Well, my mom has been involved with a parrot rescue orginazation for several years. Generally their efforts are focused on voluntary relinquishments from neglectful and/or abusive homes. They then arrange foster homes and (hopefully) permanant homes for these birds. They also conduct a education and training classes. It's a great non profit orginazation.

Anyway, my mom called me yesterday to tell me she was thinking about joining a different orginazation down in Baton Rouge and helping to resue all the displaced (pet) parrots.

My instant reaction was "I think thats a very bad idea".

First of all, I know that the lead organizations (Humane Society, VetMed, Red Cross, etc.) definitely don't want volunteers to self-deploy. I believe the vounteers should be channeled through the lead orginizations.

She wasn't able to tell me very much about the organization down there or whether they were connected to official channels.

Second, I believe there are some serious health risks involved. Although I don't believe she would be allowed in any of the hardest hit areas anyway, there are reports of several communicable diseases which can be spread by the refugees. Add to that the risk of West Nile which can be passed from mosquitoes to birds (which she may be trying to save), this is a concern.

Third, she said that she would be in a 100% camping situation. My mom is 61 years old and hasn't been camping for even a single day in 30 years. She's in pretty good shape since she moved out into the country, but I think she is overestimating her abilities.

Fourth, she wants to borrow my camping stuff! Everything I've read says don't bring anything down there that you expect to take back. Now my stuff is far from top of the line, but I really don't want my Marmot tent or my sleeping bag (eeeew) getting abused, diseased, destroyed, or donated.

On the other hand, she is very dedicated to this cause. She has a great network of friends. And her heart is definitely in the right place.

So what do you guys think? Should I offer her my stuff and give her a crash course in camping? (OMG I just rememebered trying to teach her computers...). Or should I try to talk her out of going and try to re-direct her energy in another direction?