Rescue volunteering?

I've been considering volunteering at a parrot rescue center. I'd really like to get some experience with larger parrots, but I don't have the space for them, so I thought it'd be cool to work at a shelter where I could have contact with a lot of different parrots. Of course, I also want to do something for all the parrots that need homes. I'd love to be able to help these poor birds. However, I'm a bit concerned for Pippi. If I were to volunteer, I'd have a lot of contact with a lot birds, many of which could be sick. Would it be likely that I would transfer diseases from the birds at the rescue to Pippi? Does anyone else volunteer at a shelter/rescue, and if so, what have your experiences been? Any advice is appreciated...thanks in advance!

I have not volunteered at a rescue but I ran one for years and sick birds are always quarantined separately from the general population so, as long as you don't handle or, if you do, are very careful about washing thoroughly and changing your clothes afterward you should have no problem. Besides, most parrot contagious diseases are carried in the poop so as long as the healthy bird does not eat or breathe in the poop of the sick bird, they are fine.

Pajarita said:

I have not volunteered at a rescue but I ran one for years and sick birds are always quarantined separately from the general population so, as long as you don't handle or, if you do, are very careful about washing thoroughly and changing your clothes afterward you should have no problem. Besides, most parrot contagious diseases are carried in the poop so as long as the healthy bird does not eat or breathe in the poop of the sick bird, they are fine.

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You have to decide if it is worth the risk that even after showering, changing clothes, including disinfecting your shoes, if you want to risk your little ones life if you do bring something home.

Only you can made that decision.

Thanks for the advice both of you! It's good to know that most diseases are carried in the poo, but I'm still nervous about it...

Just wear gloves and scrubs. It would be an interesting and informative (if not heart wrenching) experience. The question is, do you have the space for more birds? Because there's a good chance you'll be adopting

Haha...I wish. My parents' rule is no more pets until one dies!

I have visited a rescue several times. Our bird club sponsors this rescue and helps out where needed. I have attended several open houses there. It is heartbreaking for me to see 85 birds in one basement of a house. It was extremely loud as most of the birds were Cockatoos and Greys. Most were all plucked to some degree and there is NO way all that many birds get out of cage time weekly. This rescue also boards birds and takes in others for rehab of behavior problems. I can honestly say that I would never send my birds there for boarding as I can say for certain they would be miserable from the loudness.

I do think there is a need for rescues, and people to volunteer and help out at the rescues. If it is something you want to do, then by all means do it. Just take the above advice on making certain you do not transfer any diseases to your flock. Some diseases are airborne and could easily be transferred in your hair or skin or clothing. Make certain that you also do not wear the same shoes home as you wear at the rescue.

I volunteer every second Sunday.
I just wash my hands and things I wear when I get home.
Somebody has to do it.
The sanctuary where I volunteer keeps birds in quaranteen and birds get checked by a vet before they get them out with other birds.
The risk of catching something is always higher, but there is risk in everything we do every single day.

A good rescue has all birds vet checked before allowing them to be with the rest of the birds. I would wash hands , wipe off shoes with disaffection wipe and go ahead and change clothing. The zoo I worked with asked us to put on lab coats and wipe off shoes before we would enter the back rooms anywhere.

I recommend that you do it if you are able. Be mindful of hygiene to keep your own flock safe. It would be rewarding, for both you and the birds you help there. There is WAY more to do there than to just clean cages. You could even introduce adoptable birds to clicker training, and help socialize traumatized birds, all which makes the easier to place in homes.

Lots of ways for you to help, and it is a good resume builder when it comes time to get a job.

Joe