Land of Illinois Parrot Rescue Urges ICU-Level Care Facility for Parrots

A pet recovery incubator, described by volunteers as an ICU for birds, is the top priority for Land of Illinois Parrot Rescue as the Covemaker family ramps up care and fundraising for local parrots. The incubator will provide warmth, oxygen, and short-term stabilization for sick birds until they can be transported to veterinary care, and the rescue says it is about $750 short of the community funding needed.

The incubator matters because veterinary options for avian emergencies are scarce in the region. Founder Ashley Covemaker said long drives to specialized care add stress to sick birds. "There is other vets, but you have to drive three, four hours, and that’s too much stress," Ashley said, explaining why on-site stabilization could make the difference between life and death for feathered patients.

Land of Illinois Parrot Rescue began when the Covemaker family started taking in parrots and needed a place to house them. The rescue, influenced by Iowa Parrot Rescue in Letts, has grown into one of the very few resources for parrots and their owners in the Quad Cities area. Beyond rehabilitation, the Covemakers emphasize education on proper bird care as part of their mission. "We live, eat, and breathe for these babies. We love them," Ashley said, underscoring the personal commitment behind the operation.

The incubator is framed as a straightforward clinical tool. "This ICU (intensive care unit) unit helps keep the birds warm, safe, and provides the birds oxygen. If we get a sick bird, it keeps the bird alive until we can get to the vet," Ashley said, explaining how the device bridges the gap between rescue intake and veterinary treatment.

The rescue is raising the remaining funds through a GoFundMe campaign. As of the most recent count, about $750 still needs to be raised to secure the pet recovery incubator. The shortfall represents a concrete, achievable target for community supporters who follow local bird care and rescue work.

Land of Illinois Parrot Rescue also plans to relocate closer to the Quad Cities to shorten travel time to veterinary services and to pursue recognition as a state-sanctioned non-profit. Donald Covemaker described the longer-term vision in practical terms: "So, we can actually have our own little sanctuary for the birds, and have a big area for them."

The need is immediate but specific: a single incubator could stabilize multiple urgent cases and reduce risky long drives. For now, Land of Illinois Parrot Rescue is asking neighbors and parrot caregivers to chip in via the GoFundMe and to watch for updates as the Covemakers work to move closer to veterinary care and expand sanctuary space.