Dear Pet Parents!

This is Ola from Projekt Ptasia Edukacja (Project Avian Education). Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, I've been trying to reach every Ukrainian parront (parrot parent) in need and to do everything in my might to help.

What do we do?

People in Poland are very determined to help - never in my life have I seen this country being so united and so dedicated to any cause. There's a lot of organizations and small parties helping animals, however there's none that focuses on birds. We have little to no information on parrots and birds parents. As a parrothead and avian animal worker, I'm striving to change that.

This Friday (4th of March) I will be going to the Polish-Ukrainian border with other Polish parrot lovers I've met during the organisation of this initiative. We're planning to visit multiple border crossings to cover as many refugee gathering points as possible. We will be looking for parrot parents in need of help as well as giving out pet supplies. As many refugees seem to have very limited access to the Internet, I'm also planning to bulk-print simple posters and leaflets about the help, along with my contact info. I am ready to provide anything needed, along with a free veterinary care, transportation and safe places to stay with the birds - Projekt has a long list of volunteers offering their apartments, rooms and hotels to the refugees in pretty much all big Polish cities.

For those who can't come but want to secure their birds - there's a lot of volunteers (including experienced parrot lovers) ready to provide temporary homes. As I know it's extremely stressful to entrust your beloved baby to strangers, I am ready to provide a legal contract/agreement for emergency temporary help (NOT relinquishing/giving away the pet!) with my full personal info as stated in my ID.

Why the fundraiser?

To be completely honest, I'm now even sure what to write here. I was going to buy all the supplies I can afford, but a lot of beautiful parrot people are asking me how can they donate to the cause. I will be buying stuff anyway, but my personal savings are - sadly and obviously - limited, and more money means more supplies.

What will this fundraiser cover?

I'm planning to buy:

• antibiotics
• basic medicines (painkillers, anti-inflammatory, disinfectants, antipyreptics, charcoal + bandages, gauzes etc.)
• pet food (priority: bird food)
• basic carriers or safe plastic boxes
• foil rescue blankets
• powerbanks that I will precharge
• lightweight, shelf-stable food, ie. rice, dry pasta, cereal
• drinking water if the car's carrying capacity allows

When?

We're going to the border this Friday (4th March) and returning on Saturday (5th March) as I can't leave my own babies alone for longer than that.

What about parronts stuck in Kiev?

They're the main priority of the journey to the border and this fundraiser as well. As Kiev is currently under siege, it's extremely difficult to reach, but I've managed to contact a pet parent from Kiev who is in a dire need of a big stock of food for her dogs. We will meet at the border with the pet food she needs - and she will collect the emergency package for parronts from Kiev and deliver it to them on her way back home.

What about the credibility of this fundraiser? Will it work as intended?

As the situation is critical and changes everyday, sadly to worse, it is extremely difficult to arrange such a transport. I will most probably have to cross the border - which is okay. I hope everything will go as planned and I am tremendously dedicated to delivering our fellow parronts the crucial supplies, however it's impossible to predict what will be the situation in Kiev.

To make sure everything is clear - I oblige to publish all the shopping receipts so everyone can check them. I will try to post some photos of the bought goods and the situation at the border as well.

While the parrots are our priority, there's no information at all about how many avian refugees there are. Therefore we will be providing help to other pet parents too if we have some spare supplies. If you'd like to sponsor something or someone in particular (for example: only birds, only medicines, 10 packages of food etc.) - please attach the description in the comment while donating and I will make sure to keep the promise. If you wish - I can also write your best wishes on the sponsored items. If there's anything else you'd like to do - please let me know in private message on Facebook (Ola Borowiec, same avatar as here). This is your initiative as well and we're acting as a group now so please feel free :)

Can I donate after Saturday, when you'll be back from the border?

Yes! There are two scenarios, depending of the situation at the border - if there are many parronts in need, I will arrange a second transport, most probably in the next week. If there aren't - collected money will be transferred to one of the other pet fundraisers (again - please let me know in the comment if you have any preferences).