Please come out to visit us! The parrots love visitors, and so do we!

Hours

We're open 10am to 4pm, every day of the year!

Admission Prices

Entrance tickets are purchased at the main desk in the gift shop. Prices do not include GST.

Adult: $12 + GST
Youth (13-17): $10 + GST
Children (6-12): $8 + GST
Children (5 and under): Free
Senior: $10 + GST
Best value:
Family Day Pass (2 adults and 2 children/youth): $30 + GST
Family Annual Pass/Annual Membership (tax-deductible and entitles purchaser and three immediate family members to unlimited admission for the year): $100

Location

Driving from Nanaimo, you'll find us on your left at 2116 Alberni Hwy, Coombs, just a kilometre before the Old Country Market with the famed "Goats on the Roof"!

Look for the giant parrot and rainbow-coloured flags and you won't miss us!

The following special dedications were made by our donors.

Donation dedicated in memory of Donald R. McIntosh.

Donation dedicated by Cheryl Rutherford and Chris Seath, in honour of their wedding guests, 25 August 2007.

Donation dedicated to Mr Jordan Denney.

Ms Mescal Roe – I have two rescued birds - Sonni, a sun conure - and Miss Pippin, a cockatiel. I love them dearly as did Mescal, my mother.

Mrs Jean Henley – We are donating this money in memory of my mum, Jean Henley. Her birthday was July 10th and she was a great crusader for unloved/unwanted animals of all descriptions. We hope it helps your great work!

Donation dedicated to Mrs Lesley Greenfield.

Donation dedicated to Eriza Browning, the cockatiel.

Donation dedicated to Tatyana Holguin.

Donation dedicated to Mr Mel Habberley.

These are some of our generous sponsors who have chosen to Virtually Adopt one or more of our special psittacine residents, giving full support ($500 per year per bird) or half support ($250 per year per bird). Thank you!

Please visit our Virtual Adoption page to learn the stories of other birds in need of a sponsor.

As a member of F.L.O.P.R.S/World Parrot Refuge you make an important contribution to the ongoing care of the birds, important capital projects, and gain free admission to the Refuge for a year.

We have over 500 residents, and the number is growing weekly. We use your membership contribution to help with the ongoing care, treatment and feeding of our psittacine friends. We are also presently raising funds for the completion of over 16,000 sq ft of outdoor flight enclosures - so important to giving our residents access to natural light and warmth during the warmer times of the year and extending their feeling of freedom and safety.

Annual membership dues are as follows:

• Family membership (max of 4 people): $100.00
• Single membership: $50.00

Please visit our donations page for different options to pay for membership dues, and please contact us if you require more information.

Website credits:

Website design, maintainance and some photography donated by Jane Waterman and Carmen Waterman.

Video and some photography donated by Grant Corriveau.

The marvellous "Born To Be Wild" video created by Alex Lee (on behalf of Great Canadian Casinos).

Site content management and blogging system powered by the amazing b2evolution.

At the heart of the Refuge is our Gift Shop and Educational Room, where you can watch a video created by Rosemary Low and Wendy Huntbatch. The parrots of the Refuge are featured throughout the video, which emphasizes the ideals and goals of the World Parrot Refuge Project.

There are many great items for sale in the Gift Shop, including T-shirts, parrot memorabilia, and a wonderful collection of Capodimonte porcelain. You'll be sure to find great gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, and other special occasions. You'll also find a range of custom T-shirts, mugs, and puzzles especially for the little ones.

The best part is that all proceeds from the Gift Shop are used to directly help the parrots! Please make the Gift Shop your first and last stop during your visit to the World Parrot Refuge.

Thank you for your continued support!

For the Love Of Parrots Society (F.L.O.P.R.S) volunteers play an invaluable role in our society and the operation of the World Parrot Refuge, by ensuring the wellbeing, comfort and safety of our resident psittacines.

Volunteers are needed in a number of key areas including yard maintenance, hospital cleaning, tour guide, bird visiting, food preparation (9-11am). Volunteers need to commit to at least one day per week on a schedule and be at least 16 years of age. All training will be provided. We will endeavour to make your time with us enjoyable, meaningful, educational and rewarding!

Volunteers will be asked to fill out a registration form, to sign a set of guidelines and to sign a release for all claims of liability.

