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Lend a hand to a rescue group
IF YOU ARE NOT in the market for a companion parrot, there are plenty of other ways you can help a deserving
avian rescue group.
- Donate equipment. Most organizations keep long wish lists of items they need to make it through another day
of caging, feeding, and rehabilitating orphaned birds. Popular items range from bird cages and office supplies to
shop-vacs and vehicles. Check with the group to see if you have something in your attic or garage it may be able to use.
- Offer your assistance. All groups need volunteers who can offer at least a few hours every week. Needs vary
from cleaning cages and feeding to helping with fund raising and picking up surrendered birds.
- Become a foster parent. Groups that do not have separate facilities usually rely on volunteers in the area to
take in birds until permanent homes can be found. You may be expected to pay for food and vet care.
- Send money.
Good old-fashioned cash is always welcome. Some organizations accept monthly donations for sponsoring
individual birds.
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If it is important to you to be able to deduct donations, or if you want to feel confident that your contributions are
going where they are intended, you'll want to make sure the organization is registered as a not-for-profit. Most who
are post their identification number on their Web site.
For further peace of mind you may want to obtain a copy of the organization's registration and financial statements from the
state government entity responsible for setting out nonprofit guidelines. In most states this office is the attorney
general's or secretary of state's. A good organization will not mind giving you the contact information.
Alternatively,
your local nonprofit association can tell you which state office is responsible. To locate your local association, visit
the National Council of Nonprofit Associations.
Lack of not-for-profit status does not necessarily mean an organization does not do good charitable work.
Some small operations prefer not to hassle with nonprofit registration requirements, which include forming a
board of directors and writing bylaws.
Regardless of a group's status, do not give cash and always make your contributions out by check to the name of the
charity, not to an individual. Keep your canceled check or other receipt from the charity as a record.
You may also want to check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been lodged against
the organization. To find your local chapter, visit
www.bbb.org.
ParrotChronicles.com
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