Our GoFundMe Story
I hope you are safe, in good health, washing hands, wearing protective masks, physically distancing and remaining optimistic!
THE PROBLEM
Corvid-19 lockdown for us began on March 20th (1st day of Spring). I padlocked the door to our Key West Parrot Rescue. This closure remains in effect. The birds and I are in isolation. We are in a sanctuary for rehomed, abandoned and abused parrots known as Nancy Forrester Secret Garden. Our flock has been supported nearly 100% by our admission fee which is generated by tourism. We have lost two months of monetary gate revenue and to keep afloat during this time. I have spent our winter savings put aside for emergencies. Because of Corvid-19 I am at risk of losing everything I have worked for concerning parrot welfare for over 35 years. Our parrots are in jeopardy. DONATE TO INSURE OUR FUTURE
OUR NEEDS
To continue to provide caregiving to our precious parrots. I need fresh produce and dried food items, bird supplies, cleaning supplies, toys for enrichment (especially now because my attention is forced elsewhere and it breaks my heart that they are not getting enough interaction from me and others). Feather plucking has increased. I need funds to pay the utilities bills for cooling and filtration, electricity, water, sewer, waste management, phone, internet, licenses, equipment, business insurance, auto upkeep, gas and a nest egg for the possibility of vet bills (we have no birds with health issues at this time but we have a lot of older parrots) and hurricane evacuation, god forbid. Hurricane season starts June 1st. Predictions are calling for an active season! I need payroll for one part-time employee, who I do not have now but desperately need. I have been doing all the work here by myself for two months with no end in sight. It is complex and labor intensive.
Normally at this time of year I earn about around $3,800.00 per month which covers our monthly expenses. I am asking for funds to pay for six months of all basic operating expenses, plus money for one part time employee and two nest eggs, one for vet care, if needed, the other for hurricane evacuation, if needed. All donations will go to pay the basic monthly bills and the other necessities described above. All our volunteers are at home sheltered in place and my one and only long time employee is hospitalized and probably will not be able to work here again. At times, I am beyond burn out but I will never quit. I love these animals. I am passionate about providing them with the best care possible. I am determined not to allow fear, stress, depression, and hopelessness to overtake me. I am giving each day all the strength I have. PLEASE DONATE
FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW ME
I live a modest lifestyle. Two thirds of the interior space in my home and all of my backyard houses the parrots. I am a very hard worker and some who know me think I am a "do-it-yourselfer" to a fault. I am proud of the fact that under normal times my everyday hard work earns enough money to support this Sanctuary. I specialize in education. I specialize in large macaws We have a flock of rescued educational ambassadors who have helped me teach in depth Parrot 101 to a wide range of people 365 days a year My visitors are parrot lovers, the curious of all ages, teachers and students. The flock travels off property to schools, libraries, various congregations and botanical gardens for educational purposes
Our parrots are a valuable educational asset to our community and the visiting public. I have always taught long hours in person, face to face, up close and personal. I teach Parrot 101 because I am dedicated to stopping parrot abuse both captive and wild. I strive to exemplify the best practices in all aspects of parrot caregiving. My topics include nutrition, foraging, playing, socialization and training. I demonstrate the benefits of target training to those who are interested. PLEASE DONATE
I AM HOPEFUL BUT THE FUTURE IS NOT CERTAIN
I think it will be a very long time before state, out of state and international tourists feel comfortable and safe enough to return. Normally our summer trade brings us lots of traveling American and European families. I doubt if we will see many.
I am counting on your donations for our future.
At this time Monroe County has a road block on US1 to keep out people who do not live here. The Florida Keys are just beginning to open businesses slowly to our residents only. When the roadblock lifts, I will reopen with caution under new guidelines. Masks, social distancing handwashing and disinfecting surfaces will be a must. People are not allowed to touch the birds or cages and must refrain from touching all surfaces except the handrails. Admission and donations will be cash or smart phone cqcodes only, like paypal.pay. I will not be running credit cards. Education will be self-guided!
WHAT I CAN DO TO CREATE FUTURE INCOME
Given the chance, I intend to create income for our birds by turning to e-commerce. I look forward to creating a series of fun fact filled 30 to 40 minute educational videos to sell on line thru Vimeo. These videos will be composed of my photos, videos, text and voice overs. Each one will highlight an individual parrot who lives here at the sanctuary, describing how fascinating, intelligent, unique and funny that bird is. They are all so incredibly unique in their habits, likes and dislikes. I will market them as a family activity, a must for animal lovers, bird lovers, parrot lovers, the curious, kids who are home schooled, teachers, and libraries. In the evenings, I am working on the first video. It is called "Larrybird" The Parrot
PLEASE DONATE, SHARE, SEND A SUPPORTIVE MESSAGE, AND ASK QUESTIONS!
Every single donation big or small will assist us in taking care of our parrots through these next difficult months
FOLLOW our pages on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nancy.forrester.18
and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keywestparrots/
Twitter
VISIT OUR WEBSITES https://www.keywestparrots.com
THANK YOU FOR READING THIS
I will keep sharing our parrots stories and let you know how we are doing
STAY SAFE,
Much Love,
THANK YOU
Nancy Forrester
Hello Friends from Nancy Forrester in Key West
I hope you are safe, in good health, washing hands, wearing protective masks, physically distancing and remaining optimistic!
