About Us
Though I’d had parrots before, it wasn’t until my teenage years I immersed myself in the world of birds and delved into researching the Psittacine spectrum. Years after, I’m proud to say I’m the “parront” of 6 crazy feathered kids, 5 of whom are rescued/rehomed. In fact, all of my pets are rescued or rehomed animals adopted from situations in which they were neglected, or on a more positive side - were found a new home based on the owner’s inability to care for them properly. Nonetheless, I specialize in caring for parrots and am always thrilled when new parront clients find me!
I volunteer full time for an American Eskimo dog rescue called Eskie Rescuers United. I am the Rocky Mountain Regional Director for ERU and spend my volunteer time processing applications (adopters, foster homes, & volunteers); completing home visits; rescuing dogs from shelters; transporting rescue dogs; organizing and attending events; and most importantly fostering rescued dogs. I have fostered a special needs puppy named Milo since September of 2008 (you can read about Milo below) and occasionally foster other dogs for short periods of time.
Petcetera’s creation marked the fruition of a long-time dream to own my own business while committing my life to professional pet care. I’ve always been happiest when caring for my menagerie (see below); I knew I’d be even happier ensuring that the pets of Colorado share the same quality life as my own. I’m one of the only pet sitters that specializes in caring for parrots and I am proud that my life experience with birds has given me that gift. I’m blessed to have a job that I love, working with animals who I cherish as much as my own.
- Heather Schriefer
Max is my wonderful husband of more than 6 years! During the busy holiday seasons I may enlist his help in accommodating the needs of my client base. At home he helps care for our dogs, parrots, and small animals. Max has been a pet owner most of his life. Much like myself, animals seem to be drawn to Max and his calm demeanor sets them at ease. Without his help, tending to Oliver the guinea pigs’ torn toenail would not have gone so smoothly! All clients are able to meet Max before enlisting his help to care for their pets. You won’t be disappointed! (I married the guy, after all!)
Foster Dogs
Milo - ERU rescued Milo at 9 weeks of age from a local shelter. (He’s now 2!) Due to poor breeding and malnutrition in the first weeks of his life, Milo is blind in one eye and has suffered permanent brain damage that causes seizures and mental retardation. As horrible as this sounds, Milo is lucky in that he is an otherwise healthy, happy little boy. He is completely oblivious to the fact that he is different and that allows him to have a pretty great life! Milo takes two medications twice daily to control his seizures (Phenobarbital and Potassium Bromide). Since he is still a growing boy, he outgrows his dosages; thus, we’re still working to find the correct amount of medication to prevent his seizures entirely. Of course, there is the possibility that he will have seizures for the rest of his life, and because of his brain damage we can not predict how long his life will be. Milo’s mental retardation prevents him from understanding potty training - this means that he will likely never know not to “go” in the house, and his blindness (partial) makes stairs a challenge.
These are the worst of Milo’s problems. The majority of the time, Milo is a happy puppy playing in our big backyard with his brother and sister. He loves to jump like a kangaroo and pull on Echo’s tail. He recognizes my husband and I as his people and will lick our faces. He will often lace through our legs like a cat, or sit up against our feet. He sleeps in a special soft crate next to our bed (in case he has a seizure at night or goes potty). He may not be as smart as other dogs, but we believe that he lives a happy life without much care. Milo will never be placed up for adoption and is a permanent foster dog in our home. He has his own YouTube page and is available to be sponsored through ERU. Milo visits the vet frequently to check his medicine levels and is usually in need of towels or other necessities to make his life easier.
Meet My Menagerie!
Evo, 3 year old American Eskimo mix. Originally a kill shelter puppy, he was rescued and transported by an anonymous person to a second shelter in upstate NY. Adopted at 4 months old, he invigorated the joys and trials of bringing up pup with an optimistic, positive energy. Evo is our pack leader (second to Mom) and keeps a watchful eye on us all. He’s extremely affectionate with his people, but wary of strangers. We aren’t sure what Evo is mixed with, but we don’t care 
He’s a handsome boy isn’t he?
Echo, 5 year old American Eskimo mix Princess (yes, “princess” is included in her pedigree!). Adopted from a previous owner, Echo steals hearts easily, is sometimes shy around men, enjoys laying like a baby while having her belly rubbed, and is the ultimate door bell, if you prefer barking over the sound of tinkling chimes. Since there are 6 parrots in the house, Echo’s barking doesn’t amount to much; she has a hard time drowning out the macaw.
Panzer, 4.5 year old Hahn’s mini macaw (also known as a red-shouldered macaw). Panzer went through 3 different environments before she came to me nearly four years ago (breeder, bird store, & her previous owner’s home). She has severe trust issues, can bite fiercely, and loves to scream at the top of her lungs. Time and patience have been key in helping her learn to trust again, and to break some of her louder habits. She’s happy to cuddle with me from time to time, but I believe it will take many more years before Panzer heals from the emotional wounds of her past. She has a forever home here - no matter how long it takes, she’ll know she has a safe place to grow.
Pocky is a 6 year old Senegal that I adopted before her previous owner went off to college. Though I believe Pocky’s former mom cared for her very much, Pocky was in need of some upgrades - a budgie-sized cage for this little girl just wouldn’t do!! Pocky’s quality of life has increased steadily over the years, but she’s adamant about one thing - men. She doesn’t care for them and screams at most, but with the ladies? Pocky is a girl’s best friend, and I’m honored to be her partner in crime.
Bonzai!, 4 year old green cheek conure. Originally from a breeder in upstate NY, Bonzai’s former owner rehomed her when Bonzai failed to get along with her small children (she was “too bitey.”). Bonzai has proven to be anything but aggressive, although she IS a GCC, a species known for being prone to nibble. Bonzai is the most out-going of the flock and is the first to hop out of her cage and parade around the top. She’s hen of the house, though the tiniest of the flock, and as nutty as her name suggests!
