The Black Hills Parrot Welfare & Education Center in Belle Fourche is having its 4th Annual Festival this weekend. The center is a rescue facility for homeless, sick, and abused exotic birds. Organizers say the parrot festival is the shelters biggest fundraiser. Proceeds go to help keep the shelter’s doors open and to help with medical bills for sick birds.
Avian specialist and shelter co-founder Greg Poulain says donations of money, supplies, and time are always welcome.
“We don’t have any paid staff – every single person here is volunteer. We log over ten-thousand volunteer hours a year in the facility. It takes a lot of time just to care for the birds. Mornings consist of about four volunteers and about three and a half hours just to feed, water, clean cages, and that gets done every single day, even when we’re not open to the public,” says Poulain.
Poulain says this weekend’s festivities are a great educational opportunity for the whole family to learn more about exotic birds. He adds that festivities include prominent avian expert guest speakers from across the nation. The event also includes raptor displays, food, and a raffle. Even the Flying Elvi’s from Las Vegas are skydiving in to help the cause and will be making appearances throughout the day. The ten-member team performs at events nationwide and is featured in the movie Honeymoon in Vegas. The public is invited to attend.
For more information contact the Black Hills Parrot Welfare & Education Center at 605-892-2336 or at bhparrotwelfare@yahoo.com. You can also visit their website at www.blackhillsparrotwelfare.org.
