Went to visit the house of horrors

Jumpingtadpoles

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Oct 22, 2013
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We are looking for a bird for our family. It's very much like we are pregnant and waiting for the day the new addition comes to the family!
First, I'm going to tell you I was warned. I am educated about what it was like there. However, I honestly thought it was closer to an exception then the norm. I never expect to see what I did. I thought I would see a sad bird in the corner. I expected to see many pluckers. Many angry, screaming individuals. I just didn't expect to see blood.

I decided to use this day to go to a store, a town over, that I knew had vet wrap. I had heard they carried it for $1.99/roll.
While I was there I got kitty nail clippers, dog treats, and when i couldn't find the wrap, I asked. The nice woman showed me where it was. I was disappointed there was no neon colours. So I settled with one roll brown, one roll dark green, and 4 rolls of yellow.

I was having fun. I asked my girlfriend what you want to do now. She mentioned she had about 2 more hours until her next plans, so I asked bosleys, or the parrot refugee.

I have wanted to see for myself what this place was like.

I had been told it was horrible. And I wanted to see for myself, before I got parrots, and could infect them with the diseases I heard were rampant in this place...

I have spoken to volunteers from there. One had surrendered her own birds, and it was a decision she regretted so deeply that she decided to invest her own time to volunteer there, just to be with her birds sometimes.
Other volunteers have said no bird lives much longer then 4 years, and they all leave in a shoe box.
I have spoken to uneducated public, who usually speak of getting attacked, and no one there to help. In fact, the couple that came in at the same time as us left bleeding, horrified.

The man was so excited as we were in the thrift shop paying at the same time for our admissions. He left with a]scratch just beside his nose, down to his mouth.

I'm sure the memory won't be pleasant.

When we walked in the cockatiel flight cage is on the left. I seen several birds clinging to the cage bars for dear life. They were so scared I knew their little hearts wouldn't last long. The horror they were feeling would soon overcome them and they would die from stress and disease. They were literally petrified stiff. Wouldn't move. That was just the beginning. And it was what I actually expected to see.

To the right is another flight cage of smaller parrots. Alexandrines, conures, senegals, Indian ring necks, that size of birds. I only grazed my eyes over them, as I was distracted and drawn to a lovely fellow trying to eat my feet. This beauty looked up at me and said with its sweet voice "why! Hello!"

I returned a hello to you too, and tried to keep walking, but I ended up tripping and stepping on his little foot, so I decided to reach down and pet him. He was friendly, so I asked him to step up. This was my first friendly face.
He was pleasant, and I kept him on the crook of my arm while I walked through this particular area.

There were many birds, here, of different species. None caged, but there were cages available. There was a bonded pair of double yellows, a few cuckatoos, and a few African greys.

I really liked this fellow, with his head buried in the crook of my arm. But I was eager to go to the left, into the large area, designated flight cages for macaws.

This area is separated by thick plastic strips hanging in the door.

As i walk in the first big boy says hello loudly, then raised his head feathers. He immediately lunged angrily, which frightened me because I was looking at what he was eating. It appeared to be a tray of only seed mix. Just like you buy from walmart.
Beside that was a tray of melons and apples cut into chunks.
On that tray was a very large and mean looking boy. He lifted his wings as every featherless standing on end when he lunged I didn't jump. That seemed to anger him more. Whatever, there were tons of birds to see.

They gave us ear plugs when we were paying I the thrift store out front, and I had them stashed in my kangaroo pocket.
Suddenly one bird called. The building is made of metal, and that call echoed loudly, bouncing off the walls. The another one goes, soon it seemed they were calling I'm assuming it was a flock call. Now the call was loud, but the echo rang through me, literally buzzing my bones. I couldn't see right with every echo.

I was frantic. Quickly frantic, to pull these ear plugs from my pocket. I tried to get them I but as my head vibrated from the sound I began quickly worried about my hearing, and ran forward to the next room, also separated by thick hanging plastic.

This Next room had three flight cages.

I think it's important to say; the flighted cages are closed. They are human linked areas, that general public isn't supposed to go in.
There is a walk way through the middle of these rooms.

I was happy to be in this room.

To the left was two flight cages, one with only African greys, the other on the left had more macaws. The macaw cage had a very big bird on top of it, he climbed down and said "hi, what a big bird you are!"

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To the right was a large flight cage with the larger cuckatoos. There was also a smaller macaw.. I don't know why he was there. I was still trying to gather myself from the panic attack inflicted from the last room.

I turned my attention to my friend. She was in aww at the sweet mollucans hanging on the fencing. One really caught my heart. She told me her name was Dolly.

