Visit Some Avian Friends at the World Parrot Refuge
Polly want a cracker?
At the World Parrot Refuge on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, winged residents get lots more than a mere cracker.
This non-profit, educational facility operated by FLOPRS (”For the Love of Parrots Refuge Society”) provides a “Home for Life” for previously owned pet parrots. Parrots have a very long life span, so it is very likely that they will have a need for more than one owner over their lifetime. Many parrot owners fail to foresee or plan for this, making it increasingly common to have parrots turn up in shelters. The Refuge is a home for life for these parrots, and it does not adopt out.
The estimated cost to care for a parrot in a good quality sanctuary is approximately $10/week. This amount covers a healthy diet, shelter, warmth, light, safety, free-flight enclosures, and skilled veterinary care. That doesn’t sound like a lot of money, but with current residency at over 500 parrots, which, unfortunately, seems to increase daily, it is easy to see how the World Parrot Refuge has its work cut out for it.
The Refuge is open to the public every day, from 10 am ““ 4 pm, and visitors have the opportunity to meet and learn about these amazing birds. The Refuge is located at 2116 Alberni Highway in Coombs, Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
Visitors to the Refuge are occasionally treated to up close and personal meetings with the avian residents, and many birds enjoy being cuddled and fussed over. If you can’t visit in person, you can meet the residents online via the Parrot Gallery. Parrot lovers can also support the work of the World Parrot Refuge through its Adopt a Parrot program.
Photo credit: SXC
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POSTED IN: Car Trips, Outdoor Activities, Things to See & Do
2 opinions for Visit Some Avian Friends at the World Parrot Refuge
Wendy Huntbatch
Mar 6, 2007 at 10:35 am
An small update on the article about the World Parrot Refuge on Vancouver Island.
Since 2 longstanding Canadian Parrot Refuges have closed their doors this year - due to lack of funds mainly - the overload of Parrots needing a Home For Life now falls to us. We have over 6oo at the sanctuary currently. 19 arrived last weekend and more are waiting to move in. Our overheads are $20,000 a month so we really look forward to many visitors to the sanctuary and to the website to help with this enormous cost. We are a registered charity and do not have any government funding. Hope to see you soon.
Mary Jo Manzanares
Mar 6, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Thanks for the updated informatio, Wendy. You run a great program taking care of our feathered friends.
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