One of the things we need most here at Project Perry, are legit, hardworking, bird loving volunteers. Horses too is a bonus! HA! We have had quite a few volunteers who came in the more recent times that made us wonder WTH we are doing. HAHA!
In the case of an emergency, like a bird emergency, we’re covered. The issue is a family emergency that needs to pull us away from responsibilites at the sanctuary more than one day. Especially for me as my parents are 1,500 miles away. I dread the day that anything happens to them, but this life is only temporary, and things can happen as our loved ones get older.
So, what we need are close, local volunteers we can train and “refresh” at least once a month. Twice would be even better but once would be great.
Do you have availability to help here at the sanctuary at least once a week? We are trying to create a volunteer contact list so in the case of an emergency, we’re able to schedule volunteers to work and cover for us. Background checks are mandatory. You will be in our home after all. We’ve had plenty of loony tunes here …and we’re not talking Bugs Bunny.
The people we’ve been through is astounding. I said I’d be sharing stories through the blog so let’s start with a few examples of what we are NOT looking for. Being a volunteer here with living, breathing creatures, is a big responsibility. It must be taken seriously.
^^^^ 📖 A short story time 📖 ^^^^
Let’s do two stories for this blog:
My goodness. I remember a time when Matt went away for a week and a half with some of his family. During that time, I ran the sanctuary pretty much on my own with only a few months of training. It was hotter than hell in May with some weird system off the coast making it feel more like mid-July. I ended up making 3 trips to the veterinarian in Northern Virginia during his time away. One trip was for one of the first birds I helped get here to the sanctuary. She had started to show signs of organ failure. I had two “volunteers” here with me that morning. They were about as useful as tits on a bull that morning. I told one young lady to get her car, get the A/C on, and be ready in 5 minutes to hit the road for an emergency vet run. After gently grabbing this precious wild caught parrot from the aviary, I made my way to the house where the girl I told to be ready, was sitting Indian style in the middle of the room chit chatting with the other volunteer who was dicking around “working”. I simply said, “I gotta go, and you need to call me every hour on the hour to let me know that the aviary fans are running properly!” It was in the lower 90s which is insane for the month of May. Especially in the beginning of the month. The fans are crucial for the well-being of the parrots on hot days. They must be monitored in case of a failure. I ended up hitting the road and driving warp 8 to the veterinarian’s office.
Sadly, the parrot’s organs failed, and I pushed through mostly alone through the agonizing pain of loss for the rest of the time Matt was away. Her doctor called after the necropsy was finished and let me know how amazed he was based what he saw with her heart and organs, that she lived as long as she had. Apparently, she really loved her life here at the sanctuary. I still think of her often. Her photo hangs on the stairway wall where I can see her daily.
Another fabulous volunteer who was up my butt to come here and help, finally arrived to help once I was able to make the time to train her properly. She walks in and the first thing she says is, “Hi, I’m _________. I’m a vegan.” Ok, who cares. I don’t. Seriously, eat what you want. Goodness. She had no interest what-so-ever in helping either. She just wanted to walk around and “see” what we are doing here and asking ridiculous questions in a rude know it all tone of voice like: “why isn’t this bird in the aviary? It’s cruel to have her in a cage.” Yeah, ok, dingus, she’s a blind bird as I told you when I introduced you to her. Let’s put her in the big aviaries where she will most likely wonder into someone’s territory and be harmed. Not to mention finding food and water. Yes, PLLLEASE come to our sanctuary and tell us what we should do and how we should do it. Please be certain that you bring photos of your well established, successfully run sanctuary so I can take your hair brained suggestions seriously. I mean seriously, who does that? Countless people showing up and TELLING us what we should be doing, and how we should do it, versus coming to learn. Does it look like we just started this sanctuary last week?
^^^^ 📖 End of today’s story time 📖 ^^^^
My goodness, there are so many stories to share. My time is so limited with all the work for the birds, and now horses… I’d have it no other way. I love my life here at Project Perry.
If you are interested in volunteering once a month at least and willing to be available in the case of an emergency, please let me know! We have a wonderful time here. Just be ready to take it seriously. There are about 200 heartbeats here who rely on us for their food, safety, happiness. It’s not something to enter lightly.
These story times are going to be fun in a way. Sharing the things we go through here are important. Especially since it has helped us in many of the decisions we have made to remain the successful sanctuary we are here at Project Perry! Soooo much to share over time.
Now horses too…? What are we thinking. HAHAHA!
-Kirah
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