Saving Sugar: A Giving Tuesday Campaign
2012
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2023
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Sugar: The Remarkable Journey of a Moluccan Cockatoo
Sugar is a stunning Moluccan cockatoo whose journey from despair to hope has inspired everyone at the Chloe Sanctuary. Her story is one of resilience, healing, and the extraordinary bond between humans and the animals they care for.
Sugar’s life took a tragic turn when her elderly caretakers, who deeply loved her, could no longer provide for her needs due to their own failing health. Faced with no other options, they sought someone who could give Sugar the care she desperately required. By then, Sugar had fallen into a severe cycle of self-mutilation—a heartbreaking behavior common in captive parrots who experience stress, anxiety, or frustration. Her feathers were ripped out, chewed, and bent, leaving her body a stark contrast to her beautiful face, which still radiated hope.
When I first met Sugar, she was confined to a small dog carrying cage, her fragile body tucked away but her spirit shining through. I had visited our veterinarian for routine checkups with two other cockatoos and left with three. I simply couldn’t turn my back on her. The alternative for Sugar—a facility where parrots like her would be hidden from public view with little chance to thrive—was unthinkable. She deserved a second chance, and I was determined to give it to her.
Caring for Sugar has been a journey of trial, error, and unyielding commitment. At first, I tried using Elizabethan collars to prevent her from self-mutilation, but she could not tolerate them. She screamed, struggled, and found ways to remove or destroy every collar, despite my attempts to modify them. In total, 13 different collars failed to stop her. I also experimented with various medications and diets, but nothing seemed to work. Compounding the challenge, Sugar refused to eat the fresh vegetables and nutritious mash she needed to regain her health.
After two years of persistence, I finally discovered the right combination of medication, enrichment, and care to stop her destructive behaviors. Her transformation has been extraordinary. Today, Sugar is thriving, her feathers fully regrown, and her unique personality shining through. She loves playing with toys, socializing with her flock, and basking in the love and care she receives every day. Her favorite moments involve social interaction, including her signature “beak petting” sessions that she adores.
Despite her progress, Sugar’s life requires meticulous care to keep her healthy and prevent a relapse. She takes medication twice a day to manage her behavior, requires constant mental stimulation through toys and interaction, and needs annual veterinary checkups to monitor her condition. These vet visits are no small feat—they involve a 14-hour round trip of over 800 miles to the specialist who has cared for her for more than a decade.
Sugar’s journey is a testament to the power of compassion and the resilience of an intelligent, loving creature. Her life is a reminder that even in the face of overwhelming challenges, with care and dedication, transformation is possible. She is a cherished member of the Chloe Sanctuary family and an ambassador for parrots everywhere who need a second chance at life.
Your support ensures that Sugar’s story continues—one filled with hope, health, and the love she deserves.
Sugar is a stunning Moluccan cockatoo whose journey from despair to hope has inspired everyone at the Chloe Sanctuary. Her story is one of resilience, healing, and the extraordinary bond between humans and the animals they care for.
Sugar’s life took a tragic turn when her elderly caretakers, who deeply loved her, could no longer provide for her needs due to their own failing health. Faced with no other options, they sought someone who could give Sugar the care she desperately required. By then, Sugar had fallen into a severe cycle of self-mutilation—a heartbreaking behavior common in captive parrots who experience stress, anxiety, or frustration. Her feathers were ripped out, chewed, and bent, leaving her body a stark contrast to her beautiful face, which still radiated hope.
When I first met Sugar, she was confined to a small dog carrying cage, her fragile body tucked away but her spirit shining through. I had visited our veterinarian for routine checkups with two other cockatoos and left with three. I simply couldn’t turn my back on her. The alternative for Sugar—a facility where parrots like her would be hidden from public view with little chance to thrive—was unthinkable. She deserved a second chance, and I was determined to give it to her.
Caring for Sugar has been a journey of trial, error, and unyielding commitment. At first, I tried using Elizabethan collars to prevent her from self-mutilation, but she could not tolerate them. She screamed, struggled, and found ways to remove or destroy every collar, despite my attempts to modify them. In total, 13 different collars failed to stop her. I also experimented with various medications and diets, but nothing seemed to work. Compounding the challenge, Sugar refused to eat the fresh vegetables and nutritious mash she needed to regain her health.
After two years of persistence, I finally discovered the right combination of medication, enrichment, and care to stop her destructive behaviors. Her transformation has been extraordinary. Today, Sugar is thriving, her feathers fully regrown, and her unique personality shining through. She loves playing with toys, socializing with her flock, and basking in the love and care she receives every day. Her favorite moments involve social interaction, including her signature “beak petting” sessions that she adores.
Despite her progress, Sugar’s life requires meticulous care to keep her healthy and prevent a relapse. She takes medication twice a day to manage her behavior, requires constant mental stimulation through toys and interaction, and needs annual veterinary checkups to monitor her condition. These vet visits are no small feat—they involve a 14-hour round trip of over 800 miles to the specialist who has cared for her for more than a decade.
Sugar’s journey is a testament to the power of compassion and the resilience of an intelligent, loving creature. Her life is a reminder that even in the face of overwhelming challenges, with care and dedication, transformation is possible. She is a cherished member of the Chloe Sanctuary family and an ambassador for parrots everywhere who need a second chance at life.
Your support ensures that Sugar’s story continues—one filled with hope, health, and the love she deserves.
