Johnson and Windsor of Rhode Island’s FOSTER PARROTS receive “Hero of the Year Award”
Award marks a major step forward in bringing wider public awareness to the growing crisis of exotic birds in the pet trade. Legendary veterinarian R.K. Anderson, received the George T. Angell Humanitarian Award during the same ceremony.
Hope Valley, RI – Marc Johnson and Karen Windsor, Co-Directors of Foster Parrots based in Hope Valley, Rhode Island, were presented with this year’s “Human Hero of the Year Award” at the 2009 MSPCA-Angell Animal Hall of Fame Dinner. The high profile annual gala was held at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library this past Thursday, October 22, 2009.
Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals spokesman Brian Adams says, “since 1987, the MSPCA has gathered its supporters to promote compassion for animals by honoring those people and animals who uplift us through their extraordinary efforts and encourage us to follow their example. These heroes represent all of the animal advocates, champions, and defenders who further the cause of kindness every day, all around us. We pay tribute to them on this special night.”
In his acceptance speech Foster Parrots founder Marc Johnson told the black tie audience of 330 attendees from all over New England that this award marks a very important milestone for the avian pet crisis. “I would like to give a very special thank you to MSPCA for addressing the homeless parrot issue, they are truly leaders in the animal welfare world, for this award marks the first time that anyone involved in the unwanted parrot issue has been publicly recognized by a major animal welfare organization.” The MSPCA-Angell is a national and international leader in animal protection and veterinary medicine and provides direct hands-on care for thousands of animals each year. Established in 1868, it is the second-oldest humane society in the United States.
Foster Parrots, founded by Marc Johnson in Rockland, Massachusetts in 1989, opened the doors of its New England Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary in Hope Valley, Rhode Island in May of 2008 with an open house event hosted by celebrated anthropologist Dr. Jane Goodall. For more than 20 years the organization has provided for the rescue and sanctuary of thousands of exotic birds, and actively lobbied for the establishment of regulations in the pet trade, as well as wider public education on the challenges associated with parrots as domestic pets. They have also established a well known eco-tour conservation project in the South American country of Guyana which has helped to decrease the number of wild parrots exported to countries like Russian, China, and India where it is still legal to export wild caught parrots, more than 80% of which die in transport.
“Parrots have become America’s third most popular pet,” says Executive Director Karen Windsor. “Unlike dogs and cats which have been domesticated over thousands of years, parrots are still very much wild animals. Many store bought parrots are just a generation or two removed from their wild caught relatives. And it is their wild nature that often makes incompatible as household companions. ” The organization receives upwards of 25 calls each week from individuals all over New England hoping to re-home their parrots, most of whom have life spans ranging from 65 to 110 years. It is estimated that 3 to 5 million parrots enter the U.S. pet trade each year.
Foster parrots has been featured on Animal Planet, Scientific American Frontiers hosted by Alan Alda, in conservation and veterinary magazines, and on National Public Radio. Mr. Johnson and Ms. Windsor speak at universities and schools around the country and are a national media resource on issues related to Quaker Parrots, considered an invasive specie in North America, as well as the establishment of humane regulations within the avian pet trade. Foster Parrots is a founding member of the Avian Welfare Coalition, a member of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, and of the World Society for the Protection of Animals.
The Animal Hall of Fame Dinner, hosted by MSPCA President Carter Luke, also honored internationally renowned veterinarian R.K. Anderson, DVM, MPH, DACVB, DACVPM, who received the George T. Angell Humanitarian Award – a lifetime achievement award – and Tucker, Comet, & Tasha, three extraordinary dogs from Nevins Farm Education Dogs, who each received Animal Hero of the Year Awards. Dr. Anderson is recognized nationally and internationally as a teacher, speaker, author, practitioner and consultant in the fields of animal behavior and human animal relationships and co-inventor of the Gentle Leader® headcollar and GL Easy Walk harness for dogs. Tucker, Comet and Tasha, assisted by their trained owners, travel to schools, daycare centers, career fairs and hospitals to teach lessons of kindness and care with instinctive paws-on proficiency. They have touched the minds and hearts of thousands of children over the years.
The evening’s program included a cocktail reception, seated dinner, and the presentation of the MSPCA-Angell’s Hero Awards.