We visited the Animal Shelter while on Bonaire two weeks ago. They could really use more help. We brought some dog/kitty toys from Kobi in Virginia and myself that they could retail to get funds for feeding/vet care. It's so worth while. Please ask for directions and visit. A donation or a purchase would really help. I was so impressed with Bonaire's lack of hundreds of strays that you see everywhere in the Caribbean. This shelter really serves a need of some of our four legged furry friends. Just my two cents. I sat in the kitty cage and played with them and it does a heart good.

Marge,
Thank you again for sharing some suitcase space with Rob and I I know Jane and the staff are thankful for any help they receive. I was OVERLY impressed with my shelter visit last July! What an awesome team they have there and the love those animals see is HUGE!
I have more things to bring, in May, and hopefully others will read this and share some space in their suitcases for the Shelter!!

BIG hugs to you for sharing AND caring...........

Kobi

Thanks for the reminder to bring toys and stuff. I will make few runs to see what is available here to bring. I will be going as they have some artwork that I won at the auction that they did but it's also good to play with the fur babies.

I was at the pet store just this morning trying to find more cat tubes for when Susan and I arrive back on Bonaire in late May, still none to be found but did buy more dog pull toys for the store. You will not find a nicer shelter or better staff anywhere else in the carib. IMHO, but I am preaching to the choir here. Also just read in the Reporter that the entire complex just got a facelift from about a dozen volunteers, so it should be looking better then ever.

Patrick

We're heading down on April 21st and have bought a few things for the shelter. Hope to pick up a bit more next week. We have more room in our suitcases if anyone else has something they would like us to take, either for the shelter or for the Hoppner Boys. We're in British Columbia, Canada.

Hey guys,

I just picked up this thread a while ago. I feed birds, squirrels, and groundhogs here at home. In Bonaire, I work on donkeys and our furry friends. Anyway, as you know, I totally SUCK at anything technical!! I tried to upload (or download)......not sure which, a pic of me feeding some stray friends. Emailed Mare for help!

Do you all have a website, or physical mailing address for the animal shelter? SBG and I are not going back down until October. I can only send cash donations. Between a cooler of food, dive gear and SBG's clothes, we don't have an ounce of room left when we board!

Animals are one of my weaknesses! When we go diving each day, we pack the cooler with apples, carrots, leftovers from dinner, etc. As we drive, we stop and feed any donkeys, goats, dogs, cats and iguanas that we can!!

Hi Terry Anne, just saw your email as I eat my lunch. Here are the two web sites you need for more information about the shelter and donating:

http://www.bonairenature.com/animalshelter/

http://www.supportbonaire.org/

I hear what you say about room, we usually put stuff in our mask cases and other places like that to fill the little spots with stuff. This trip we plan to pack about half a carry on full of toys for the shelter store as part of the problem is they have no where on island to buy things to sell. We also have a luggage scale to avoid weight issues when we check in.

If anyone is from the New Jersey area I will plug our local shelter also, one that we visit often and where are current little tan tiger cat "Spunki" was adopted from.

http://ahscares.org/

This is a no kill facility with a cat room similar to the cat cage on Bonaire. They also have a program where older people can be sure that their pet will go there for adoption when the owners dies, but the pet can stay for the rest of their lives if needed. Really a wonderful program.

Have a great day to all,
Patrick

Hey guys,

I just picked up this thread a while ago. I feed birds, squirrels, and groundhogs here at home. In Bonaire, I work on donkeys and our furry friends. Anyway, as you know, I totally SUCK at anything technical!! I tried to upload (or download)......not sure which, a pic of me feeding some stray friends. Emailed Mare for help!

Do you all have a website, or physical mailing address for the animal shelter? SBG and I are not going back down until October. I can only send cash donations. Between a cooler of food, dive gear and SBG's clothes, we don't have an ounce of room left when we board!

Animals are one of my weaknesses! When we go diving each day, we pack the cooler with apples, carrots, leftovers from dinner, etc. As we drive, we stop and feed any donkeys, goats, dogs, cats and iguanas that we can!!

SBG/Tad...you have hiccups LOL!

Patrick, check your Wally World/WalMart for cat tunnels. I found a few there not long ago They have cat cubes and tunnels; at least at my store. Cool thing is those are flat and easy to pack.
I have some bone and fish shaped placemats hopefully Jane can sell for $ I had someone, who sews, make them for me!

You guys rock.....we can make a difference

I will be sure to save room in my suitcases for some goodies for the shelter. I can hardly wait to visit them.

And once you empty those suitcases of gifts for the shelter, be sure to pick up some shelter t-shirts for the folks back home.

Jacob and Esau Katz
Animal Welfare Association
Class of 2003

I hope there are still license plates left in May when we're there. Already have a few requests to bring back those.

Howdy,

Is there an interest for a free spay/neuter clinic? My wife's hospital is always looking for new places to go for a clinic.

Steve - send a note to the shelter and find out. I think they did one last year which I believe was quite a success.

Hello, I am trying to find someone to help a parrot at Rose's restaurant in Rincon. We were there last week. This darling creature is in need of a Vet. The owners of this little guy have simply not made the effort, and my family would like to do so. Being not typically "Bird People", this green parrot has given us a huge amount of joy each time we visit. If you have ever seen this bird you know what we are talking about. He actually laughs like a child. Any info. is appreciated.
Thank you.

Well I went to the grocery store the other morning and they were having a clearance on toys for cats and dogs - yep I filled up. I think I'll be shoving this stuff in every nook and cranny. Haven't told the hubby yet and he hasn't seemed to notice the huge bag in the front of the garage.

Hazel...what's wrong with the parrot?

Yay, YoMo Rob wouldn't notice the bag either LOL! Maybe only when it came time to pack the fins and he saw there were things INSIDE the foot pockets LOL!

