Saturday, October 6, 2007
What to look for in a rescue or sanctuary
There are various types of rescues for birds and I would like to discuss some of them here. People have different visions for their parrots after they can no longer care for them.
Some wish to see their birds flying free out of doors or in huge aviaries. In most instances and in our Canadian climate these are not possible.
I have even told me that some plan on having their pets put down as they do not feel anyone would either want them or would care for them they way they do. I find this quite sad as there are many wonderful homes out there that would love to give a second hand parrot an excellent and loving home and would willingly follow the previous owners routines and provide plenty of years of love to a parrot.
There are shelters which provide temporary care and usually some behaviour help until the parrot finds another wonderful family to care for it.
There are those that have wonderful aviaries with trees and play areas and keep all the birds and refuse to adopt out. They believe this is the only environment for a parrot. However they take in more and more and at some point the birds no longer recieve the attention they deserve.
The pros and cons of this are that birds that enjoy that type of environment would thrive in there. It would be a wonderful place for ex breeders and birds that do not enjoy human companionship. The sad part is those birds that love attention from human companions as most of the time the do not do well in this type of environment. They would rather be cuddled and snuggled and talked to and played with regularly. These birds you will find cowering in the corners of these aviaries, frightened of the other birds. Even volunteers can not offer these birds the bonding and attention an individual home can offer.
There are others that house the birds in any type of container they can find and are stacked on top of each other with 500 or 600 birds! This environment is not good for any bird! They do not adopt out birds and also feel their system is best.
Although it might be nice to see a bird flying around in an aviary we need to remember that these birds were hand raised and conditioned to wanting human companionship.
We feel here at PASO that each bird is an individual and needs to be assessed based on their needs, history and experiences. We do not feel that ALL birds can fall into one category. Although a nice sanctuary setting would be wonderful for some. It is not for all. Some birds would thrive much better in an individual home where they would recieve one on one attention in a family setting.
We certainly don't feel any place with 600 birds is good for any bird!
When choosing a rescue/shelter/sanctuary for your bird, carefully look at how the birds in the sanctuary are. Are they happy? Well adjusted? Are those running the rescue able to handle ALL the birds they presently have? Do they look comfortable with the birds both large AND small? Remember these people will be your birds care givers for a long time and maybe permanently. Do they rely on volunteers to work with the birds instead of themselves? How many volunteers do they have? Is it clean? Do they try scare tactics to avoid checking other rescues? Most of all do the birds at the rescue look comfortable with the rescuers!
These are more important that clinical cleanliness! We all know parrots make messes and rescues are no exception! Most importantly is how do the birds react to the their new rescuers are they fearful and is the rescuer capable of handling your parrot.
These will make your parrot integrate into the rescue easier and will assure both you and he that they are in good hands.
Can you get references for them through your local bird clubs, zoo's, SPCA etc. Word of mouth is another form but not the end all and be all. Does the rescue cut up other rescues trying to get "your business"? Does the rescue use scare tactics? Does it look like they are trying to hard or ramble? If these things are happening it's probably due to the lack of skills on their part so they make up for it using these tactics.
You are the advocate for your parrot. Make sure to check the rescue and get outside references such as those described above.
Some wish to see their birds flying free out of doors or in huge aviaries. In most instances and in our Canadian climate these are not possible.
I have even told me that some plan on having their pets put down as they do not feel anyone would either want them or would care for them they way they do. I find this quite sad as there are many wonderful homes out there that would love to give a second hand parrot an excellent and loving home and would willingly follow the previous owners routines and provide plenty of years of love to a parrot.
There are shelters which provide temporary care and usually some behaviour help until the parrot finds another wonderful family to care for it.
There are those that have wonderful aviaries with trees and play areas and keep all the birds and refuse to adopt out. They believe this is the only environment for a parrot. However they take in more and more and at some point the birds no longer recieve the attention they deserve.
The pros and cons of this are that birds that enjoy that type of environment would thrive in there. It would be a wonderful place for ex breeders and birds that do not enjoy human companionship. The sad part is those birds that love attention from human companions as most of the time the do not do well in this type of environment. They would rather be cuddled and snuggled and talked to and played with regularly. These birds you will find cowering in the corners of these aviaries, frightened of the other birds. Even volunteers can not offer these birds the bonding and attention an individual home can offer.
There are others that house the birds in any type of container they can find and are stacked on top of each other with 500 or 600 birds! This environment is not good for any bird! They do not adopt out birds and also feel their system is best.
Although it might be nice to see a bird flying around in an aviary we need to remember that these birds were hand raised and conditioned to wanting human companionship.
We feel here at PASO that each bird is an individual and needs to be assessed based on their needs, history and experiences. We do not feel that ALL birds can fall into one category. Although a nice sanctuary setting would be wonderful for some. It is not for all. Some birds would thrive much better in an individual home where they would recieve one on one attention in a family setting.
We certainly don't feel any place with 600 birds is good for any bird!
When choosing a rescue/shelter/sanctuary for your bird, carefully look at how the birds in the sanctuary are. Are they happy? Well adjusted? Are those running the rescue able to handle ALL the birds they presently have? Do they look comfortable with the birds both large AND small? Remember these people will be your birds care givers for a long time and maybe permanently. Do they rely on volunteers to work with the birds instead of themselves? How many volunteers do they have? Is it clean? Do they try scare tactics to avoid checking other rescues? Most of all do the birds at the rescue look comfortable with the rescuers!
These are more important that clinical cleanliness! We all know parrots make messes and rescues are no exception! Most importantly is how do the birds react to the their new rescuers are they fearful and is the rescuer capable of handling your parrot.
These will make your parrot integrate into the rescue easier and will assure both you and he that they are in good hands.
Can you get references for them through your local bird clubs, zoo's, SPCA etc. Word of mouth is another form but not the end all and be all. Does the rescue cut up other rescues trying to get "your business"? Does the rescue use scare tactics? Does it look like they are trying to hard or ramble? If these things are happening it's probably due to the lack of skills on their part so they make up for it using these tactics.
You are the advocate for your parrot. Make sure to check the rescue and get outside references such as those described above.
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