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About Us

Albatross Aviary is a unique avian rescue and sanctuary dedicated to providing permanent care, shelter, and rehabilitation for companion parrots and other exotic birds when rehoming options are scarce. Our refuge particularly focuses on exotic companion birds like parrots, including parakeets, cockatoos, macaws, and other Psittacine species. However, we warmly accept all types of companion or exotic birds and other captive avian species.

Why Bother?

The crisis of unwanted exotic companion birds is a harsh reality that cannot be ignored. Parrots, the third most popular companion animal in the US, are unfortunately the most frequently abandoned. This fact becomes even more tragic when considering the remarkable level of self-awareness that parrots and other exotic birds possess. The trauma they experience when abused or neglected is especially devastating to these highly intelligent creatures. At Albatross Aviary, we firmly believe that parrots and other exotic animals should have never been captured and domesticated as household pets in the first place. However, we also recognize the urgent need to address the crisis at hand.

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Commercial breeders often prioritize turning a profit on new "inventory," while potential parrot guardians are frequently ill-prepared for the realities of life with these birds. Parrots' wild nature, natural inclinations for vocalizations, aggression, flying, mating, and destruction can overwhelm most guardians. Furthermore, standard pet industry practices such as hand-rearing (which involves parental deprivation) actually hinder a parrot's ability to mature into a healthy, well-adjusted adult bird and increase the likelihood of failure as a "pet" in adapting to their environment. When combined with their long lifespans and the staggering estimate of 3-5 million baby birds bred in the US each year, the result is a true crisis of unwanted parrots.

In the face of this growing problem, exacerbated by the constant ecological threats that drive many bird species to extinction, Albatross Aviary stands as a custodian, dedicated to addressing this specific issue. We firmly believe that armed with proper education and community support, along with a new understanding of parrot behavior, we can halt the re-homing and homelessness problem and ensure a quality of life worth living for these magnificent creatures. When parrots have all their needs met and live in a loving environment, the undesirable behaviors that often lead to abandonment cease to exist. That is precisely our mission.

 

At Albatross Aviary, we provide a sanctuary and rescue organization where parrots find love, care, and a second chance at life. Our focus is not only on the immediate welfare of these birds but also on empowering their future guardians through education and support. By spreading awareness about responsible parrot ownership, highlighting the specific needs and challenges involved, and fostering a community that embraces empathy and compassion for these animals, we aim to bring about positive change.

 

Join us in our mission to make a difference in the lives of companion birds. Your support, whether through volunteering or donating, can help us provide the care, rehabilitation, and advocacy needed to address the crisis of unwanted parrots. Together, let us create a world where these extraordinary creatures are valued and protected, and where their well-being is prioritized above all else.

925 Bridge St. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
info@albatrossaviary.org

© 2021 by Albatross Aviary Bird Rescue and Sanctuary

Albatross Aviary is a Michigan-based 501(c)(3) Domestic Non-Profit Corporation

Company Number: 801999065

Established in 2015

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