More than 500 B.C. parrots need to find homes immediately

A parrot refuge facility located in Coombs has been home to hundreds of parrots, but the owner and operator has died and now more than 500 birds need to find a new home.

The World Parrot Refuge (WPR) has deteriorated to the point that the birds are now in need of a new home. According to the organization, since owner Wendy Huntbatch died in February, they have struggled to maintain the facility as funding has disappeared despite their best efforts. The 584 birds who reside at the centre are incredibly intelligent and sensitive to what is occurring around them.

The team must now adopt out the birds and has received short-term help from Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary in Vancouver. The group has donated food, cages and other equipment to the refuge.

“We’re doing what we can to address the most pressing problems, but many of the larger birds at the refuge have anxiety and self-mutilation issues that will make it hard to find homes for them,” says John Creviston, the interim manager now working with the Greyhaven board of directors to find a solution. "Many of these highly intelligent animals could face euthanasia if the right supports can’t be found.”

The group is looking to the community for help in the form of parrot pellets, seeds, nuts, fruit and vegetables. They also need help with water purification, welding gauntlets, work gloves, nets, and — most importantly — cash to aid in the immediate crisis.

Some of the birds have made their way to Kelowna as the adoption process continues, but many more homes are needed. In what is believed to be Canada’s largest parrot rescue operation, everything from supplies, to food, to funding, to volunteers are needed over the coming weeks to ensure every animal finds a home.

Many adoption requests have already come into the organization and workers are busy contacting those who have sent in an application. WPR recommends that people research what life is like with a parrot before contacting them.

For more information about WPR and how to start the adoption process, visit the Facebook support page here. To donate to the organization, visit the crowd-funding page here.