THE PROBLEM
Corvid-19 lockdown for us began on March 20th (1st day of Spring). I padlocked the door to our Key West Parrot Rescue. This closure remains in effect. The birds and I are in isolation. We are in a sanctuary for rehomed, abandoned and abused parrots known as Nancy Forrester Secret Garden. Our flock has been supported nearly 100% by our admission fee which is generated by tourism. We have lost two months of monetary gate revenue and to keep afloat during this time. I have spent our winter savings put aside for emergencies. Because of Corvid-19 I am at risk of losing everything I have worked for concerning parrot welfare for over 35 years. Our parrots are in jeopardy. DONATE TO INSURE OUR FUTURE
OUR NEEDS
To continue to provide caregiving to our precious parrots. I need fresh produce and dried food items, bird supplies, cleaning supplies, toys for enrichment (especially now because my attention is forced elsewhere and it breaks my heart that they are not getting enough interaction from me and others). Feather plucking has increased. I need funds to pay the utilities bills for cooling and filtration, electricity, water, sewer, waste management, phone, internet, licenses, equipment, business insurance, auto upkeep, gas and a nest egg for the possibility of vet bills (we have no birds with health issues at this time but we have a lot of older parrots) and hurricane evacuation, god forbid. Hurricane season starts June 1st. Predictions are calling for an active season! I need payroll for one part-time employee, who I do not have now but desperately need. I have been doing all the work here by myself for two months with no end in sight. It is complex and labor intensive.
Normally at this time of year I earn about around $3,800.00 per month which covers our monthly expenses. I am asking for funds to pay for six months of all basic operating expenses, plus money for one part time employee and two nest eggs, one for vet care, if needed, the other for hurricane evacuation, if needed. All donations will go to pay the basic monthly bills and the other necessities described above. All our volunteers are at home sheltered in place and my one and only long time employee is hospitalized and probably will not be able to work here again. At times, I am beyond burn out but I will never quit. I love these animals. I am passionate about providing them with the best care possible. I am determined not to allow fear, stress, depression, and hopelessness to overtake me. I am giving each day all the strength I have. PLEASE DONATE
FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW ME
I live a modest lifestyle. Two thirds of the interior space in my home and all of my backyard houses the parrots. I am a very hard worker and some who know me think I am a "do-it-yourselfer" to a fault. I am proud of the fact that under normal times my everyday hard work earns enough money to support this Sanctuary. I specialize in education. I specialize in large macaws We have a flock of rescued educational ambassadors who have helped me teach in depth Parrot 101 to a wide range of people 365 days a year My visitors are parrot lovers, the curious of all ages, teachers and students. The flock travels off property to schools, libraries, various congregations and botanical gardens for educational purposes
Our parrots are a valuable educational asset to our community and the visiting public. I have always taught long hours in person, face to face, up close and personal. I teach Parrot 101 because I am dedicated to stopping parrot abuse both captive and wild. I strive to exemplify the best practices in all aspects of parrot caregiving. My topics include nutrition, foraging, playing, socialization and training. I demonstrate the benefits of target training to those who are interested. PLEASE DONATE
I AM HOPEFUL BUT THE FUTURE IS NOT CERTAIN
I think it will be a very long time before state, out of state and international tourists feel comfortable and safe enough to return. Normally our summer trade brings us lots of traveling American and European families. I doubt if we will see many.
I am counting on your donations for our future.
At this time Monroe County has a road block on US1 to keep out people who do not live here. The Florida Keys are just beginning to open businesses slowly to our residents only. When the roadblock lifts, I will reopen with caution under new guidelines. Masks, social distancing handwashing and disinfecting surfaces will be a must. People are not allowed to touch the birds or cages and must refrain from touching all surfaces except the handrails. Admission and donations will be cash or smart phone cqcodes only, like paypal.pay. I will not be running credit cards. Education will be self-guided!
WHAT I CAN DO TO CREATE FUTURE INCOME
Given the chance, I intend to create income for our birds by turning to e-commerce. I look forward to creating a series of fun fact filled 30 to 40 minute educational videos to sell on line thru Vimeo. These videos will be composed of my photos, videos, text and voice overs. Each one will highlight an individual parrot who lives here at the sanctuary, describing how fascinating, intelligent, unique and funny that bird is. They are all so incredibly unique in their habits, likes and dislikes. I will market them as a family activity, a must for animal lovers, bird lovers, parrot lovers, the curious, kids who are home schooled, teachers, and libraries. In the evenings, I am working on the first video. It is called "Larrybird" The Parrot
PLEASE DONATE, SHARE, SEND A SUPPORTIVE MESSAGE, AND ASK QUESTIONS!
Every single donation big or small will assist us in taking care of our parrots through these next difficult months
FOLLOW our pages on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nancy.forrester.18
and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keywestparrots/
VISIT OUR WEBSITES https://www.keywestparrots.com
THANK YOU FOR READING THIS
I will keep sharing our parrots stories and let you know how we are doing
STAY SAFE,
Much Love,
THANK YOU
Nancy Forrester
Hello Friends from Nancy Forrester in Key West