Javi the Cockatoo was so stressed in her life before she was rescued that she pulled out all her feathers. The bird’s former owners neglected her to the point where she was over-preening and harming herself.
When she arrived at Tallgrass Parrot Sanctuary in Kansas in September she smelled like “stale cigarette butts, and rotted garbage”.
Originally named Hobby, her rescuers renamed her Javi. “We have decided to change Hobby’s name to Javi, (pronounced “Ha vee”) since no living being should be someone’s hobby,” the sanctuary wrote on Facebook.
Photo credit: Tallgrass Parrot Sanctuary / Facebook
After just 12 hours in their care the exotic bird got her first bath ever and “discovered the joys of fresh banana and apples”. The sanctuary says she’s “adjusting to her new life like a champ”.
It’s been several weeks since her rescue and the sanctuary had to share a very special moment and one that every animal rescuer longs to hear.
“This little girl is just blooming,” the sanctuary wrote on Facebook on November 11th. “Today she said ‘I love you’ and our hearts just melted!”
Photo credit: Tallgrass Parrot Sanctuary / Facebook
Javi had a calm and successful second visit with the veterinarian and hopes are that Javi will continue to heal and may even grow some feathers back. I think she will with the TLC she’s getting!
Tallgrass Parrot Sanctuary offers the birds they take in a permanent home where they will be loved and cared for, for the rest of their days.
Update:
It’s been a few years since Javi’s rescue, and although her feathers haven’t grown back, she’s very affectionate and loves getting snuggles!
And head rubs too! It’s good to see her so healthy and happy after her ordeal.
Share Javi with your family and friends and visit Tall Grass Parrots Sanctuary to see how you can help support their rescue.
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