HUGE Bird Rescue In Texas

 

Acting on a tip from a neighbor, the Houston SPCA recently seized 1,079 animals from a privately owned Texas property. About 900 of these animals were parrots.
The property owners were breeders, selling to pet stores and, based on shipping materials found on the site, are presumed to have been supplying parrots to private parties directly from their facility. The condition of the cages were described as deplorable and overcrowded and all sported breeding boxes indicating that this was to be an ongoing endeavor for this couple.

In my last, post I mentioned that parrots are frequently bred with “puppy mill sensibilities”. This is a perfect example of that fact, and it is a huge contributor to the overpopulation of parrot rescues. It is the reason we need to rehome the neglected and abandoned before electing to buy the captive bred parrots that are available in such huge quantity.

If we band together and refuse to support these organizations by NOT purchasing their birds, we WILL eventually put them out of business. In opting to rehome a bird, we support the rescues that are fighting to keep afloat. As parrot lovers, we must support those trying to make a difference.
The birds seized in Texas were sent out to various locations. 73 of these birds will, in the next week, land in the care of Anna Sloan, the owner and operator of the Macaw and Cockatoo Rescue of New Mexico. Close you eyes for a moment and try to imagine what 73 parrots looks like…

There are enormous challenges faced by caregivers in any parrot rescue, many of them financial, which go unnoticed by people like you and me. In this case:

  • Each of the 73 birds needs to be vetted. This cost, estimated at around $2000, will cover just the health screening of each of the birds and does not include the continued care of any birds that are determined to be ill. Given the background of these birds, that figure is likely to be high. This financial burden can be ruinous to a small organization.
  • In most cases, the birds that are in the most dire need of rescue do not land on Anna’s doorstep. She was required to drive to Houston to personally transport all of these birds to her facility in the Albuquerque area. I know of her traveling great distances to retrieve a bird in need, and has covered shipping charges for those beyond her reach.
  • The everyday care and upkeep of a huge influx of birds, including caging, food and toys, is a huge drain on the budget. We, owning single or few birds, know the expense of bird supplies. Multiply that number by 73…
  • Then, of course, there is the expense of her valuable time. Each bird must be socialized, rehabilitated and converted to a proper diet before they are eligible for placement in a new home.

These birds have no idea how lucky they are to be in Anna’s fine care. I have known the young and energetic Anna for several years. She finds the most creative solutions to significant challenges she faces with troubled birds that seem beyond hope. The depth of her love and compassion is bottomless and she tirelessly gives of herself to heal the wounded. No one on this planet is better suited to managing the task set before her.

Assisting Macaw and Cockatoo Rescue of New Mexico is Jill from the Gulf Coast Exotic Bird Sanctuary. Jill, one of the biggest-hearted people I have had the honor to meet, is meeting Anna halfway to Houston and will be taking on a number of the birds at her sanctuary.

Both the Macaw and Cockatoo Rescue of New Mexico and the Gulf Coast Exotic Bird Sanctuary survive solely on financial donation. If you are looking for deserving bird related organizations to contribute to, and I hope you are, these are those I recommend.

Patty Jourgensen specializes in avian health, behavior and nutrition and has been working with and caring for rescue birds since 1987.

27 comments

Matthew Quintana

Hi am looking to adopt a macaw I always wanted to give a forever home to a macaw I am really passionate about these birds and I love taking care of them hopefully one day yall can help me get one.

Matthew Quintana
Beth Moore

I would like information on you adoption process please.

Beth Moore
janis

I have room in my heart to adopt one of the birds.. I currently have a very spoiled Green cheek conure. 😊

janis
Payton Hightower

Hello, I came across this information and would love to help out and adopt a bird. I currently have a Cockatiel, 5 chickens and three dogs. I have room in my heart for one more baby…is there still any available to adopt? Payton

Payton Hightower
JAVIER

I looking to adopt a parrot, where he or she will get a lot of love ,I had there parrot at once where there would roam all day around the house at nite they would go to there gages to sleep.please let me know if something is available. THANK YOU

JAVIER
Allen St Pierre

We are hoping to find a male African Grey Congo parrot to take in and love forever.

