By: Carol Rock

Local Bird Breeders Looking To Retire

150 birds now seeking a new home

When the flames threatened her Sand Canyon home the night of Oct. 22, Jami Kennedy saw two angels walking through the smoke.

Two neighbors, who she and husband Bob hadn’t seen in a long time, were walking toward Kennedy’s Golden Oak Aviaries, home to Jami, Bob and about 150 birds.

“Thought you might need a hand,” the men said as she stared at them in amazement.

The ranch and birds escaped the inferno – Jami swears God put his hand up and directed the flames straight up instead of toward the cages and her home – but she and Bob are not out of the woods.

The volunteer whose face is familiar to many community members for her work with Carousel Ranch, Zonta, the Boys and Girls Club and the Red Cross, to name a few, was alone that night because Bob has been hospitalized with leukemia since Oct. 18. His prognosis is good, but the truth is, the Kennedys – longtime movers and shakers who frequently greet people with “what can I do for you?” could use a little help.

Along with their volunteerism, the pair have bred and sold thousands of birds over the last 25 years.

“It’s time to sell the birds and get rid of the ranch,” Jami said during a break from hospital visits. “But I don’t want to sell them to just anyone. “

Jami is looking for breeders and serious bird collectors who will treat their flock with the one-on-one attention to which they’ve become accustomed. She has a list of available birds, which she will e-mail to interested parties.

“Bottom line is that it’s time to retire,” she said. “We need to enjoy the days we have left and it’s time to let someone else enjoy these birds.”

Contact Jami at goa2003@sbcglobal.net or call (661) 433-7799.