own large life insurance policy with Project Perry as the sole beneficiary should something unexpected happen to me and a stronger annual stream of funding to properly maintain and care for our population of 230. All that was left was for Project Perry to own all of the land and structures.

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Through two more years of very generous grants from Bob Barker’s DJ&T Foundation and through our own efforts of good ol’ fashioned saving up, we can now announce that on August 22nd, it finally happened! Project Perry purchased the property from myself for the remaining amount left on the mortgage note and nothing more (no “profit” was made in the sale). The birds now own all 27 acres including every structure on it. No one person is tied financially to the property and there can never be a dispute of ownership or property usage and continuance. It’s all outlined clearly that this is to always be a Sanctuary for the birds along with those who have dedicated their lives to caring for them.

Please join us in celebrating a major milestone in the growth and perpetuity of this very special place and our commitment to doing the very best job that we can, all for the love of the birds. I also want to thank Charlottesville real estate attorney Chip Royer for his incredibly generous offer to conduct this transaction professionally and skillfully to insure everything has been done legally and properly. Chip has been fantastic throughout the entire process. Also, to Bob Baker and his Foundation for giving amounts that would have otherwise been difficult to raise in a relatively short amount of time as has been done to make this step a reality – he is very special to us. Lastly, to Kirah and Caitlin who work so hard on a daily basis alongside me in the direct care and commitment to the Sanctuary’s operations. Thank you everyone who have helped this place along throughout the years, it means a great deal to me and most of all - to the birds! 

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-Matt-

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From Kirah: some of the residents “beaking” a copy of THEIR House/Land Deed which was sent to Bob Barker!!!