Miso is my only pet who has not been rescued or rehomed. She was a gift (which is usually a poor idea) and purchased from a specialty parrot store in Penfield, NY called Birds Unlimited. Miso is 3 and is Bonzai!’s best friend and cage mate. Like Bonzai! she is a green cheek conure, but of the cinnamon color mutation. Miso and Bonzai! adore each other - the addition of Miso has certainly increased the volume in my house, but if it makes Bonzai! happy I don’t mind at all!!
Howie is a 7 year old Congo African Grey who I rehomed from a troubled family. A gift from husband to wife, Howie’s mom found that she did not have the time she felt necessary to give Howie while raising two human children of her own. Like Pocky, Howie has a preference for women and does not like to be pet anywhere but on his head. Though he came to me with a slight feather-picking problem, a larger cage, healthier diet, and more stimulating environment seem to have helped alleviate the stress that induced the plucking. It’s been extremely rewarding seeing Howie progress, and I’m sure he appreciates having a healthy, comfortable home.
Pongo is a male red-rumped parakeet who I took in over the summer (2009). A failed breeder, Pongo’s mate died years ago and he was presently spending his days on a sun porch with his cockatiel friends. He now resides in the bird room with his new birdie family in a large flight cage with room to stretch his wings. He loves to sing and spends his days doing so. At 7 years of age, Pongo has nearly reached his predicted life-span of 10. Let’s hope he stays with us for longer than that!!
Dobby is a very special kind of guy. Firstly, he’s a degu, an “exotic” rodent from Chile which has become popular in the United States in the past few years. Although I’m not sure of Dobby’s humble beginnings, I imagine that he was the offspring of a pair of Degu purchased at a local pet store in Ithaca, NY. Dobby’s previous owner was a busy college student and wanted a better life for Dobby (formerly named Dale). Dobby loves Timothy Hay and running on his wheel. He is shy to be handled, but enjoys socializing with me from inside his cage. Degu make sweet chirping sounds to let you know their happy, and since Dobby is often chirping when he sees me (probably because he knows the hay is coming) I think he’s happy being a part of our family.
Oliver and his brother Wendell were adopted nearly three years ago after being rehomed due to their owners health issues. Sadly, Wendell passed away in September of 2009 due to complications from old age and pneumonia. Oliver is doing okay and continue to lives up to his “pig” moniker - he eats like there’s no tomorrow! Carrots, lettuce, celery, timothy hay, pellets - you name it, he’ll eat it, and he’ll squeal the minute he hears it coming - just like baby pigs of the barnyard kind!
Holmes is Oliver’s new baby brother, a handsome Peruvian baby who will one day have long hair like his predecessor Wendell. (Obviously I adore long-haired piggies!) Holmes was born in August of 2009 and is growing like a weed. Oliver took to Holmes very quickly and I’m content to have made the decision to pair Oliver with a new friend. Holmes has a lot of spunk, just what Oliver needs in his life! He’s certainly helped both Oliver and I heal from the loss of Wendell.
In Memoriam -Pets I’ve Lost
Wendell
My sweet Wendell passed away September 02, 2009 due to complications from pneumonia and old age. He may have had cancer as well, but the vet found it difficult to determine even with an x-ray. Wendell was a Texel guinea pig. Because of his long golden locks, Wendell required regular bathing and grooming. Bedding like aspen and pine shavings got stuck in his luxurious locks too easily. Wendell was the sweetest guinea pig I’ve ever met. He always behaved well for his grooming, even while having his nails clipped. I miss him dearly and decided to make his resting place in our back yard, under a stone memorial and a large tree.
Birdee passed away on November 13, 2007 at the age of 12. Because of Birdee, I began joining online parrot communities and learned the priceless knowledge of parrots that I have today. Because of Birdee, I learned about proper avian diets, toys, perches, cage sizing, feather-picking . . . Because of Birdee, I was confident enough in my knowledge that my flock began to grow. Birdee was always the “Grandpa” of my flock, the shy little old man who chose when he wanted to be social. He loved occasional bits of cheese and the snuggle toy that our friends at BirdyBooty made for him. Losing Birdee was extremely difficult for me, especially since his death was so unexpected - necropsy results were inconclusive; we believe Birdee died of a stroke. I miss him so much and think of him every day. He has a memorial spot in the bed room, where we can see his photographs and remember everything we loved about our special friend.
Hammy became known during his time with me as the “million dollar hamster.” Adopted from a college student whose living circumstances prevented Hammy from coming along, only weeks after Hammy found his new home with us he began growing a tumor on his abdomen. After several weeks, the tumor was removed and Hammy seemed to be healing perfectly, until his abdomen became distended and swollen. Further veterinary care revealed that Hammy’s abdomen was full of fluid - the only way to find out the specific cause was invasive surgery, which probably would have killed him. Instead, we elected to have the fluid drained - 50mgs!! We knew that draining the fluid would not save Hammy’s life, but extend it.
The vet always gave Hammy a poor prognosis - they didn’t expect him to make it through the first week we took him in for the abdominal swelling. After the first drainage, they projected he wouldn’t last more than a few weeks, but Hammy lived over a month. Unfortunately, his tumor began to grow back during that time and his will seemed to diminish. We had to make the difficult decision to euthanize Hammy; I could not put Hammy through biweekly drainage sessions and tumor surgery for weeks on end - I didn’t feel that Hammy would want that either.
We invested over $700 in vet care for Hammy and I will never regret that decision. Veterinary care for any pet is mandatory to ensure a healthy life, or to end it humanely. Please seek medical care for your pet - annual exams are a great way to start
© Copyright 2009, Heather Schriefer, Petcetera Pet Sitting Services.