"Hello! Hello Dolly!" She said over and over, pinning for attention. She really needed to be taught "look at me! Love me!"
She was a very large specimen. The prettiest pink. I wonder writing about her why her owners placed such an amazing bird in a place like this.

They get told things like "birds needs each other" and "this is the only right thing to do, a home is no place for a parrot". So I'm guessing they think it's best..

As we walked back, toward the door, and towards the macaw area I ran from my friend pointed out a bird.
She whispered " Oh My Gosh it's bleeding." I was still paying attention to Dolly who was following me down the side of the cage. I was crouched, trying to feed a grape off the ground. When I looked up my soul froze. Therein front of us was a clean plucked mutilator, with blood dripping down her bare chest, from a gashin her throat, an inch long, a few millimetres deep.
I knew from looking at the gash it had been there a while it looked infected, very red, and had a green crust on the upper right side. I quickly turned away and went back into the macaw room. I'd rather be in there now.

We wandered through there, and went back to the main area.
We walk straight ahead in the main area, and into he next room, also separated by plastic.

In here there was two large cuckatoo flight cages on each side, and small long flight cages in the middle. Budgies were in one, and love birds in the other.
We were immediately greeted by a loud and friendly "hello!" And an out reaching foot, with two toes bitten off to the knuckle.
I could see this game right away with this feathered gremlin. He wanted to grab me and eat me alive. Surely his toe loss was simply from another bird trying to live past his attack. This bird flowed me to the end of the room.

After the initial greeting from the gremlin the happy couple whizzed by, saying "don't go in the last room, you'll be lucky to leave within an inch of your life" the gentlemen was bleeding, and the wife looked scared. Ok. I can handle that room. Maybe

At one point I seen a group of birds in the ground having a tousle. I crouched down to watch and a cuckatoo came running to me.
"Hello!" He exclaimed as cute as can be, and then jumped up onto the fencing and reached out for me.. Oh it's you again, gremlin!

The next room was suppose to be the room all the new animals are brought in. The woman at the thrift store said they do this to start the socailization. Get them used to being around birds.

This is the room the happy couple were running from.

This room was separated by a sliding glass door. The door was being guarded on he other side by a goffin. He either wanted out, or to eat us alive first.

"No way I'm going I there" my friend exclaimed. She assured me she would help me open the door, and told me to scream if I need help opening it again. She told me if they kill me, I'm on my own.

So I took a deep breath and went in.

She closed to door behind me. I slowly stepped in to my left was two blue and golds on the floor decimating a banana box. One was picked cleaned other then the edges of her wings, and her head, and her tail feathers. I was immediately dive bombed by someone. Whoa! Then a second time, this time I know it was awhile something. As a spin, trying to see my fierce attacker, I noticed to gargoyle by the door is missing

Jesus, it's a 6 inch bird.

She lands on my back. A volunteer appears out of nowhere this is the second one I had seen. The other was mopping a cuckatoo flight cage. She helped get the perpetrator off my back and left. I've only made it 4 steps in. I notice some cages in the middle, and suddenly get dive bombed by 2 birds one lands on my back. I get frightened. I'm alone in a room with birds I don't know. Many rival me for size.
I note this and quickly step back to the door. I usher the gargoyle back to the shelf by the door. I push the heavy door back. It's obviously broken, and can't stay on the track. The gargoyle desperately tries to get out. I gently push her back in and close the door the rest of the way, hoping I didnt catch any of her toes as I did. I turn my attention to my friend.

"To the last room?" I asked. She says she doesn't know if she will go in. It's also a free flight room, where visitors can go in.
 

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OP
Jumpingtadpoles

Jumpingtadpoles

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Oct 22, 2013
304
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Vancouver Island
Parrots
We are looking for a bird for our family. It's very much like we are pregnant and waiting for the day the new addition comes to the family!
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Post split in two, as it was too long...

She does come in, and both of us are immediately chosen to love on several birds. I have a sweet Quaker, and she gets a goffin. As soon as I help her get the goffin off, a caique jumps on her. I warn her to be careful, but she is smitten by him. Love at first sight.

View attachment 10132


On the floor is a large cuckatoo stomping towards us. His demeanour isn't friendly. I'm immediately intimidated, and I know this guy could be my match. He goes after my feet, and I bend down and push him gently away saying "no." He doesn't get the idea. It's obvious we've found another evil white guy. Lol.
This guy is as comical to me as the toes missing bugger.
He followed us the whole time.

It's about this time I look up to see a lovely amazon above me. It was being bullied by a bird smaller then him. I don't know what kind of bird. It was almost half the amazons size.
As I'm watching the smaller bird try to push the larger bird off the branch I realize his one eye is bleeding. Oh My Gosh. There is no eye. It's caved in, and blood is pooled around the edges. He turns the other way, trying to get away from his bully, and I see his other eye is the same.

