Arty, are you going? I would love to hear a report on her presentation!

I wouldn't miss it for the world, Donna and I are fairly good friends, we have spoke often on the phone, she is a wonderful person.
Katrina was a very challenging time within her life, I think I have the pictures of her home filled with birds rescued from Katrina, then the political world turned a bad dream into a nightmare.
But Donna is one tough cookie, as mentioned before, I helped by sending funds to John (beaks) as he made his way to Donnas home to help her.
I will let everyone know about Donna's visit to our bird club.
Thanks for asking Tiki.
Arty.

Love donna to death she is a great lady.

John

I don't know what we will be doing as far as the meeting goes.
& John, you helped a great deal during Katrina, I won't allow you to cut yourself short...no disrespect.
Exotic rescue took a beating during Katrina, Mr. Beaks took his share of the Frustrations also.
I will never forget Johns very long drive to Donna's home, and the stressful times Beaks & Wings Exotic Rescue endured as John was away helping others.
My hat is off to Beaks & Donna & those that helped the birds during Katrina.

And the Parrots at Play program was happy to be able to support some efforts of John and Donna along the way.

Katrina and the Parrots

As many of you know Donna Powell from 911parrotalert was the speaker at the MCBA.
She described a world of Chaos, there were hundreds of birds needing help and the politics were stalling rescue.
The violence as looting was happening, gun shots from above and below, Marshall Law was declared and many rescuers sat back and waited, “all they wanted to do was rescue the animals”.
The horrors describe brought tears to the eyes, one home was found to have many birds in cages all mangled together with the birds holding on to the part of the cage that was above water, these birds were left as they were, as it would take time to help them, seed and water was offered and make shift perch’s so they birds had a place to rest, they had to move on, volunteers marked the house and returned to provide more feed and water until they could get them out safely.
Rescuers sat Idle as the looting continued, many times they were shot at and or explained, “We are only here to rescue animals”, “we don’t care what you’re doing, and we just want the animals”.
Many houses were found with multiple birds, perished, a hole was dug and the little ones were buried and the grave marked.
How does one keep track of what bird came from what home, the addresses were gone off the houses as well as the street name.
They found a breeder facility, nesting boxes floating in the water and the birds perched on top.
Many, many birds were found dead, the sadness was overwhelming, turning off the emotions, they simply had to move on.
Birds were found with mold on there beaks and sinuses, Injuries where many, toxicant covered birds that needed attention, and they needed attention NOW.
The question was asked, “why did these people leave there birds behind?” and the answer was, Many people simply thought they would be returning the next day, they had no Idea the devastation that was to happen, Many people did take there pets with them only to watch there pets perish in the stifling heat as highways shut down from cars out of gas, gas was simply not to be found as gas stations ran out and no way to get the tankers in to refill, many people also lost there lives in the traffic jams.
Water was scarce, food was scarce, and folks simply weren’t prepared for what was to come.
The greatest issue was to get the birds to safety and address there medical needs, how is this to happen with roads plugged from cars out of gas, how was this to happen when there was no gas to be found.
It was a world of helplessness, frustrations, many tears, much heartbreak, and many nightmares.
Donna Powell’s home filled quickly with cages and birds, a call for help was heard as people from all over the country arrived, many Vets arrived, then there was the issue of fresh water, there was none to be found, gas was bought at night when it could be found to avoid the long lines and the waiting.
UPS trucks began arriving with much needed seed and supplies, fresh water and boxes of toys as the bird world responded to the cry for help, those that did find there birds were given brand new cages and toys, thanks to the extremely kind donations from the Avian world, simply to many to mention by name.
Pictures were shown of Donna Powell’s home as it not only turned into a giant Aviary but also a warehouse of supplies.
Donna reported it has been a year now and here home is still with 40 birds and cages, her home used to be with but one bird, now the many call upon her, it will take many years to recover from Katrina, and even then “will all be back to normal”?
Today Donna still struggles to keep up with what Katrina has left behind she offers her advice.
If your bird is banded, log that number down and keep that number in a safe place.
Stock up on bottled water and food supplies for both human and pet.
Never under estimate Mother Nature, this is the most serious issue, expect the worse and prepare for the worse.
Donna sends a very sincere Thank You to all that donated there time to help, those that donated funds and supplies, without your kind contributions many more Parrots would have lost there lives.
Donna spoke of John from Beaks & Wings Parrot Rescue, She said John offered much needed help; She said there was a sense of Irony as she saw the look on Johns face when he realized the extent of the issue, she no longer felt helpless as more and more people arrived to help.
Thank you Donna Powell for your visit to the MCBA, Thank you for saving so many lives, a special thanks to everyone that reached out to help, your kind donations were greatly needed and helped to save many lives.
May the Lord bless you Donna Powel and the 911parrotalert rescue group.
Sincerely
Arty & Rose Ann Tovar
BrokenWing Wildlife/ Exotic/Pigeon Rescue & Rehab.

I didnt do much of anything until i took off for new orleans and the coast to help sort things out there after i left donnas, when i was there she did all the grunt work and had all the stress (shes a strong, good woman and people treated her pretty bad on the net when the crap hit the fan)

Donna has my respect and i dont give it freely

BrokenWing Wildlife/Exotic/Pigeon Rescue & Rehab proudly supported Beaks & Wings Parrot Rescue during Katrina.
To all that reached out to help, GOD BLESS.
Arty