06/14/2026
This is exactly why the Forever Norman Veterinary Medical Fund exists:
Last week, one of our veterinarians asked if we would consider helping save the life of a very young cockatiel who had been brought to the hospital by a large pet retailer. She had been dropped off because she was showing signs that something was extremely wrong…
After examining the youngster, the veterinarian diagnosed a severe infection caused by avian gastric yeast. She explained the treatment plan, prognosis, and estimated costs to the store’s representative. Treatment was declined, and the veterinarian was instructed to euthanize her. We were told the retailer would not be covering lifesaving procedures under company policy…
This is where we at The Gabriel Foundation stepped in. ❤️🩹
Our veterinarian contacted us and asked whether we would be willing to underwrite the discounted cost of treatment for this little bird, who was in critical condition. After a brief discussion, our team unanimously agreed. We knew there were no guarantees, but we believed this 60-gram youngster deserved a fighting chance… They all deserve a chance.
The road to recovery was touch-and-go. The greatest challenge was getting nutrition into her tiny, fragile body. She required assisted feeding, hospitalization, medication, and around the clock care. Progress came slowly, but the entire hospital staff was rooting for her, and so were we!
Then, it happened…!
She started eating on her own. 🥰 The medication began doing its job! & day by day, this little one grew stronger. On the sixth day, she was released into our care.
Today, our team here at The Gabriel Foundation continues to provide diligent treatment and support, and we see firsthand her remarkable determination to live! The hospital staff named her “Pwincess,” and we’re keeping it… our little Pwincess. 👑🦜
Once she completes the next several weeks of treatment and follow-up care, and has enough good days behind her, we hope to find this little survivor a very special adopter!
**A note about privacy**
We will not be publicly identifying the retailer involved in this case. Our goal is not to direct outrage toward any individual employee or location, but to advocate for the welfare of animals and support the veterinarians and caregivers who work tirelessly on their behalf! Our focus remains where it belongs: on Pwincess and her continued recovery.
We deeply struggle to understand how a company can choose to sell live animals while declining treatment when a veterinarian believes there is a reasonable chance of recovery. We also understand that veterinary care can be expensive, and that difficult quality-of-life decisions are sometimes necessary. We face those realities ourselves every day…
Pwincess received a chance because of support from our Forever Norman Veterinary Medical Fund, a donor-supported fund dedicated to emergency and lifesaving veterinary care for parrots in need.
Because while we cannot save them all, when one more life worth saving comes to our attention, we will do everything we can to give that bird a chance.
❤️🩹 This is the impact of your support. Your generosity makes stories like Pwincess’s possible! ❤️🩹
P.S. Pwincess is currently spending her days and nights in an incubator while receiving daily nebulization treatments. She enjoys several supervised outings each day to explore her surroundings, interact with her caregivers, and continue building strength… we are excited to keep giving you all updates on her recovery!
If you are moved to donate, link is in comments or directly donate to this post. Thank you so much.
LOVE,
Team TGF
