8,000 Parrots Abandoned or Abused Every Day
The Growing Problem
Many birds live as long as people, 80 years, and yet may be acquired when a person is well over 20 years old. This leads to a continual issue where birds are abandoned and not always by choice. Another major contributor to parrot abandonment is people may choose to buy a bird because they can be visually beautiful, perfectly mimic anything they hear, be clowns, do funny tricks, sit on your shoulder, and be affectionate.
What people also learn is birds can be a very challenging “pet”. Parrots can have the curious intellect, and temperament, and a four-year-old child with a strong desire of consistency. They are messy. They can be moody, skittish, as loud as an airplane jet engine, partial to a single owner, aggressive to human interaction if they have a mate and capable of breaking a walnut with their beak. They require a more stringent diet and care of their talons and beak. They require temperature control and safety from predators. Their cages must be large enough to allow them free movement and yet also strong enough to withstand their curious and powerful beak. They need stimulation through toys and interaction to keep them occupied and happy. Owners will routinely buy them toys whose entire purpose is to be destroyed by their beak, sometimes lasting hours or even only minutes.
Birds are not the average pet and too often people make the mistake of not being prepared for the challenging ownership. It is no wonder that an estimated 5% or more of the 50 million parrots in captivity today need to be rehome every year. That is a staggering abandonment of 8,000 parrots every single day and many more are abused due to neglect.
Throughout the world, people work together or alone every day to rescue as many birds which have been abandoned or abused. The costs can be significant or add up. We seek to help those who help rescue these beautiful and intelligent animals to give them a healthier and happier long life.
An African Grey which is suffering from "plucking" which is common when the bird is neglected.