The F.L.O.P.R.S. guidelines embody the qualities we consider essential in a volunteer. F.L.O.P.R.S volunteers:

• Are respectful of themselves, other volunteers, staff members, and the birds.
• Are aware of the F.L.O.P.R.S. mission statement and practices.
• Are flexible and assist according to direction from staff. They are self-motivated and offer to assist without being asked.
• Ask questions when in doubt and accept criticism when presented in a constructive and caring way.
• Are punctual and notify staff in advance if unable to attend.
• Feel free to contribute ideas and give feedback.
• Are accountable to the staff on duty and, ultimately to the Society.
• Understand and promote the critical importance of the safety and health of the birds.
• Know that there are inherent risks involved with working with exotic birds in captivity, especially those that are injured or ill. Specifically, they know that parrots are very noisy, messy and can and will bite, and they take precautions as directed by staff members against personal injury or property damage.
• Have the right to appropriate direction, education and safety measures and the obligation to avail themselves of these things, and as such they sign a liability waiver on behalf of the Society.
• Are valued and can expect respectful treatment.

If you require further information please contact us. We'd love to hear from you.

All donations to the World Parrot Refuge go directly toward the welfare and feeding of the birds.

The World Parrot Refuge operates under the auspices of the "For the Love Of Parrots Refuge Society" as a non-profit, charitable organization. With our current flocks totalling over 500 birds, and more arriving regularly, we need your help.

Monetary donations are the most flexible and useful in our daily operations, as they can be used to maintain the health and habitat of the birds as well as feed them. In recent years, Revenue Canada has changed and updated the rules regarding charitable donations, to make such gifts more rewarding to Canadians. We provide tax receipts for all donations, large or small. The following methods are available to you:

• Clicking on the following "Donate Now" button will take you to the CanadaHelps.org website and enable you to make a secure online donation via credit card.

  
  
  

• Clicking on the following "PayPal Donate" button will take you to the PayPal.com website and enable you to make a secure online donation with your credit card or bank accounts listed with PayPal's secure server.

  
  
  
  

• By cheque, payable to F.L.O.P.R.S. and sent to F.L.O.P.R.S. (For the Love Of Parrots Refuge Society), Box 645, Alberni Highway, Coombs BC, V0R 1M0
• By cash, when you are visiting the Refuge.

We understand that there is a personal limit to the amount that people can donate, no matter how worthwhile the charity. There are a number of ways you can help us to provide a "Home for Life" for previously owned pet parrots. Thank you!

Here are a selection of the special comments left in our guestbook by some of the many visitors to the World Parrot Refuge.

"Inspirational! You are doing such an amazing thing for these animals."
- Amanda Side, Calgary, Alberta

"Absolutely fabulous! Good luck with your future plans."
- Linwood Trask, St Johns, Newfoundland

"We are so glad that you are doing such good work for these animals. Please let people know how inhumane it is to keep these animals as pets."
- Linda & Dave Skinner, Miami, Florida

"Fabulous to see a safe haven for all these beautiful birds. Very informative and a wonderful idea. We will be back for another visit."
-Ron & Anita Mitchell, Victoria, British Columbia

"This is a most worthwhile project and obviously a labour of love. Troy gave an excellent tour. His knowledge and caring attitude toward the parrots made our time here a very special experience."
- Dianna Matsuda, Parksville, British Columbia

"A wonderful place and a happy ending for so many sad stories."
- Joan Auld, Ladysmith, British Columbia

The Refuge's beautiful 23,000 sq ft building provides a free flight, flock-oriented home for previously owned pet parrots. The insulated building is clad with steel sheeting (inside and out) for durability and easy cleaning. State-of-the-art radiant heating is fixed outside of the flights for the safety of the birds. The heaters are directed toward the flights, enabling the birds to choose a warmer or cooler location for their comfort. Wide patio doors on the enclosures will provide easy access to the large outdoor flights that are planned for the Refuge, to take advantage of the many warm, sunny days this area is famous for.

David and Jordi installed arbutus canopies in each of the flights to mimic a jungle habitat, so that the birds can enjoy a close to normal parrot lifestyle with the flock of their choice. They stay high in the canopy, chewing through a constant supply of arbutus branches and colourful homemade toys, which are constructed with a combination of natural wood (dyed with food coloring) and used Fisher Price and Playskool toys. These toys hang everywhere, awaiting playful destruction and ensuring a constant source of entertainment for the flocks. We also include knotted ropes for the parrots to swing and play on, or to use to reach the various feeding stations throughout the enclosures.

