Barbara and Her Birds
California is known for having devastating wildfires that can burn uncontrollably and destroy everything in their path.
After the Santa Clarita wildfire destroyed her home, Barbara found herself homeless for nearly two years while caring for her two 25-year-old bird “children,” Jericho and Boo.
Barbara lost her home, belongings, and other Cockatoos in her family to the fire. Everything was lost except for Jericho and Boo. With no insurance to cover her losses, Barbara was eventually forced to live unhoused on the streets with her two remaining companions.
Project Street Vet works with several community partners across California to help identify pet parents experiencing homelessness or in transitional housing who may need our help. The People Concern and K9 Connection reached out to us about a couple of dogs in need of care. While visiting their transitional housing facility in Santa Monica, we heard about Barbara and her birds. Even though Dr. Kwane isn’t an avian veterinarian, he couldn't resist meeting Barbara, Jericho, and Boo.
After introductions, Barbara proceeded to tell us her remarkable story. For the past two years, she was able to survive all elements of homelessness while keeping her family safe. She would use tarp to cover them when it rained, had help from some generous local police officers, and Jericho and Boo helped her mentally and emotionally throughout their journey. If she was feeling anxious or lonely, they could sense it and help to calm her. Through the help of her community, Barbara and her birds were able to get into transitional housing with the hopes of getting into a permanent residence.
We discovered that Barbara needed to get a set of avian tests for her birds to deem them healthy and increase her chances of getting into permanent housing. The tests are expensive, and Barbara had understandably struggled to save the money it would require. Project Street Vet was able to get Jericho and Boo to a well-known avian veterinarian, Dr. Evan Antin, who performed the tests for us. Thankfully, both Jericho and Boo checked out great.
A few weeks later, we learned that Barbara, Jericho, and Boo got into a permanent housing! Thanks to our supporters, Project Street Vet was able to play a helping hand in this family’s inspirational story.
