Edenvale bird rehabilitation centre desperate to keep its doors open

Non-profit organisation (NPO) Brainy Birds Parrot Rescue and Rehabilitation in Edenvale has appealed to the community for assistance and support to allow it to continue helping our feathered friends in need.

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With the pandemic affecting everyone financially, no one is feeling it more than organisations reliant on donations from the public.

Founded by Dee Hendrickx, in 2014, the non-profit organisation hopes to rehome, rehabilitate and care for abused birds.
Monique Janse van Vuuren, who has volunteered at the organisation for over a year, said it cares for 250 parrots of various species.

Volunteers are expected to provide birds with clean water and fresh food, cleaning cages, providing toys to the birds and transporting to the vet when they are ill.

“As you go to each bird’s cage while feeding or cleaning, you get to know them a little,” said Monique.

“You can like a certain parrot and want to befriend them, but parrots choose you, not the other way around. If the parrot likes you for some reason, they will come to you.”

Monique emphasised that parrots cannot be forced to love somebody and can become aggressive if this is done.
“The people working and volunteering there are great, you learn so much every time you go there.”

Monique said on each visit her knowledge of the sanctuary’s upkeep, parrot species and the birds’ requirements grow.
She said those who work with the organisation have passion and respect for the parrots.

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Besides providing care to birds in need, the organisation gives educational talks to schools and companies about the upkeep of birds.
It also offers services such as clipping of wings and nails and beak trimming.
As an NPO, Brainy Birds is reliant on donations from the public to keep their doors open.
Funds donated by the public is used for the upkeep of the property, purchasing food and paying veterinary bills.
“In recent years, apart from the rescues that come through our doors, we have seen an increase in the number of abandoned and surrendered birds,” said Monique.

“While we are grateful we can provide a place of safety with the appropriate care, this increased intake puts a tremendous strain on our finances.”
Some of the most common reasons for the surrendering of birds includes not being financially secure enough or being unable to care for them.

Since founded, the NPO has grown from strength to strength, rehoming an approximate 1 000 birds.

“We constantly expand and our costs increase dramatically,” said Monique.

“With the yearly influx of new rescues, we need to build more flight aviaries and acquire more log cabins.”
Monique explained that under normal circumstances the NPO hosts and is invited to fund-raisers throughout the year.

However, this has not been the case in 2020.

With the current global pandemic and current regulations in place, the NPO has been unable to host fund-raising events.
To learn how you can assist the NPO to care for birds in need visit its website or Facebook page.