Allen St Pierre
Deborah Pott

I would love to own a small green, yellow parrot that comes from Tanzania, I believe.. My dad passed away and Bebe was suppose to come to me. My brother, testator, said he was not going to give Bebe to me. I visited my parents for many years. Bebe knows me well. When I come to the door, Bebe Flys on my shoulder and says hi loudly. I play with Bebe. I put her or him on the floor upside down and tickle her/him tummy. She loves it. She also follows me all around the house, including the bathroom. When I leave, my dad always tells me Bebe looks for me a lot. I think I have a whole in my heart. I constantly think about Bebe. My brother felt the ride would be to hard on Bebe. Recently, I just moved to Texas from Arizona. My brother would not give me Bebe even if I drove back to get Bebe. Can you fill my Heart? Deborah

Deborah Pott
Amanda

My mother in law was put in an assistant living facility and has a parrot in her home that is mean. Animal control has said they would more than likely have to euthanize the bird, but we have to catch it (she’s loose)

Amanda
Paul

To: Natalie Matthews I would love to take care of your bird, please email me at acexpress1@sbcglobal.net thank you Paul

Paul
david ferrer

I have a 16 years old female macaw that I can’t take care. I wish find a place for her.

david ferrer
Rhonda Reynolds

Interested in adopting

Rhonda Reynolds
Natalie Matthews

I have a double yellow head parrot that talks and sings. It belonged to my husband and dearly loved him. I have many rescue dogs and have had parakeets before that i loved. I feel awful that this bird will not accept me. My husband has passed away and I would love to find a good loving home for this beautiful bird. We have never had it surgically tested, however because of the attraction the bird had to my husband we believe it is a female. Has a wide vocabulary, sings alot. If there is someone out there that would love and give a wonderful life to this beautiful double yellow head, please help me find a home that would love and play with him/her. Thank you, Natalie

Natalie Matthews
Linda Maddox

How do I go about adoption one of these precious birds? My chihuahua was rescued from a puppy mill and if I had lots of money I would do everything in my power to stop all of this cruel breeding of all animals. Thank you

Linda Maddox
Ashley Windham

Looking for a blue and gold macaw to adopt.

Ashley Windham
Sterling yates

I would like to know if you have any macaws for for adoption.

Sterling yates
Elena

Hi I am looking for a red headed Amazon parrot, if you have some available please tell me.

Elena
Sonia Ríos

I’m looking for a double yellow head Amazon female if possible if not a Cockatoo please

Sonia Ríos
Irma F Salcido

Hello I’m interested in adopting a native ringneck parrot. I have fallen in Love. What do I have to do to qualify? Ive been watching videos to educate myself.

Irma F Salcido
Rosemary Hermes

Hi I’m looking for a companion a African grey or Med size parrot if you could give me some advice want to rescue and try to help give a bird a happy life

Rosemary Hermes
Anna

I am looking for a baby or a young white macaw or any exotic bird that will talk and it is for a birthday gift if you could get back to me I have a don’t have a very huge budget but I could spend a few hundred if I find the right there

Anna
Susan Kibler

Looking for a ringneck,parokeet smaller bird.Single ,retired,no kids and have had several birds in the past .Blue crown conure Nanday conure,Cockatiels,parakeets Mated Patagonian conures,Lovebirds…Looking for a rehome bird.

Susan Kibler
Walter Louviere

I would like to adopt an amazon double yellow head

Walter Louviere
Zaara

Hi we have been looking for macaws to adopt for a long time and we mostly couldn’t find anyone that wasn’t a scammer we have been looking for weeks but couldn’t find anyone do you know anyone we can adopt a parrot from in texas

Zaara
MARY LOU GARCIA

YES HELLO THIS IS MARY LOU GARCIA.I AM HOPING TO ADOPT A PARROT HOPEFULLY A BABY SO THAT I CAN RAISE IT.THE PARROT I’M HOPING TO ADOPT WOULD BE A RED HEADED MEXICAN OR AN AFICAN GREY. I HAVE RAISED A BABY PARROT IN THE PAST AND I FOUND IT TO BE NO PROBLEM.IM RETIRED AND I HAVE ALL THE TIME NEEDED TO RAISE A BABY PARROT THATS IF I CAN GET AHOLD OF ONE.PLEASE E MAIL OR A PREFER A PHONE CALL.MY CELL IS 956-463-8264. THANKS A BUNCH I’LL BE WAITIN FOR A CALL.

MARY LOU GARCIA
Joanne Bussell

An entire large flock of parakeets have been dumped in the park on Eldridge Parkway. Can you rescue them before they die in the cold weather? Poor innocent creatures were dumped by a pet store. If the people responsible are caught will they be arrested? I hope so, this is cruel.

Joanne Bussell

Leave a comment

All comments are moderated before being published