CU students volunteer at parrot rescue

To some people, adopting an exotic animal such as a parrot may seem like a cool thing to do, however, many don’t realize how difficult it is to raise one.

One student explains the difficulty of taking care of a parrot. “It’s a lot harder than people think, the diet, and maintenance makes raising a parrot really hard,” said Aspen Laine.

Because it is so difficult to raise parrots, many are neglected, which lead Julie Murad to create The Gabriel Foundation.

The foundation, located in Elizabeth, southeast of Castle Rock, is much more than a parrot rescue. It is home to over 600 exotic birds that have been neglected or left behind.

It is a rescue, rehabilitation, conservation and educational outreach organization. Murad, founder and CEO, has been involved with exotic birds for over 30 years.

She works to promote the welfare of the parrots and is always seeking volunteers, especially college students. Julie said, “The Gabriel Foundation has volunteers of all ages, but we love having college students come down to care for the animals and learn about the center.”

The foundation relies on sponsors and contributions from those who are willing to give. A lot of parrots that are sent to the rescue come with no financial help to cover vet bills and testing.

If you’re interested in volunteering, becoming a member or giving a donation, visit www.thegabrielfoundation.org or contact The Gabriel Foundation at 303-629-5900.