Hazel, not sure about an avian vet on island. Hopefully someone local will answer you. Thanks for caring!!

That's just great. Heaven knows they can use the help.

Meryl,
It's left leg looks swollen at the base (hard to see thru the feathers), and he's having trouble standing on it. The rest of him looks healthy.

Sounds like Bumblefoot Meryl.. we had a duck with it and I took it to the vets and the vet opened the foot and took out alot of icky stuff [kind of like a sebaous cyst}. The duck was fine after that..no need for stitches or anything it healed on it's own..

I looked at the Parrot Watch website, and emailed Sam Williams who I am hoping may have info. for us. The "bumblefoot" thing sounds gross, yet treatable.I will be waiting for a response from him, and continuing the search for care.
Hazel

Hazel,

Do you have a website for the Rose Inn? I've been there once, in early 2000. I think we need to email them and let them know that neglecting one of their business "Props" is not acceptable!! And they can count us out in the future, unless they personally pay to have it remedied immediately!!

If not, I'll be glad to have a vet charge X on my CC, but only if it is removed from their custody, PERIOD! I'm not going to be held hostage to paying vet bills for people that regard birds, animals, etc as expendable!!

If you can't afford to care for your pets......then do the decent, humane thing, and let someone who can afford it to care for them!!

We have an african grey with a bum leg. African Greys are very clumsy birds beleive it or not! And we clipped her wings when she was a baby and she fell like a rock!
Her foot goes to the "side" vet said if she can perch she didn't need surgery (which I couldn't even imagine!) But she does great!
I am looking up foot stuff...we bought a bunch of Avian vet books.

http://www.cockatiels.org/articles/Diseases/bumblefoot.htm
see if this link works on the Bumblefoot. This disease seems like it starts on the bottom of the foot.

Tad, I don't know of a website for Rose's Restaurant. I am hoping that the Parrot Watch volunteers will be helpful locating a Vet. for me who can make a housecall.

Hazel, do you know if there is a band on the birds foot? Sometimes that can make it swell, caught in something or too tight?

Meryl, I did'nt notice one...the swelling is at the top of his leg, toward the bending joint (for lack of knowledge in bird anatomy).

Hazel,

One final thing!! My home number is (540) 891-1400. You call me, and let me know that the parrot is at the vet's office, and is going to be placed in someone else's care, and I'll take care of this, right now!! I'll even give the vet a CC up front before the parrot is taken there. This CRAP just pisses the sh........t out of me!!

Where are the rest of you? Is researching the internet going to help? Wanna have a lengthly discussion over several days? Do any of you have the guts to let anyone know that as soon as we see evidence, in Bonaire, or anywhere else, their animals are not properly cared for, our business with their establishment is history!!

I love this board but I am unfortunately beginning to realize that most people are full of crap! I've raised my hand, given my home number, offered my CC, etc. Of course, at my age, I should realize, talk is cheap!!

Having never visited it, how does one get to the animal shelter? My wife is always in need of a cat fix!

Tad, I will be happy to take the Vet. bill for this animal, as anyone who cares about animals would like to do. I love to visit this island, and make as many friends as I can. Because I do not "Yet" live there, I will do my part where it is needed from far away. I cannot make someone care as much as you or I, but I will always do what I think is the right thing.

Hazel, Upper bone is same as our's Femur.
From everything I've just read and the area you tell us it is (upper thigh) It could be broke, bruised, abcess,or blood clot (major arteries in that area).
I am not sure if the islands vet is an avian vet. But they should know alot more then we do and should be able to perform an xray at least to rule out break or soft tissue injury.
Tad,I for one will also help... as would alot of others here...but we can't take someones animal from them unless they ask us for help.

Here is the information I have found for Rose's if you would like it.

Rose Inn
Kaya Guyaba #4
Phone: +(599) 717-6420

Cellular: +(599) 786-6420
Email: info@roseinnbonaire.com

I hope all gets settled and the parrot gets help if he/she needs it.
Best of luck,

Meryl, Thank you. I am having trouble finding the name of the Vet. on the island.

I just emailed Rose's and with an offer of vet bill help if needed.

Thanks Robin!

Meryl, That is wonderful. As soon as I find a vet who can perform services, I am happy to provide the financial help.

I found these two numbers for Vets on the island, not sure where they are but here are there numbers.

ANIMAL CLINIC BONAIREK
aminda Lagoen24 A717-4255. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cellular (Spoed)790-6001. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Klinika VeterinarioKaminda Lagùn24-A717-4255. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fax717-7655

Robin, Thank you. I just found that info. too. I couldn't complete the call, but just emailed.
I am crossing my fingers. I am so thankful for this help.

Just to make sure the translation is ok, the 790-6001 is a cell phone for emergencies only...

Just sent this to them guys!

We are part of an internet chat board on Bonairetalk.com. We understand your parrot has a problem with a leg/foot. We are VERY concerned, and would like to help. If you can not afford to take care of it, we are willing to help! A lot of visitor’s eyes are on you right now. Help us to help you!!

Call (540) 891-1400, or post to the board...........please!!

Robin,

Thank you for the number!! I just called and spoke with Emma. She said they have taken the parrot to the vet, and they have some antibiotics they are putting in his water. According to her, the parrot is doing better.

I'm sure you have heard of "Voting with your wallets"! Well, she knows we are all watching now!!

Hazel, thanks for bringing this to our attention!! If you hear anything else, let us know!!

Meryl, Tad, Robin, and Martin, I can't believe how wonderful you all are. I had no idea that there would be THIS much interest in helping a little green parrot. I hope you all get a chance to see that parrot, and hear him laugh!
Thank you. Hazel