Blogs

Mickaboo Holiday Party Challenge Grant - 12/3/2016 only!

Final update: Thanks to your collective generosity, we raised $3,637 in the Holiday Party Challenge Grant. That amount will pay for about 3 days' veterinary expenses at our now-current rate. Our birds and our volunteers appreciate your contributions!

The Mickaboo Holiday Party Challenge Grant has begun! Sienna

Inspired by #GivingTuesday, a generous donor is sponsoring this Challenge Grant. For every $2 donated now online or in person until 9 pm Pacific Time today, $1 will be given to Mickaboo by the donors, until we have raised $5,000 (when matching funds run out). With this financial help, we will be able to pay for the vet exams of about 25 birds - a wonderful gift.

If you're at or coming to the party - consider donating there. Watch our thermometer chart!

If you can't come and want to help birds like Sienna (cockatiel pictured with a wing cast) - give online during the same timeframe, now until 9 pm today. We will update our Facebook page throughout the party. Stay tuned!

Bird Toon of the Day - December 2, 2016

Loose Parts from December 4, 2015. Oh, those clever vultures ...

Bird Toon of the Day - December 1, 2016

This is from six years ago, apparently part of a series (since it has a month-day date) but I can't find any information on a strip name, etc. Enjoy anyway!

Bird Toon of the Day - November 30, 2016

We close the month with a toon that delivers the bird joke verbally. Info on the strip after the jump.

The strip is Frazz; for those of you unfamiliar with it, the title is a nickname for the character of Edwin Frazier, the elementary school janitor pictured in the second panel. He's actually much smarter than the job would imply, but he took it in order to have time for songwriting and marathon running. The kids realize this and relate to him at something akin to peer level. The young black kid in this strip (from one year ago today) is Caulfield, an eight-year-old with the highest intelligence level of the bunch and the most frequent child seen. Enjoy!

Bird Toon of the Day - November 29, 2016

From five years ago today, Speed Bump with what turned out to be something akin to an accurate prediction:

#GivingTuesday Matching Gift Day!

11/29/2016 1:12 pm PT update:

Matching funds have run out! THANKS to YOUR incredible generosity, and the matching funds, we have raised a total of $17K. That's about half of an average month's vet bills - woohoo!

Our volunteers and birds are incredibly thankful to you. We hope to see many of you at our upcoming Holiday Party in Alameda on December 3!

11/29/2016 7:22 am PT update:

Because of YOUR collective generosity - and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation matching gift funds! - we have raised $10,725 so far! That's about 1/3 of our average monthly vet bills - so wonderful! There remains $130K in funds to match YOUR gift (up to $1000) at 50%. Please consider giving before the matching funds run out - and get yourself a tax deduction to boot! Rescued parakeets

Here is a picture of more of the birds involved in this month's aviary rescue. Giving now makes your donation go further. Our volunteers and the birds we help thank you for considering.

11/28/2016 11:05 pm PT update:
Thanks to some very generous donors, the funds raised so far (including matching funds) total slightly less than $10K! WOW! There remains over $300K in matching funds, and your gifts (up to $1000) are matched at 50%. Rescued Rosellas

Here is a picture of some of the rosellas involved in the this month's aviary rescue. Please help us help them with your donation while matching funds remain - the giving link is here.

We and our birds appreciate your generosity!

GlobalGiving is offering a 50% match on donations made from now (11/28/16) until 9 pm PT tomorrow (Tuesday 11/29/16), up to the first $1 million raised

Rescued Rosellas on GlobalGiving as a whole! Make a difference in your community - get a tax deduction at the same time - by going to this donation page before the matching funds run out.

A recent rescue shows how your dollars have an impact: An elderly man recently passed away, leaving behind an aviary with over 40 birds. His family asked Mickaboo to take the birds, which included rosellas, Rosy Bourke's parakeets, finches, lovebirds, and budgerigars. About 20 Mickaboo volunteers participated in caring for, catching, transporting, and providing temporary or permanent housing for these beautiful birds, many of whom are currently receiving medical attention.

Thank you for your generosity - we could not do what we do without you! Watch this space for updates on our fundraising progress!

P.S. As of this typing, about $364K of the $500K in matching funds are still available. Donate now before the matching funds are gone!