In a building on 152 St., with its makeshift living quarters and loud, messy tenants, is the seedier side of Cindy Koch's life.

It's where, in addition to seeds, she and about 25 other volunteers make sure the small stainless steel bowls that line the cages of some 45 exotic birds are filled with fresh fruit, veggies and pellets, so that the residents of Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary stay healthy and happy.

And the care doesn't stop there.

Nuzzling up to Spook, a 22-year-old Patagonian Conure, Koch kisses him and coos, "You're so pretty, aren't you?"

Spook has one eye and is nearly featherless due to an anxious habit of picking out his plumage. But like the other conures, budgies, lovebirds, and cockatiels at Greyhaven, Spook is well-loved.

Harvard, for instance, a conure who must be handled with gloves in order to prevent him from inflicting nasty bites with his sharp beak, was rescued from a bar - not an ideal environment for birds.

"Their respiratory systems are so sensitive, the smoke (from cigarettes) can kill them," Koch says.

Other birds were found and turned over to Greyhaven or given up by owners whose life circumstances had changed.

"They've moved, they've had kids ... the same reasons that dogs or cats are left behind," says Koch, one of Greyhaven's five directors.

"But birds are more traumatized, because they bond for life," she says.

Greyhaven was created in 1998 with the goal of rehabilitating abused, neglected and orphaned birds. They are housed in donated greenhouse space at the Outdoor Garden Depot, 4490 152 St.

While some, like Spook, are permanent residents, most are available for adoption.

More than 25 volunteers maintain the sanctuary (painting, repairing, cleaning, and building cages), visit and feed the birds, and fund raise for the non-profit organization - a crucial part of its existence.

The cost of keeping the tropical birds warm in winter, for example, is substantial.

While providing the best quality of life she can for her feathered friends (cages are spacious, clean and stocked with bird toys), Koch says the ultimate goal is to find a bigger facility (3,000 sq. ft. or more) so larger parrots - and an education centre - can be accommodated.

Greyhaven is open to the public Saturday and Sunday from 12-4 p.m.

Donations of cash or supplies like cages, heating pads, feeding dishes, toys and t-stands are needed, as well as more volunteers.

* For more information, call 604-878-7212.