Safehouses for problem parrots are urgently needed due to the growing number of pet birds in recent years. The need is due to the cost of living crisis with some owners unable to afford to feed a pet bird any longer, as well as owners passing away as parrots in particular can live for many years, or birds being neglected or abused.
Charity Problem Parrots is based in Stone in the Midlands, but has welfare officers across the UK. Welfare manager for the charity in the south west region, Bristol train driver Zoe Parfitt said there is currently a list of birds waiting for refuge in safehouses.
Zoe, who lives in Sea Mills, said: “We have a list of birds waiting to come in, but we don’t have enough safehouses.” She has been with the charity for two and a half years and has owned parrots for about ten years.
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She said: “Every single bird is different, they are very intelligent and pick things up quickly. I enjoy their different personalities, each one is quirky and I enjoy seeing their progress.”
She added that anyone willing to offer a safehouse would have a home check, which included a basic understanding of caring for birds. As some people prefer a small budgie to a macaw, she said: “We would never put a bird with someone who does not feel comfortable with that bird.”
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Neil Foster, who is based at the charity’s main office in Stone, also confirmed the call-out for safehouses has grown due to the rise in the cost of living with owners finding the cost of feeding and caring for birds has increased, but also the fact that parrots live for up to 70 years and their owners pass away. He said: “We also get calls because pet birds are neglected or abused and they also need to go to a safehouse.”
He said the charity was started with the goal to educate owners of parrots on how to care for their feathered pets and make sure they have an enriching and happy environment. He said: “It was started to keep pets in their homes when they start behaviours such as screaming, plucking, biting and self-mutilating.
“That has evolved over the years and we started helping with the rehoming of parrots and their welfare,” he said, adding that the charity’s key focus remained on education and whenever possible, keeping the bird with the owner.
Neil said African Grey Parrots and cockatiels are the most rehomed birds. He said they have birds “coming in all the time, we are full to the brim”.
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“We have safe houses in the Bristol area,” he said, adding that rigorous checks are made prior to a bird being placed in a safe house. The charity offers plenty of advice on different bird breeds and how to care for them. Neil said birds as pets need lots of time out of their cages and with plenty to do to stop any chance of them “getting into mischief” such as plucking and biting.
He said that birds are "highly intelligent" and will easily become the owner’s best friend. He said: “They are loads of fun and full of character and mischief.
“Our birds all shout ‘bye’ when they hear us leaving the house. Amazons have very operatic voices and birds such as African Greys and Cockatoos will talk and say things like ‘hello darling’.
“We have had some birds brought to us in a terrible state who have had poor handling and diet. The diet is also important as they need the right nutrients,” he said.
He said anyone wanting to offer a safehouse for parrots or other birds in the Bristol area can email : info@problemparrots.co.uk. To see which birds are in need of a loving home click here
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