View attachment 10129

He has lost both his eyes, and no one has noticed, or cared. There is no one around to tell. I look away. In disbelief. Then I snap a photo. It's a quick one and I go to the back of the room.
I realize the stories are true. And it's worse then I thought it was.

I go to my friend, and she is still with the caique. She fell in love with the caique, and a little bird seemed to be trying to nest in her hoodie on her back.
But the white demon on the floor kept trying to tear her boots off, and she got scared so she left.

That left me as his target. Great.

I used a banana box on the floor, pushing it with my feet to keep him away. It wasn't working.
Meanwhile I'm in love with this goffin, who is reaching up and rubbing herself, showing me where to rub, and this Quaker is preening my ear lobe and hair.

View attachment 10128


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Finally I get the BRILLIANT idea to stand IN the box. This gave me time to be with my new loves. The Quaker made my hair his home, while the goffin only cared to experience love.
I stood there, took a video and a few pictures, then noticed the time. My friend had to get home, and the travel is about an hour.
So I made my way to the door, as a macaw loudly said hello to me. He was COVERED in feces from the birds above him. The goffin I was holding was disgusting. The birds all needed access to water to bathe in. Actually thinking about it I don't remember water. It must have been there, but I don't remember seeing any.
I asked the birds I had to step down as I was leaving. My heart was heavy by now. The cuckatoo that greeted me first ran up to me. I picked him up and he immediately stuck his head back in the crook of my arm. The thought crossed my mind that it would hurt to get bit there. I decided the bite would be worth it to show this boy love as I walked to the door.
Tears in my eyes, I put him on the ground and said good bye to him.
He will leave in a shoe box too, just like all 900 other birds here.

I turn and close the door, heading to my car.

I now understand why it's called the house of horrors.

I now feel even stronger this place needs to be fixed.
I understand the need for a place like this. But this is mismanaged. So many people have tried to speak up against it.

EVERYTIME the SPCA is called they call Wendy first, giving her the chance the cleanup and make it look right.
The truth is the SPCA isn't equipped to help 900 birds, so they basically turn a blind eye to the neglect and stupidity involved here.
There is no quarantine.
Sick birds are released into the general population.
Terminal birds are brought into hospital to die.
Very little vet care is given.
The diet wasn't very good IMO.
The birds were FILTHY. Really filthy.

I don't know what to do.
That was terrible.

I'm sorry if there are spelling mishaps. I tried to be thorough. My ipad is being a jerk with my space bar....
 

MikeyTN

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"Dixie"LSC2, and "Nico" Scarlet Macaw.
Your story saddens me, this is part of the reason why I don't like places like such. That little bird that's attacking the Amazon is a Blue Crowned Conure. Certain bird species just aren't meant to be together. All the mean ones that's picking on others needs to be kept solitary or within their own species. Not in a main population area. Is there any way you can get people to sign a petition for them to do something about this situation cause those birds don't deserve that. Like you've said, it's being mis-managed. They need someone who knows how to manage that place to go in and take care of the issues. Don't they have any type of volunteer vet that helps out to check on the birds??? I'm gonna go to bed very sad after reading this, it makes my heart heavy.....
 
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Jumpingtadpoles

Jumpingtadpoles

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Oct 22, 2013
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We are looking for a bird for our family. It's very much like we are pregnant and waiting for the day the new addition comes to the family!
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Ugh. I had a reply typed but I was booted from the app
http://worldparrotrefuge.org

This is the place

I'm hoping to maybe create a ripple.
This place is well known and gets surrenders from around the world.
When it started the bird community rejoiced. Her idea sounded good. But as time went on she bumped head of the experts involved. They all have eventually walked away. Allowing her to do as she wants. I hear it's questionable how money is spent.
She drives a fancy new escalade I heard.
Her son drives a new Beamer.
There is a volunteer trying to create change. Maybe you guys could look at her Facebook page "The Parrot Coalitiin" and like it, and sign any petitions she creates?

This community is vastly not supportive of her (Wendy, who owns and runs the refugee), but support what it was supposed to be. She has failed and is now god of the birds on Vancouver island.

They need help and know one knows where to start. I'm starting here I guess.
 

MomtoPercy

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How horrifying :(

I wonder how many of the birds destined to die in that hellhole came from uneducated or worse, uninterested owners? This is why it is SO important do adopt older birds. There are so many adult birds needing love and care out there :(
 
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Jumpingtadpoles

Jumpingtadpoles

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Oct 22, 2013
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We are looking for a bird for our family. It's very much like we are pregnant and waiting for the day the new addition comes to the family!
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There are none here to adopt. I have been looking since last summer. They ALL get surrendered because it's easier.
 

