Meet The Residents

This is a brief biography of our HSHAR Residents.
Please visit the “Featured Animal of the Month” column on our Home Page for a detailed Biography.

Please note that all of these animals are available to be sponsored in the "Sponsor An Animal" section of our website.

Macushi is a gorgeous Scarlet Macaw. She was hatched on February 16, 2006. The first two years of her life she went everywhere with her previous owner. Unfortunately, her former owner moved out of the place where they were living and left the bird behind. I am sure the last two years have been difficult for Macushi, although her physical needs have been met her social interactions were very limited. These are large, powerful birds that can easily intimidate their owner.

Macushi lacks confidence and strikes out when scared. We are confident that with time and patience we will be able to handle her with relative ease. We are very happy to welcome her to our rescue family.

Echo, is a bantam rooster. He arrived at HSHAR on March 14, 2010. His owner was unable to keep this cute little guy. What Echo lacks in size he more than makes up for in “rooster”agility. He is the tiniest rooster that I have ever seen with his large red comb standing so straight on his small silver gray frame. His previous owner wanted to make sure that he would go to a place where he would be well cared for, since his size was such a concern.

Echo was raised with WOW. We felt confident that given ample space these two roosters would be able to coexist. All is working out just fine.

Harriet is a bantam hen. Harriet came from the same owner as WOW and Echo. The previous owner was very concerned that Echo have a hen more his size. I am not sure that is possible since he is so small. Harriet arrived with WOW on March 7, 2010 knowing Echo was soon to follow. Harriet, WOW and Echo have all settled in with our established hens Layla and Chabo.

Wilbur Orville Wright arrived at HSHAR on March 7, 2010. His former owner was unable to keep this handsome rooster. He arrived with a bantam hen named Harriet. Another rooster, Echo, soon to followed. WOW got his name when he proceeded to fly to a height of 6 feet after we trimmed his wings. It seemed only fitting to name him after the Wright brothers.

**Roosters are very territorial and will fight to the death to protect their territory and hens. There is ample room in this enclosure for them to keep their distance from each other when they choose.

Brandy

Brandy is a Boer goat. We took ownership of Brandy and her herd mate, Jim Bob, on January 29, 2010. They are extremely bonded. Brandy protects Jim Bob from danger. Jim was close to the fence when a dog appeared on the other side, Brandy charged the fence scaring the dog away. When Jim Bob went for his much needed hoof trim and neutering, Brandy called and called for him while he was gone. The next day when he came back she ran right over to him and started eating - she refused to eat while he was gone. It is very heart warming to watch these two together. Brandy is a very important part of Jim's rehabilitation process.

Bwende

Bwende is a 6 year old African Grey parrot. On November 7, 2009 his owner rushed him to an Animal Emergency Clinic. Bwende's right leg was bitten off by a dog. The owner was informed of the options. Rehabilitation of this bird could be costly and time consuming with no guarantees. Due to unforeseen circumstances the owner did not feel that he was prepared for this. The owner was faced with a difficult decision which was to euthanize the bird and reluctantly that decision was made. However, there was another option and we were called to take the bird. Of course we would take this bird, rehabilitation is a big part of what we do. Bwende has inspired us beyond belief. He teaches us that disabilities are not disabling. This little bird's CAN DO attitude is infectious. He continues to amaze us on a daily basis.

Cassie

Cassie is a Blue & Gold Macaw. Cassie's owner has health issues which forced her to search for a new home for Cassie. This agonizing decision to rehouse this family member of 32 years was not taken lightly. After all other options to keep Cassie in their home were exhausted it was decided that we would take her.

Cassie was greeted with a warm and enthusiastic "Hi, Hello, Hi" from Rio our other Blue & Gold Macaw. Within minutes they were communicating in true macaw fashion screaming back and forth. This behavior is encouraged since that is all part of being a macaw.

Just prior to Cassie's arrival she started feather plucking. We hope that as she settles in and adjusts to her new surroundings that she with stop this behavior. We welcome Cassie to HSHAR as enthusiastically as Rio did.

Rio

Rio is a 5 year old Blue & Gold Macaw. He was removed from his previous home where he had suffered from severe neglect. His beak is overgrown and his feathers are dull and tattered. He has had very little socialization. He was housed in a very small cage and had no toys to play with. Rio came to HSHAR on July 13, 2009. He is currently undergoing treatment for his overgrown beak and receiving lots of socialization and interaction. Rio now has in a large cage with lots of toys and is allowed time out of his cage with supervision.