The Macaw House

This was the first section of the Refuge to be completed, and is a 5,000 sq ft area divided into four enclosures, each of which provides plenty of space for the macaws to fly. There are 16 double-glazed patio doors which provide access to a further 4,800 sq ft of outdoor flight space. Sunshine and natural trees within the safety of chain link fencing are available to the birds when the outdoor temperatures are parrot-safe.

The Cockatoo House

This section of the Refuge is a 5,400 sq ft area and is divided into two sides, with a ten foot wide walkway between them. The permanent enclosures have been completed on one side, providing a 90ft by 25ft flight which is already occupied by over 50 cockatoos - many of whom are already well hidden in their "jungle" home! These flights will eventually open on each side to outside flights having the same dimensions. All of the outside flights will also have an endless supply of chewable, perchable branches, reflecting the jungle canopy theme.

Amazon and African House

This section is a replica of the Cockatoo House, but these smaller parrots require branches of smaller dimensions and lots more of them! At present, the enclosure frames are constructed from timber, and are divided into five flights that are 25ft deep by 18ft wide. Once work is completed on the Cockatoo House, permanent enclosures will replace these structures, and each side will be converted into a single 90ft by 25ft flight, learning from the experience of the happy residents of the upgraded Cockatoo House.

The enclosures on one side are for the Amazons and, on the other side, for the African Greys and other African parrots. The area is also home to Eclectus parrots who love having the large floor area to simply run around.

Incoming and Special Needs

This is another 5000 sq ft section, located at the opposite end of the facility to the Macaw House. This section has a few uses, including the kitchen and food preparation area, housing for incoming parrots, large enclosures (eventually with outside flights) for new arrivals to become familiar with their new surroundings before choosing a flock to belong to, and the all important heart of the Refuge - the Judy Langille Wellness Centre. This special needs section has eight units complete with outside sunning areas for these birds who cannot fly.

The Future

As you can see from the following concept drawing of the finished Refuge, we still have a lot of work to do, including construction of many more outdoor flights to provide even more freedom for our special residents on sunny days. Please click on the "Donate Now" button below if you wish to help us bring this vision to life. Every dollar helps, and is tax deductible.

Concept drawing of the finished World Parrot Refuge, including outdoor flights and reception centre.

The World Parrot Refuge is a "home for life" for previously owned pet parrots. We do not adopt out parrots.

In their natural habitat, parrots group into flocks and remain with the same flock for life. Each member of the flock is invaluable and contributes to the safety and wellbeing of all. To be cast out by the flock can prove fatal to the ostracized member. This instinctual behavior remains prevalent among parrots in captivity, who were either caught in the wild or are the first generation of wild parents. For parrots who are passed from owner to owner or who are kept in isolation, the stress can be overwhelming. It can take years for such a parrot to feel secure.

We endeavor to provide our residents with a more natural environment for their comfort and mental stability. Being situated in Canada, instead of a tropical environment, makes this a difficult task. In response to this challenge, we provide large indoor enclosures for the many flocks that have become closely bonded since the parrots' arrival at the Refuge. These heated environments are well stocked with an abundance of natural branches and a variety of entertaining and destructible toys. Each day, the enclosures are cleaned and the flocks are fed a large variety of nuts, seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables. Ultimately, all enclosures will have access to large outside flights, allowing the birds to enjoy warmth and sunshine on days when the outside temperature is suitable for their health and comfort.

Many of the parrots that arrive at the Refuge require considerable veterinary care and continuous nursing. This requires love, dedication, and a great deal of money. The average cost to care for a healthy parrot at the Refuge is $500.00 per year. In addition, some birds require specialized and extended veterinary care, which can cost many thousands each year.

The World Parrot Refuge is a public educational facility dedicated to the health and well-being of parrots. Our goal in this respect is to raise awareness of the growing problems of parrots in captivity.

"This is, in a word, a great place and these miraculous creatures deserve no less, but few places can deliver it this well. It is, indeed, 'world class'."

– Stewart Metz (author and Director of the Indonesian Parrot Project), after his visit at the Grand Opening of the Refuge on August 13, 2005.

"The World Parrot Refuge is a true sanctuary where parrots live out their lives in a loving, spacious and happy environment under the guidance of extraordinarily caring people. The many visitors destined to pass through the refuge will come to understand that parrots are not toys or trophies, but beings with needs and emotions as real as our own."

– Rosemary Low (author of more than 30 books on parrots)