May2013_OLD MILL VET SURGERY PET OF THE MONTH

If you’ve ever visited Old Mill Pet & Livestock Supplies, then you would have met our charismatic Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Georgie.  She might have asked you for a scratch, greeted you with a very cheery ‘Hello!’ or simply whistled at you, or it may have sounded like there is a little yappy dog in her cage!  Georgie thrives on the interaction with visitors every day, and it’s very important for her stimulation.

Georgie came into our care a few years ago, suffering from a serious condition that has only two options: surgery or euthanasia.  Georgie’s previous owners could not afford the surgery, so she was signed over to the Old Mill Veterinary Surgery and Dr Annika Oksa performed the surgery for free to save Georgie’s life.

Georgie has always been unable to fly, as she spent her previous 26 years on an incorrect diet and in a cage so small that it was barely suitable for a budgie.  She was also captive bred, hence would not know how to fend for herself in the wild.  Georgie now enjoys sharing her time between her enormous cage in the Old Mill Pet & Livestock Supplies barn, or on the shoulders of staff.  She has a real soft spot for men (particularly Dr Slade!) and has a quirky, inquisitive personality.  She eats a high quality premium diet, and still has the odd sunflower seed as a treat.  She also gets to run around the house of Dr Slade, and is clearly the boss of all the cats and dogs. 

Some misinformed well-meaning locals have tried to break into her cage to release Georgie over the last couple of months but this is highly dangerous for her as there are plenty of cars in the carpark, with big dogs on the backs of the utes, and as we mentioned, she can’t fly. 

Please stop and say hi to Georgie when you next visit the barn.