In The Media      
 
 

Shrieking, Squawking Part of Life at Overstuffed Exotic Bird Shelter
The Now Courier, published on 02 September 2006, by Steve Drake-contributing writer

Photo- Brian Howell

Carol Boutilier, president of Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary, offers a warm shoulder to parrots Sean and Sinead at the busy bird shelter in Surrey. "We could use a space at least three times bigger than this," she says.

It's not quiet for very long at the Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary. Not when there are 40 parrots crammed into about 500 square feet on the top floor of a plant nursery off 152nd Street in Surrey.

 

On one side of the long, narrow room, floor-to-ceiling pens are filled with budgies and cockatiels. Cages on the opposite side house the larger parrots. Every so often the gentle cheeping of the smaller birds is interrupted by a conversation-stopping shriek from a cockatoo.

"We could use a space at least three times bigger than this," says Greyhaven president Carol Boutilier in a voice loud enough to be heard over the birdcalls. "We just can't afford a lot."

The non-profit, volunteer run organization is looking for another home to keep up with the demand for its services. Besides the 40 birds on site, another 40 parrots are in foster homes throughout the Lower Mainland.

Greyhaven was started in 1998 to provide a safe place for abused, neglected, abandoned and orphaned birds. The many challenges in keeping parrots as a pet has resulted in an ever-growing number of unwanted birds. One of Greyhaven's mandates is to find new homes for the birds in its care.

The number of adoptions has steadily risen, from 43 in 2003 to 75 in 2004 and up to 126 in 2005.

Through July this year, Greyhaven has taken in 89 new birds and found homes for 82 more.

Too often people don't know what they're getting into when they buy an exotic bird. Unlike dogs and cats, parrots have never been domesticated - they are often caught in the wild or bred from wild stock. Larger parrots are not meek; owners can expect to get bit.

In addition, they need companionship to be happy - socially deprived parrots get sick and often require expensive veterinary care. Throw in the fact that they can live 70 years and they require the same kind of care as a two-year-old child for their entire lifespan, it's no wonder Greyhaven needs to expand.

Even with the sanctuary currently running at full capacity, Jenny Tamas, the adoption director at Greyhaven says they will always take in a bird that otherwise might suffer. She says in the right home, a parrot has a lot to give back.

"People don't realize how much love they can give you, even the smallest birds. All these guys need is a second chance."

E-mail: info@greyhaven.bc.ca