Arnold

Arnold is a Vietnamese pot bellied pig crossbreed. He was 4 months old when he came into HSHAR in August 2009. He was surrendered because his owners no longer wanted him, most likely because he was a boar (un-neutered male). A boar is very "amorous" with anything or anyone they come in contact with. He now is a barrow (neutered male) and is cute as can be with one blue eye and one dark colored eye. Arnold comes when you call his name and is housebroken. He is very sweet and very smart (pigs are said to be the fourth smartest animal).

Gitu

Gitu, is a Goffin’s Cockatoo. She was confiscated during a hoarding raid. Gitu, was housed with 47 other animals in an unoccupied mobile home in the middle of 5 acres. Her owners came to feed the animals 2 to 3 times a week. They never cleaned the cages and the house was filthy.

Batwa

Batwa, is an African Grey Parrot. Batwa was walking down the street when a passerby picked him up and brought him to a local animal shelter. He had previously broken his left leg. He had not received medical attention for this injury. This left him with a severe disability.

Braveheart

Braveheart, a Quaker Parrot, was about four days old when she and her nest mate came to live at HSHAR. The tree that housed their nest was chopped down, leaving them homeless. When they were old enough her nest mate was adopted. Braveheart, however had sustained an injury to her right front toe that required ongoing medical treatments. The decision was made to care for her here. Braveheart is doing well now. She is a typical feisty Quaker.

Sampson

Sampson, is an African Pygmy mix. He was about six months old when he took up residence here. His sister drown in a swimming pool. After that Sampson’s family no longer wanted him.

Darby

Darby, is an Alpine goat. She was disbudded (horns were removed) prior to her arrival. She is the only dehorned goat that we have.
Darby’s owner’s Homeowner’s Association doesn’t allow farm animals. Darby’s owners surrendered her to the local animal shelter. She was too young to go in with the shelter’s herd, so she came to us.

Chloe

Chloe, is a African Pygmy doe. At three weeks old we were her fourth and final home. She was taken from her mother at one week old and sold. Chloe was suffering from coccidiosis (parasitic disease). After she received the medical care that she needed, she was very cautiously introduced into the herd.

Effie

Effie, is a Spanish Meat goat. Effie was left at the local animal control one cold night in February. She was suffering from coccidiosis, upper respiratory infection, conjunctivitis, anemia and giardia. Effie was about seven weeks old at the time. HSHAR decided to take her since we were able to provide the medical attention that was required to nurse her back to health. She had to be quarantined from all other goats. We had to use caution when we handled her since giardia is a zoonotic disease (transmittable to humans).

Cali

Cali, is a Nubian crossbreed. She was hours away from death when SPCA Tampa Bay called us. Cali was about four weeks old and at the low end of newborn weight, 6.2 pounds. She had no desire to eat or drink. She had all but given up, but we wouldn’t give up. Ten days after the initial vet visit she weighed in at 9.3 pounds. Cali had increased her weight by 50%. It took several months but Cali has recovered from her rough start in life.

Noel

Noel, is a Tennessee Fainting goat mix. Noel’s herd was attacked by the family dog, only Noel survived. She had sustained some injuries and required medical attention. Noel’s owner was unable to keep her and asked if we would take her, and we did. Noel, has recovered from her wounds. She is the dominant doe in the herd.

Layla

Layla, is a barnyard variety hen. We believe that she is part New Hampshire Red. Layla and her sister Amelia came to live here at HSHAR after their owner gave them to the local animal shelter. Layla was very people shy. We would try and feed her treats from our hand to encourage her to come to us. Eventually this paid off. Layla, comes when she is called. She thinks nothing of walking up to us and getting a treat.

Chabo

Chabo, is a Japanese Bantam hen. She was with Rudy searching for food at a farm near the Withlachoochee State Forest. They had been there for several days. Wildlife from the Forest tends to prey on such animals. This was the case for the other two of the hens in Rudy’s flock. We were able to rescue Rudy and Chabo.

It is more common than you think for people to release their unwanted animals in the Forest. The animal's chance for survival is slim to none.