This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
08/28/2019 09:22 AMAllison Sloane wanted to make it easy for those who wish to help the exotic birds and reptiles rescued by The Pandemonium Project. Sloane, owner of Ashleigh’s Garden in Deep River, just opened a new thrift shop, the proceeds of which will all go to the 501(c)(3) non-profit.
The thrift shop, aptly named the Pandemonium Thrift Shop, is a 1,000 square foot space adjacent to Ashleigh’s Garden at 500 Main Street, Unit 4, Deep River. It will sell a wide variety of items, with the exception of large furniture, televisions, and outdated electronics.
“We are so excited about this new thrift store as a way to help fund the non-profit,” said Sloane, who has been helping exotic animals in need for the past 20-plus years.
Sloane explained that caring for exotic birds and reptiles started when Ashleigh’s Garden was located in Centerbrook in the location that is now home to Dunkin Donuts.
“A man came in one day and dropped off a macaw and just said he didn’t want it anymore,” said Sloane. “And that was the beginning.”
She added, “I love all animals, but unfortunately its these exotic animals that seem to slip through the cracks, so I wanted to find away to help and care for the ones that were in bad situations.”
She explained that one of the birds now currently in her care came from a home where the owners were alcoholics; the bird, too, was addicted to alcohol. It had to go through detox, just like a person, and it shook and had withdrawals. It also would only say “Bad bird,” most likely because that was all it heard. However, now the bird is happy, healthy, and affectionately refers to itself as “good bird.”
“It truly is a beautiful thing to be able to take in a sick animal and bring it back to health and give it the life it deserves to have. It’s a wonderful experience to watch the transformation and to be part of that,” said Sloane. “These animals are amazing. They are smart and funny, loving and social, and unfortunately they sometimes end up in the hands of people who just should not be caring for them, either because they don’t know how to properly or they have gotten them in the wrong way.”
Sloane explained that macaws especially are very often found in drug-related situations, because they are used as currency in drug trades.
“It’s awful and we want to find a better life for these animals,” said Sloane. “In most cases we are literally rescuing them from death’s door.”
All proceeds from the new thrift will go to do just that. The Pandemonium Project not only cares and rehabilitates the birds and reptiles, but also does outreach educational programs in hopes of spreading the word about proper care and of these animals. The non-profit’s goal is to properly educate others so there will be fewer sick and wounded animals.
With an avian vet who makes house calls for the rescue, which is currently housed partially in the back of Ashleigh’s Garden and partially at Sloane’s house, the rescue is able to provide the specialized care needed for these animals, which currently include 36 birds who have found their homes with Sloane.
The thrift store is the first step of many for the non-profit. There are plans to open a facility in Waterford, which will not only be a place to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome exotic animals, but also be a educational headquarters where visitors can come, get up close, and learn about the animals and their natural habitats.
The Pandemonium Thrift Shop is open for shopping and donation drop-off on Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 860-767-2889 or visit www.pandemoniumrainforestproject.org.