Brainy Birds invite community to lend a hand
“We are growing rapidly and need to continue doing so but funds are always a problem.”
Brainy Birds Parrot Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre invites community members to lend a hand and help feathered friends in need this Mandela Day.
On July 18 community members can visit the Public Benefit Organisation and plant trees, herbs and edible plants/ flowers.
Alternatively, if time is an issue on the day those interested in helping can make a donation of R67 to the PBO which will be used to cover running costs.
Also read: Brainy birds – a place of safety
Founder of the centre, Dee Hendrickx, said the idea is to invite community members to not only help the organisation but also the environment.
She said learners from several schools which include Holy Rosary, Saheti and KES are set to help at the centre on Mandela Day.
Established five years ago the centre has grown from caring for 60 birds to caring for over 200.
Over the years aviaries, large and small, have sprung up on the property because of the support from the community.
The communities support allows the centre to continue helping abused and neglected domesticated and wild birds some of which cannot be released into the wild.
“We are growing rapidly and need to continue doing so but funds are always a problem.”
Also read: EXCLUSIVE: Brainy Birds receives first free-standing aviary
As a rescue centre, Brainy Birds relies heavily on the support of the community.
It generates funds through fund-raising campaigns, as a beneficiary of the Tail and Whiskers Charity Shop and through recycling.
Dee explained that the centre collects second-hand items, gives it to Tails and Whiskers where it is sold to raise money.
“Funds from items with a blue sticker bought at the store are then donated to the centre.”
In terms of recycling, the centre collects paper, cardboard, plastic and glass and receives payment after collection from a recycling company.
Recently a community initiative was started to encourage pre-primary schools in Edenvale and the surrounding areas to raise money for the centre.
Dee said whichever school raises the most money by collecting “copper” coloured coins (Cents) will receive a free hour-long bird education seminar.
The coin collecting initiative will close on July 27.
Dee said another project the centre is working on is the re-flooring of two of its wooden birdhouses.
She said due to moisture the floors in two of the sheds started rotting and breaking.
“Birds needed to be relocated to other rooms to prevent them from being infected with Aspergillosis, a fungal infection which can cause respiratory diseases.”
Contact Brainy Birds on 079 426 5572 for more information on how you can help the centre.
Community members can visit the centre by appointment only.
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