If you read our pages often, you'll know that Joey (whose story may be found here) had a very challenging life, which changed one day when she found herself here at the Refuge, in the care and loving arms of people who understood what she needed. What you may not know is how well loved this precious cockatoo was. You could not miss Joey when you entered the Special Needs Unit, as she watched you with her patient gaze. You found yourself gravitating toward her and spending time talking to her, giving her gentle scritches, and telling her how beautiful she was. She would soak up the love, often closing her eyes to let you know how safe and content she felt in your presence, while radiating that love back to your heart in the way that only these special beings do.

In her last two days, Joey began to sleep a lot, and her heart rate became extremely slow. At 8pm on May 10, she slipped into a coma while Val - her loving and dedicated caregiver - held her. Later during the night, Joey's heart stopped at 12.30 am on May 11. Her passing in Wendy's arms was very peaceful, and in her last moments she flapped her wings and made a sound that said goodbye.

We were blessed to have Joey with us, and hope you will also hold her story in your heart, and share it with others so everyone will know that such special beings were never meant to be pets, and were always meant to be free.

Grant, one of our special volunteers, has made a beautiful tribute to Joey on his blog. You will find it here.

Fly free, Joey!

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)