Adoption

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A Lifelong Commitment

Adding a parrot to your family is a BIG decision. Yes, parrots are beautiful, majestic creatures with remarkable intelligence, and they can bring immense joy into your life. All of this is true. What is also true is that parrots are wild animals with long lifespans who require constant care, attention, and commitment. Even smaller parrots can live 25–30 years, while larger species may live well into their 70s. Imagine sharing your home with a wild animal that has the intelligence of a 3–5- year-old child—equipped with a powerful beak that functions much like a pair of pliers. In the wild, parrots forage constantly.

They use their beaks to tear into trees, fruits, nuts, vegetation, and even the ground throughout the day. This instinct doesn’t disappear in captivity. In a home environment, that natural behavior can translate into chewed window molding, damaged furniture, or gnawed antiques. Wild parrots consume a wide variety of grains, fruits, vegetation, and nuts, flying many miles each day to forage. In captivity, food is readily available, which means parrots move far less. Because they do not get the same level of exercise, they cannot process the high-fat diet they would eat in the wild. As a result, companion parrots require a carefully managed diet that is much lower in fat and rich in fresh, healthy vegetables.

Our Adoption Standards

Recent studies have shown that parrots possess far greater intelligence and emotional depth than previously understood. Brain scans reveal an extremely dense concentration of neurons in the pallium (their functional equivalent to our cerebral cortex) —more than some large-brained primates. Parrots do not thrive when confined to cages without toys, enrichment, or social interaction. They require mental stimulation, strong social bonds, and a variety of toys and activities to remain healthy and emotionally stable.

We know you have choices when considering adding a bird to your family. With so many ways to acquire a parrot, adopting through Wings of Love Bird Haven is a deliberate and thoughtful decision. Please keep in mind that we are a sanctuary and rescue. Our mission is to find permanent homes for our flock mates. We are their advocates and their voice, and we take that responsibility very seriously. Each bird in our care is treated as one of our own.

Our Process

Many of the parrots at Wings of Love come from pet stores or have been passed through multiple homes. Often, people acquire a parrot without fully understanding the long-term commitment, noise level, destructiveness, or behavioral challenges involved. These birds may be rehomed again and again, experiencing increasing instability and developing deep mistrust of people. Eventually, they are labeled “aggressive” or “problem birds,” when in reality they are frightened, confused, and unhappy.

A sobering statistic: 85% of pet parrots are rehomed within the first two years. For all of these reasons, our adoption process requires potential adopters to volunteer with us for a minimum of three shifts working with the type of bird they are interested in adopting. During these shifts, you’ll spend time with the birds while changing enclosure papers and tidying their spaces. This allows you to observe natural behaviors in an environment where the birds feel safe and comfortable— and to begin building a relationship.

Know Your Bird

Before adoption, it’s essential to understand a bird’s individual personality and needs. Some things you’ll want to learn include:

How loud is this bird?
Does the bird vocalize frequently?
Is the bird quick to bite?
Does the bird prefer men or women?
Is the bird fearful of anything in particular?
Is the bird a neat or messy eater?
What are the bird’s favorite foods and treats?
Does the bird step up?
How does the bird behave when hormonal?
Can the bird fly?
Is the bird social with other parrots or animals?
Are there any medical or physical concerns?
Does the bird require medication?

These are just a few of the important considerations. Knowing the answers ahead of time leads to a smoother adoption and minimizes unpleasant surprises once the bird enters your home

Preparing Your Home

After completing your volunteer sessions, we will schedule a home visit. A member of our management team will visit your residence to assess the following:

Air quality: Are air fresheners, scented candles, smoking, or vaping present in the home?
Cage placement: Is the cage located in a safe, low-stress area? Are cords or hazards nearby?
Sleep space: Where will your parrot sleep? Parrots require 10–14 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night in complete darkness and quiet.
Teflon products: Items containing PFOA, PFAS, PFC, or PTFE (commonly found in non-stick cookware and appliances) are deadly to parrots. All such items must be removed from the home prior to adoption approval. Please carefully check your household items.
Living space: Does the parrot have adequate room to play, explore, and simply be a bird?

Final Approval & Policy

All adoptions must be approved by the Executive Director. Any concerns will be discussed with you prior to approval. No adoption is finalized without this authorization.

If, for any reason, a bird is returned after adoption, the adopter will not be eligible to adopt from Wings of Love Bird Haven for 12 months. There are no exceptions to this policy. For this reason, it is critically important that you are confident in your decision.

Our adoption process has evolved over time and reflects what we believe gives parrots—and adopters—the greatest chance of long-term success. Everything we do is centered on the well-being of our birds and the families who welcome them into their lives.

Thank you for taking the time to learn, prepare, and choose responsibly.