Parrot rescues are overflowing with beautiful, healthy parrots as well as handicapped, abused, or neglected parrots.
There are as many reasons a parrot ends up in a rescue as there are people. Some people become ill and can no longer care for their parrot. Some people’s lifestyles change and they’re unable to maintain the parrot. Sometimes a parrot accidentally flies out of the house, becomes lost, and a kind human takes it to a rescue. Police or a concerned citizen may remove neglected or abused parrots from their homes and place them in a rescue where they’ll be safe and cared for.
First Things First
The first and most important thing to do if you’re considering getting a parrot is your homework. What kind of parrot do you want? How much can you afford to pay for the bird, plus an ample-sized cage, toys, food, and avian vet care? How much noise can you and your neighbors stand (parrots are noisy)? How tolerant are you of messes (parrots are notoriously messy)? Are you willing to stop smoking or smoke only in areas away from your parrot? Are you willing to give up your non-stick pots and pans (overheated non-stick surfaces will kill your parrot in a matter of minutes). If you have a cat or a dog, how will you keep your bird safe? A good rescue will ask you the same types of questions to help make the best match for you.
What to Look For
When you arrive at the rescue, look around. Is it clean? Are the birds’ cages clean? Are the parrots active and show interest in you? Do the staff and volunteers answer your questions and seem to know what they’re talking about? Is the rescue willing to tell you which avian vet they use and what, if any, health problems the parrot may have? Do they know the history of the bird and will they share it with you? Please note that rescues won’t always know the history of a parrot – sometimes parrots just show up on their doorstep.
Beware of rescues that are not registered non-profit by the IRS or that seem secretive about the origins of their parrots. Rescues that don’t provide avian vet care for their birds should be avoided, as well as rescues that seem a bit too eager to hand over their parrots.
Good rescues will seem to be interviewing you because they want their parrots to go to excellent homes. They may refuse to let you adopt your first choice because another species of parrot would fit more easily into your lifestyle, making for a better experience for both you and the parrot. Some rescues will require that you take one or two classes on basic parrot care and how to deal with basic problems that might come up.
Don’t Be in Hurry
Bringing a parrot into your home is an investment in time, energy, and money. Be sure to give yourself ample time to consider the available parrots and their needs. Make more than one visit to a rescue. Visit more than one rescue. Get to know the staff. Ask a lot of questions.
The Fine Print
You’ll be asked to sign a contract and most likely pay a fee that’s usually based on the size of the bird. Read the entire contract and be sure you’re willing to follow the terms before you sign. Some rescues also charge for any vet care the parrot has required while living there.
Many rescues will drop in unexpectedly during the first year of ownership to check that you’re taking good care of the parrot and that your circumstances haven’t changed. They’re not trying to violate your privacy or challenge your lifestyle; they just want to be sure the parrot is in good hands. Drop-in visits and the rescue’s expectations should be spelled out in the contract.
Life with a Rescue Parrot
Many rescued parrots are especially grateful to new owners; they seem to know they’re being given a second chance at a forever home. Other parrots, especially those who have been abused or neglected, may require more patience from you before they’re willing to trust humans again. Ask the rescue if they provide advice or advanced classes to help you once you get the parrot home.
Handicapped parrots can often make great additions to your home. Parrots don’t seem to let things like missing toes or crooked beaks or a withered wing keep them from doing what other parrots do, within their physical limitations. You may have to make adjustments in the bird’s cage or take the bird to the avian vet on a more frequent basis to accommodate the bird’s individual needs, but the effort is worth it.
There are hundreds of parrot rescues and parrot adoption agencies across the United States. Just check for the one nearest you. (Be aware that rescues frequently go out of business due to the expense and heavy workload.)
Good Things
A parrot you’ve selected from a rescue is capable of loving you and bonding with you as much, if not more, than any parrot you could buy from a pet store or a breeder. And you’ll also get extra feel-good moments just knowing you’re helping ease the population in rescues and helping slow the import of smuggled and endangered parrots – one wonderful parrot at a time.
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