Rescued parrots that have found sanctuary in Lander are now in search of their forever homes.
Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary rescued the birds in the spring of 2016 from the World Parott Refuge on Vancouver Island.
Earlier this month, the birds found new refuge in Ladner after a two-year stay at a space in Vancouver.
Greyhaven’s communication director Jan Robson said the birds and volunteers are grateful for the generosity of the family that offered space in South Delta, but it is time for the birds to find permanent homes.
“We have been adopting out for almost two years, but we are now stepping up the adoption efforts,” said Robson. “We have three that will soon be heading out east – to Nova Scotia and another one is being adopted out locally. Over the past two years we have a lot of birds and we have a lot of interest, but people that are interested and able to have parrots as pets are a little bit more of a limited commodity I think than the dog and cat population.”
She said more than 400 of the birds that were rescued in 2016 have been adopted, leaving about 70 in Ladner and 25 to 30 more in another location.
People looking to adopt should do their research beforehand, Robson said.
Information on the adoption process, along with an adoption form, is on the group’s website at www.greyhaven.bc.ca. You can also email [email protected].
“When you go to our adoption section many of the birds are profiled and you can see pictures,” she said. “From there you need to fill out the application and the process starts from there.”
Robson said there is an adoption fee, which varies depending on the bird.
“If people are serious about adopting they will pay that fee. We are also a non-profit and we have to cover costs to a certain extent. The birds that are left we have been caring for more than two years, so there has been medical costs and the adoption fee certainly helps pay for that.”
Robson the biggest thing for people is to have a willingness to learn even if they have had parrots as pets before.
“We want people who come in with an open mind and what is the best way to care for these birds,” she said. “We also need to have people that have some financial resources. We can’t guarantee the long-term health considering what these birds have gone through, so you have to be open to further medical costs down the way.”
