Beware of Bird ‘Sanctuaries’

Find out the good and the bad about bird sanctuaries.

Many purchased birds are later abandoned, and few live out their natural lifespan. About 85 percent of parrots are sold, given away, or abandoned within two years of being purchased. Many other birds, who seem so cute and lovable in pet stores, turn out to be noisy, messy, and demanding of people’s attention. If they are ignored, they suffer in isolation and may become even noisier or more aggressive or despondent.

Caged companion birds are typically not native to the areas that they reside in; they cannot be released simply by opening a window and letting them fly away. Without the proper climate, food sources, and habitat, escaped or released captive birds become prey for free-roaming cats and wildlife or are doomed to suffer lingering deaths because of exposure, starvation, or injuries.

Responsible rescue groups, animal shelters, and sanctuaries can only place or care for a small percentage of these unwanted birds. To further complicate matters, some alleged “sanctuaries” are actually thinly disguised breeding colonies, where birds are housed in extremely crowded conditions, receive minimal care and attention, and may even be sold back into the pet trade.

Bird sanctuaries should do the following things:

• Provide the proper nutrition, habitat, and veterinary care for each species of birds they shelter.
• Carefully and thoroughly screen prospective adopters while educating the public about purchasing birds.
• Never charge admission, breed or sell birds, or put on shows.

Placing a Bird in a Sanctuary

When trying to find a sanctuary for possible placement of a bird, don’t be afraid to ask questions about sanctuaries’ history, staff members, finances, facilities, or available veterinary care. If you’re surrendering a bird, you should be able to briefly view the animal’s new home, if this can be done without disturbing the sanctuary’s current residents. Be suspicious if the sanctuary refuses to allow you to see its facilities.

Legitimate sanctuaries struggle to provide care and still make ends meet, so consider offering some financial support as well as in-kind donations of transport cages, bird vitamins, food, or even first-aid or cleaning supplies when you place a bird. If possible, volunteer!

If you know about a captive bird who lives in poor conditions, suggest that the bird’s owner check out Petfinder.com, which is a great resource for finding bird rescue groups and adopters who have the right training and experience to care for wild birds. Every January, Petfinder features bird adoptions and rescues.

Read about bird breeders to understand why so many birds are abandoned and neglected each year.

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