October 1, 2006

We have learned that on this coming Saturday, October 7, a group of parrots are to be auctioned at a general livestock and "exotic pet" auction. These intelligent, beautiful creatures are being billed as "items" to be sold. These parrots have likely already been traumatized by life circumstances that led to them being auctioned in the first place. We can't stop such auctions but we can rescue as many parrots as we can from the "pet-go-around" and give them a true "Home for Life". Just because they will go to the highest bidder, their sale doesn't mean they will be guaranteed a happy and healthy life where they will be loved and understood.

You may remember that we rescued three King Parrots from a similar auction in Victoria, all of whom are doing very well. The female was ill when we rescued her but our avian vet, Dr Anne MacDonald of Night Owl Bird Hospital, saved her life and now she is flying around and having a real life instead of being used as a breeding machine.

Even if we can only save a few parrots at least they will get the life they deserve. Please help us raise as much as possible between now and Friday night for the auction taking place the next day. Every donation will help, no matter how small, because if enough caring people help it will make a difference. Visit the World Parrot Refuge website for donation options and please let other caring people know. On behalf of these desperate parrots, thank you.

Please click on the thumbnails below to learn how you can help some special birds have a home for life through our "Virtual Adoption" program! More stories coming soon!

Birds who are now partly sponsored, thank you!

Birds who are now fully sponsored, thank you!

"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)