Mickaboo is truly a "labor of love" - and it is all for the benefit of the many hundreds of needy (many of them desperate) birds taken in for care.
I have had the pleasure of being a Mickaboo volunteer for over 15 years, ever since I became a licensed vet tech and started working at a bird and reptile hospital in the SF Bay area.
Over these many years, I have fostered birds for Mickaboo, taught basic bird care classes, gone on "missions" to pull birds out of hoarding/abandonment situations, and helped evaluate potential adopters. I have also adopted many parrots and finches from Mickaboo.
I have done, and continue to do, all this because I am so impressed with the expertise, commitment and high standards of the people who pour their time and love into this organization. Mickaboo is entirely run by unpaid volunteers - hundreds and thousands of hours of work done with not only no compensation, but in fact often out of our own pockets. All our birds are housed with qualified volunteers, ensuring they receive appropropriate care and assessment.
We are blessed with volunteers who often have very high professional skills - avian husbandry and behavior, computer systems, management, public relations - and since Mickaboo is entirely funded by donations there is no way we could afford to pay for the work done by these amazing people.
Many of the birds we take in need medical care - Mickaboo is committed to ensuring that they get excellent veterinary care by experienced avian specialists.
Mickaboo has a careful process of screening and educating potential adopters - we want the adoptive home to be a permanent success for both the bird and the human adopters.
I am proud to be part of the Mickaboo "family" supporting this nonprofit of the highest standards - and much deserving of public support.
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Mickaboo has rescued thousands of companion birds from sometimes dire situations and given them a new life. This has often involved providing essential veterinary care from qualified avian veterinarians. It always involves love and patience to allow the bird to feel safe and cared for around people, as well as proper diet and toys.
This is selfless work, and all of it is provided by volunteers who provide foster care for these birds in their homes until we can find their "forever home". Prospective adopters are carefully screened and required to take a bird care class so that there is assurance that the new home is appropriate, and that the bird and the new human family are a good match.
Mickaboo is 100% supported by donations from the public, and all of the funds go to pay for necessary medical care. The many hundreds of hours involved in caring for the birds, tracking them through the system, screening applicants etc is given by volunteers with no payment of any kind. We truly give our hearts to these wonderful birds, all to help them have the better future they so richly deserve.
I can't believe such wonderful organization exists. I recently found out about Mickaboo, and Mickacoo when I volunteered to transport ill pigeon to Elizabeth. She overwhelmed me with so much fascinating information about doves and pigeons that it has greatly helped me increase my knowledge, and my drive to provide them with better care. I now have a better understanding about birds overall. Her dedication to these birds is truly touching. I don't know what I would have done without her. Not only did she give me tips and advice about doves and pigeons, but will also foster and take in birds that need rescuing(if they have the capacity-Mickaboo/coo seem to rescue everyday!), as well as use her own money to take care of their vet bills when they are sick or injured. All this is unpaid time and work, and if you ask me, she should be getting paid for this!