11/06/2025
A (long) note from the President:
I have been empowered this week to write a heartfelt message to the community at large.
First off - a huge THANK YOU to our volunteers and supporters.
Secondly - A not-so-gentle reminder: WE ARE VOLUNTEERS.
We have 6 volunteer board members and 15+ volunteer foster homes.
Each of us have jobs, children, animals, commitments, extra curriculars, and lives to live.
I started this rescue in 2023 because of a growing need in the Southern Alberta community for parrots. This was after a number of years rehoming parrots by myself. Starting Greta’s Roost was a huge step for me – I realized I could no longer handle it on my own. I needed help. I didn’t have enough space or time to help the parrots I was being asked to take. I didn’t have the resources to help them.
Lucky for me, I ended up finding a handful of fantastic parrot lovers who were willing to share the responsibility with me.
Our 6 board members:
-review every adoption/foster application fully, ask questions, give input, and help determine the right fit for each bird we have.
-do reference checks, arrange and attend home visits, complete interview phone calls
-create media
-update the website
-place birds in foster homes
-communicate with previous adopters (over 100 families!!) with advice, validation, and support
-communicate with community agencies and maintain relationships with same
-consider medical needs and care and maintain vet clinic relationships
-keep complete, transparent financial statements and maintain a bank account
-reimburse for goods received, pay bills regularly (vet clinics, credit card purchases, storage unit, website/email fees)
-organize fundraisers, including donation letters, community connections, advertising, wrap-up, and pick-up locations
-determine adoption fees
-answer questions from the public (most of which are already clearly answered on our website or page)
-use our personal homes as pick-up locations, meeting spots, and supply storage
-vacuum package and date all food donations
-sort and store perches, toys, dishes, and spare parts
-clean and sanitize donated cages and supplies
-pick-up donations, transport of supplies and parrots
-answer emails and Facebook messages
-refer to knowledgeable resources
-provide education
-build and create toys and chop
-communication with foster homes
-attend educational workshops
-educational course building
-spam monitoring
-attend in-person events as ambassadors
-run local parrot club meetings
-work on behaviours with positive reinforcement training so parrots can be ready for their new homes
This list is not exhaustive – it is a snapshot of the things we do EVERY DAY. For free. Because we are VOLUNTEERS.
We spend our free time doing this for the birds. We do not get paid. Every cent that the rescue earns goes back into the parrots in need.
We have policies and processes in place to streamline our volunteer work so we do not burn out.
I am asking for grace, patience, and understanding.
We are only human.
-Megan, President
