Seven Hundred Fifty Two Dogs and Thirty Six Birds
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My Day at The Humane Society of Southern AZ

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Sybil Erden -- March 14, 2008

Thursday my e-mailbox was filled with messages from around the country asking whether I had heard about the huge dog and bird confiscation in Tucson. The reports varied, giving the number of Chihuahuas at 800 as a high, or 650 as a low. There also were varied reports on the number of birds ranging from 60 to 80.

I kept calling my friends at HSSA (the Humane Society of Southern Arizona) but, of course, the number was consistently busy. I called Tom Trebisky, who volunteers for The Oasis (our webmaster) as well as for TARA (Tucson Avian Rescue and Adoption.) We agreed to try and send one some of their volunteers down to HSSA to check things out as they were closer than we are. Yesterday evening, Barbara Bailey, TARA's director, called me and gave me what information she had.

There were, I learned, 36 birds. They were not all legally released to HSSA, and many had medical problems. An avian veterinarian from a local clinic spent most of the day with the birds and was scheduled to come back today. Barb and I agreed to meet at HSSA this morning. I would bring additional cages and bowls. There were food donations already pouring in.

At 10:15 I arrived in Tucson in front of the normally quiet Humane Society. There were between 300 and 500 people waiting to fill out adoption papers for the Chihuahuas, all of whom had been signed over to HSSA, unlike many of the birds.

The Sheriff's department, HSSA volunteers and staff, the media with cameras and microphones all added to the surreal mixture of adults and children waiting in long lines around the facility. I drove around for several minutes before taking a semi-legal parking spot. I went up to the first HSSA staff person I saw and told him who I was and why I was here. He called one of my friends who okayed me to go into the otherwise off-limits bird quarantine area.

I was brought to a large room in a small building off to the side of the main adoption center. The room was filled with birds in cages. Many were the original cages which the birds had arrived in and these cages literally stank! Outside were new cages, crates and huge bags of seed and pellets. Outside there also were some of the original cages complete with filth encrusted bowls, some of which had remnants of brackish water and others which held nothing but sunflower seed.

We spent the day washing bowls and giving the birds a variety of food and clean water. We spent time moving birds as we changed out cages. We changed out poopy papers, hung toys and in general did the things it takes to keep birds safe, clean and healthy.

Although a couple of birds were already in the hospital, there were several more birds who had us seriously worried: a fluffed up Lilac-crown Amazon who was too weak to eat; a female Eclectus who sat on her perch, fluffed up, with eyes half open and head tilted all day; and an unusually subdued Umbrella cockatoo. I was shown a plucked Goffin's with a large tumor near his vent. Then there were some birds who simply would not eat.

The room was filled with birds of all sorts. Some were terrified. Others confused. A few reached out for attention. There is a sweet and cuddly Citron female. There is a one eyed angry Hahn's Macaw. There are two Greys: a curious CAG and a terrified older wild-caught Timneh. There was a hungry little cockatiel who went to town on donated millet spray. The scissor-beaked, but extraordinarily friendly Severe became my buddy. Then there is the odd-couple - a one-footed Citron missing her lower beak who has been cared for by a devoted Sun Conure is without a doubt one of my favorites. In my opinion they are one of the likeliest pairs to come to The Oasis.

Right now it appears as though there is enough food, feeding and cleaning materials for the birds. The Humane Society is paying for all the medical care at this point. Once we know which birds are coming here we will take over the cost of their medical care if any. But in all honesty, it will be a while before we know which birds or when they will be coming here.

I will have Tom T. update the on-going saga on our website, so check back every few days. I will also send this out to our Oasis News list when I have more to share. Feel free to cross-post this, as I know there are many folks around the country interested in this rescue/confiscation.

For more information on the rescue you can go to: www.hssaz.org/news_chihuahua_rescue.html

This message is currently posted on the HSSA website:

ATTENTION:

The HSSA is extremely grateful for the community's huge outpouring of support in response to the recent dog rescue. WE HAD MANY MORE VISITORS THAN WE EXPECTED; ALL ANIMALS (dogs that is) INVOLVED WITH THE RESCUE HAVE BEEN ADOPTED AND WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING. The HSSA shelter still has many wonderful animals up for adoption and they can be visited during our normal hours. Thank you again for your support!

The rescued birds still need treatment and are not up for adoption yet. We thank you for your patience in this matter.

The HSSA thanks the public for the overwhelming response we have received asking us how they can help. At this time, monetary donations provide us with invaluable resources in the care, treatment, and sheltering of the hundreds of rescued animals we are still caring for. Donations can be made via the PayPal link, dropped off at the shelter at 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd (in Tucson, Arizona), or you may contact the shelter at 520-327-6088 to make a donation over the phone.

Donations of towels are also always needed to assist in the care of our animals. Thank you!