We’re spotlighting another bird for Adopt-A-Rescued-Bird Month (be sure to submit your own story to encourage others to adopt!).
Mikey is a special-needs cockatiel because he is missing toes on one foot, which perching hard, if not impossible, for him. He was listed on Petfinder by Bergen County Animal Shelter in Teterboro, NJ.
When Tiffany Leonard of Ridgefield Park, NJ, saw his photo and story, she and her parents went to meet him. “The minute I saw him,” she writes, “I fell in love.” She arranged to adopt him on the spot.
Not much was known about his history except that his previous person had dementia and could no longer care for Mikey.
“I wasn’t able to find out what type of food he was on previously or
treats he liked,” Tiffany says. She knew everything would be okay,
though, when “the minute I got him home and opened the cage, he flew out and
landed on my shoulder. I just knew that he was going to be my little
buddy forever.”
She realized his original cage was not disabled-bird friendly, so she joined a
bird forum, did research and learned about flat/platform perches. She
knew at once that’s what Mikey needed in his cage.
Life is better for Mikey: “I spoil him rotten,” Tiffany says. “He eats a varied diet of pellets, seeds, yummy veggies, brown rice and couscous and goes to the certified avian vet’s regularly.” In return, he’s brought a joy to Tiffany’s life that she says is priceless. “I really could not imagine my life without him.”
Consider adding a little tweetheart to your life.
Submit your Happy Tail adoption story.
Previous Happy Tails:
The three doves were left to fend for themselves
An abandoned dog rubs paws with the stars
The dog would only use three of his legs
The cat needed subcutaneous fluids to survive
A Bull Mastiff goes from bait dog to cuddle buddy
A couple finds out why senior cats rule
A photoshoot for Petfinder gives a senior Chihuahua a chance
A thrown-away senior dog comes home
A bald, skinny senior dog gains a doggie best friend
An emaciated Golden Retriever becomes a beloved pet
A Dalmatian goes from shelter dog to spokesdog
After 5 years in a shelter, a three-legged Rottweiler goes home
A deaf senior helps three grieving girls
A dog was ‘less adoptable’ for an unexpected reason
