Screams and screeches of all creatures great and small belt worryingly out of Brittani Faulkes’ kitchen, as she explains why she loves animals so much.
But one need not fret, or even call 911, nothing or no one is meeting a traumatic end in the Steveston home of artist Faulkes.
She is, in fact, playing a channel on satellite radio broadcasting animal noises, just so her six, rescued exotic birds don’t get their feathers in a flap over the lack of the aforementioned audio.
“If it goes quiet in the wild, they think there’s a predator in the area,” Faulkes said, explaining the unusual ambience.
Her willingness to sacrifice peace and quiet to content her birds is a window into Faukles’ pecking order of co-existing with animals.
Who else would be willing to care for a cockatiel called Paco who has no beak, causing his tongue to hang out; a naked love bird called Sparkplug who picks off his own feathers (and sleeps inside Faulkes’ bra when she’s painting) and an Alexandrie parrot called Max, who drops the F-bomb at the most inopportune of moments.
Oh, and two dogs and a cat, as well.
“I guess I’m an artist and an advocate for animals,” said Faulkes, who donates several pieces of art for auction every year to certain animal charities.
“I try to donate at least five per year on an as-needed basis.
“I’ve been a member of PETA for 18 years, and I believe animals need a voice to speak for them and I feel very fortunate to be able to give back.”
RAPS and Bandaid for Bunnies in Richmond and Greyhaven, an exotic bird haven in Tsawwassen, are all regular beneficiaries of Faulkes’ work, which focuses on giving human characteristics to inanimate objects.
Her last donation, a pastel under glass, fetched around $500 for RAPS at its Halloween Gala.
And her latest offering to local animal charities are two pastels, worth around $900, which will be auctioned off at Saturday’s Bandaid for Bunnies fundraiser at the Pumphouse Taproom on Blundell Road from 7 p.m.
Tickets are $20, which includes a burger and beer or wine. There will also be a raffle, 50/50 and lots of prizes to give away.
The charity is hoping to sell at least 60 tickets. If you’re interested in a ticket or would like to donate, go to bandaidsforbunnies.wordpress.com.
