regional news - Performance Printing

LOCAL NEWSParrot aviary plans in motion for 2013 openingBy STACEY ROYsroy@perfprint.caEMC News - Polly wants an outdooraviary and thanks to a $5,000 grant fromIntuit, the animals of Parrot Partner atthe Gallipeau Centre are closer thanever to their goal.“I’m thrilled,” remarked JudyTennant, lead trainer at Parrot Partnerupon hearing of the grant application’ssuccess.Intuit’s Love Our Local Businessgrant represents half of the fundsneeded to complete the outdoor andindoor aviary space for Parrot Partnersin their new Smiths Falls home. In thenext couple of weeks the non-profitorganization will launch an onlinevoting campaign in hopes of addinganother $5,000 to the project’s budget.“It’s an exciting time,” Tennantsaid.The funds will help to completeboth bird spaces while providing anest egg to cover immediate and futureveterinary bills. Tennant explainsbecause parrots can live up to 80 yearstheir health care often becomes quitecomplex and expensive with only oneavian vet in the region available fortheir care. Many times when the healthof birds fails owners find they simplycan’t cover the care costs.This is when the birds are releasedinto the wild or a place like ParrotPartner comes in to provide the careand love needed.“We’re creating a community of carearound the parrots,” Tennant said.She hopes this community of carewill include the active seniors whowill one day make their home at theGallipeau Centre. The new facility willwelcome visitors to go into the aviaryand interact with the birds as well asview them from outside the securitymesh. Parrot Partner is looking toRELAYFrom front pageGifford said the inaugural year for thefundraiser exceeded the cancer society’sexpectations. She hopes residents fromAlmonte, Carleton Place and Pakenhamwill come out to support the effort.BUILDINGFrom front pageThe loss of the grant funding andthe possible delay into another yearwas not palatable around the horseshoeand council approved the $40,000 outof-budgetexpense and awarded thecontract to JA Gallipeau Constructionfor $141,885.06. The local builder wasone of two tenders received. The secondcame from Guy Saumure & Sonsdevelop partnerships with all currentand future centre tenants including TheHub.Tennant said in order for everyone tosucceed they will have to work togetherto offer unique packages that willattract tourists from Toronto, Kingstonand other major centres.“It’s a challenge but I think we’re upfor it,” she said.Tennant is currently looking at designplans with JA Gallipeau Constructionwho will complete the work. Intuitcongratulated Parrot Partner for beingthe only Canadian entry to successfullyreceive funding and to win in such abig way this round.“We’d like to congratulate ParrotPartner for the win, and we also like tothank all those in the community whoparticipated in the program by votingfor and sharing Parrot Partner’s wish,”said Stephen Sharpe, Intuit Canadaspokesperson.“The great thing about the Love OurLocal Business program is that it showshow valuable small businesses are tothe local community.Judy’s wish for Parrot Partner wassuccessful because it was compelling,inspiring, and something the wholecommunity could really get behind.”The local project shot to the top ofthe voting charts with a final count ofover 14,000 online votes.The next closest competitor in thisyear’s race came in at 8,521 votes.Sharpe confirmed Parrot Partner’ssuccess breaks the record for anyCanadian winner.Tennant admitted she went intothe competition with a game plan ofreaching out to the organizations withlarge email lists and struck gold withbike clubs and religious organizationswho urged their members to vote forthe project virtually every day.“We had a woman, Allison Vaughan,approach us and she loved the Relay forLife and participated in it in Ottawa. Shewanted to bring it home to Almonte,” sheexplained. “...And that first year blew usright out of the water!”Construction for $178, 343.12. Councilhad budgeted $135, 313 this year forthe project, but demolition ran about$30,000 leaving roughly $100,000remaining for the new Murphy Buildingto be built.Coun. Ken Graham noted the townwas able to salvage quite a bit ofbuilding material from the demolitionthat it hoped would bring down the cost“It was actually the bikers and thenuns (who) came through for us,”Tennant said.Once this was completed, the grouptargeted international animal activistsand explained why parrots neededtheir support among any in the animalkingdom.“We had votes coming in from(around) the world,” Tennant said.Undertaking such an onlinecampaign is hard work and somethingof an emotional roller coaster forTennant whose heart has always beenwith the birds and what they need.Parrots’ intellectual ability makes itcritical that they have opportunitiesto interact with humans and othercreatures, while their physical makeupmakes flight a necessity.Tennant sees her new home at theGallipeau Centre as a solution onboth fronts by providing an outdoorand indoor home for her friends.Plans also include renting out thegym on occasion to offer bird flightdemonstrations where the animals gettheir exercise and spectators can seethem in action for a small donation.As work on the aviary continues,Tennant is also looking to build upher program in anticipation of morebirthday parties and visitor exposure.She welcomes any adult who mightbe interested in a part-time job as alead trainer to contact her at www.parrotpartner.com or 613-253-2253.The organization also welcomesyouth trainers for their Parrot Trooperprogram.Those aged 13 and up are urged toapply. No bird experience for eitherposition is necessary, but a love ofanimals and enjoyment in workingwith the public are key.This is a part-time job like no other.Parrot Troopers learn how to relate toWith a goal of $38,000, the MississippiMills event nearly tripled that,bringing in $111,000. This year’s targetis to raise $144,000.Visit www.relayforlife.ca for more..of the project. The town’s festival andother fundraisers have added $10,000to this financial picture thus far.According to Brennan, the formerMurphy Building was built in 1986in honour of Dr. W.O. Murphy whopracticed in town for many years. Hisson John, who works in town, has longbeen supportive of the plans to buildsomething improved in its place.and handle non-domesticated animalsand shape behaviour using positivereinforcement. Troopers establish atrusting relationship with a parrot andtrain behaviours appropriate for theSALES. SERVICE. 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