Planned Parrothood® asks that you support the good rescue facilities who you know take birds in unconditionally with compassion to both the pets and their owners. Not all rescues are created equally. Many rescues are strongly associated with animal rights activists who will stop at nothing to have birds confiscated. Others are just looking for saleable birds to turn over a quick sale. Yet others accept only pets from the wealthy. One large rescue facility will not accept birds without fees ranging from $8,000 to $30,000 per bird! They refer the rest of the birds to other rescues. This is NOT non-profit! Some are at their limit and should immediate explain that they can't take anymore in. The following may help you to avoid some unpleasant experiences.

From our own research:

1. Research and list those facilities you wish to call.
2. Ask breeders you trust, parrot organizations, or your vet to refer you to a good facility.
3. 501c3 status is not a guarantee that a rescue is a good one. However, it is good for the purpose of reviewing a rescue's profits and assets. You can sign up to Guidestar Organization for a free look into a rescue's assets and salaries of owners or employees. Most salaries are certainly well deserved for all of the work they do. Those who take exorbitant salaries, don't report them, and use donations for their own living expenses by preying upon those who are in ill health or are in a financial dilemma should have their non-profit status removed.
4. A rescue/sanctuary should have a website that includes photos of some of their birds and their facility or rooms where birds are kept. Dates on photos add to their credibility. Video tours are a good tool for a tour. Contact information is essential.
5. Ask if they have a release form. If so, read carefully so that you fully understand the terms of relinquishment.
6. Most good facilities take in birds that are plucked, not tame or have special needs. All should have some sort of quarantine area. It helps for you to have a recent veterinary report upon relinquishment.
7. Never give details about your birds until you've decided who you would like the birds to go to or you may find your personal info all over the bird lists and then have to handle a bunch of calls - and, worst horror scenario, a visit from your local sheriff or HSUS to assess the situation or even possibly confiscate the birds. Just state facts such as species and age if known.
8. A good "rescue" facility or sanctuary should never ask for fees or anything else when accepting birds. Requests for donations are acceptable in order for the facility to continue to exist and I do feel that one should give regularly to the facility of choice if you are able to.
9. If chosen rescue is close to you, birds should be taken in their own cages with the toys that they are used to. If you need to ship, see our SHIPPING TIPS. Then call the airlines to confirm their current guidelines.

There are many reasons for relinquishment of birds: financial despair, divorce, health, death, etc. Unless you see birds in peril, do not judge the circumstances until you know the reasoning behind placement. If you see what you consider abused or neglected birds, first contact their owner to try to help. If that doesn't work, then contact a bird breeder, club or society who will discreetly pay a visit to assess the situation. Never take it upon yourself to send info to lists without the owner's permission or to report it to the authorities. You may then find yourself in the midst of a nasty lawsuit if the situation is unfounded. Definitely be involved, but in a compassionate discreet manner.

Most rescues are genuine bird loving, caring people. It's hard enough to have to give up your pets or even breeder birds, but when malicious acts by animal rights activists are executed, it's counter-productive to their mission statements, the birds, true humane rescues, and can also be extremely harmful or cause death to the owners.

An undercurrent of pressure to do a media expose is underway, so if you have a rescue horror story to tell, please send to PLANNED PARROTHOOD® with RESCUE STORY in the subject line in CAPS.