RavensGryf

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Jan 19, 2014
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College Station, Texas
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I also don't know what to say. Like Mikey said, I will also go to bed very sad with a heavy heart over this, and in the morning, look at my boys and give them big kisses and tell them how much they're loved.
 
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Jumpingtadpoles

Jumpingtadpoles

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We are looking for a bird for our family. It's very much like we are pregnant and waiting for the day the new addition comes to the family!
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Nightmares all night.
I've got to do something. But when so many have already tried, including animal behavioralists and other rescues, who truly know more then me.... What hope do I have :(
 

Nakiska

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4 Cockatiels 2 males Chicken Little & Charlie, 2 Females Chiquita and Sweet pea. Yellow Sided Green Cheek Conure -Franklin and our now tame, rescued feral Pigeon - Belle.
:( OH MY GOODNESS! I woke up unable to sleep about 3 a.m....read this post of yours....I can say I am forever traumatized.

Right then, I wanted to get out my babies and hold them near and reassure them they are all with their forever home.

What was worse, was when I went to the website link and seen posts from a couple people who left their parrots there and were almost pleading for an update.

Just kills me that places like this exist.

I don't know what can be done...but some how, some way, this place needs to be shut down!

Sorry you went there, sorry I read this post...now, I'm off to plunk my head in the sand! :(

Toni
 

Terry57

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I am sobbing after reading your post. And the birds who talked must have had someone who loved them at one time. Why would people think this is a viable option for your birds???
My heart is breaking and I wish there was something I could do - that we could do.
That poor amazon who was blind...I cannot get him out of my mind.
 
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Jumpingtadpoles

Jumpingtadpoles

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We are looking for a bird for our family. It's very much like we are pregnant and waiting for the day the new addition comes to the family!
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No. They cannot be adopted. Only sponsored. And there are never updates on the birds. Wendy doesn't "know" any, other then her favorites.
 

Terry57

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What does sponsored mean?
 

Nakiska

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4 Cockatiels 2 males Chicken Little & Charlie, 2 Females Chiquita and Sweet pea. Yellow Sided Green Cheek Conure -Franklin and our now tame, rescued feral Pigeon - Belle.
I have to keep telling myself...THAT situation does NOT make up the majority, but little consoling to my heart that does.

I was telling my husband about your post and I said...what a great way for this woman to get peoples beloved birds of all breeds...probably for free in many cases...just to let them all go to he..ll... :(

My heart broke for the ones you said would talk and greet you walking through the doors....someone loved them dearly at one time...the ones who are now vicious...in some cases became that way...their survival instinct.

And the blind one...oh my gosh, rip my heart out!

I could never go there and leave without some birds tucked in my coat, purse...what ever...anything to save...even one...if I lived near by...I'd probably start a protest right in front of her doors!
 

Nakiska

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May 30, 2011
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Washington
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4 Cockatiels 2 males Chicken Little & Charlie, 2 Females Chiquita and Sweet pea. Yellow Sided Green Cheek Conure -Franklin and our now tame, rescued feral Pigeon - Belle.
What does sponsored mean?

It means you send her money and maybe she sends you a thank you card with a picture and a description of the bird you are "virtually" feeding and caring for. Only the money probably doesn't go there.

It's how she get's money for this organization...in the beginning she probably meant well...but now...it's out of hand. :(
 

RavensGryf

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Jan 19, 2014
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College Station, Texas
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Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
What does sponsored mean?

It means you send her money and maybe she sends you a thank you card with a picture and a description of the bird you are "virtually" feeding and caring for. Only the money probably doesn't go there.

It's how she get's money for this organization...in the beginning she probably meant well...but now...it's out of hand. :(

"Only the money probably doesn't go there" !!! :(:mad:
 

RavensGryf

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Jan 19, 2014
14,233
190
College Station, Texas
Parrots
Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
As Terry said, the Amazon with no eyes truly DISTURBS me also. It goes without saying the whole thing is really so upsetting.

Another thing is if viral disease is rampant, and the workers are out and touching their own birds, and going to bird stores and potentially spreading deadly virus to the general population, that does nothing towards eradicating these diseases! Although obviously disease can never be completely eradicated, if everyone was more conscious in their effort towards it, perhaps occurrence of the deadly viruses would be a little more rare. Ok, enough of my rant before I go OT, but just saying...
 

BoomBoom

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May 2, 2012
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Boomer (Sun Conure 9 yrs), Pewpew (Budgie 5 yrs), Ulap (Budgie 2 yrs), Eight & Kiki (Beloved Budgies, RIP)
So, so sad. It's depressing to know such a place exists. All those poor birds... :(
 

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