Natalie Savino, Hume Leader
April 9, 2013 12:00am
THANKFULLY for the owners of eight-year-old cockatoo Kokita, help was not too far away when the little bird got its feathers in a ruffle.
Kokita required surgery for a wound it sustained after pulling out its feathers, but owner Olga Romero was struggling to finance the operation.
However Kokita is now on the mend following assistance from the Pet Medical Crisis Fund. Ms Romero’s neighbour Rebecca Poole helped secure the funds for Ms Romero.
The fund was established about three years ago by nurse Jennifer Hunt, who dealt with almost $30,000 in surgery costs for her dog.
She decided to assist other pet owners who couldn’t afford the cost of emergency care for their animals.
The fund relies on donations from the community and last year, it helped around 55 families save their pets.
Ms Romero took Kokita in when its former owner passed away.
The cockatoo had six visits to the vet as well as four anaesthetics with treatments, and had his bandages and neck collar removed in late February.
About $300 was contributed by the fund.