Giving to a parrot sanctuary / other parrot-related organization

September 25, 2019 12:21 PM

So I'm trying to figure out which parrot-related charity I should make a donation to. Intended to be given in the name of a workplace superior who's done me a solid and who is also really into parrots.

So here's the deal: I'm in a situation where I need to give a gift to someone who fits the following criteria:

1. Is a workplace superior who's helped me out with reference letters, etc.
2. Is relatively formal / generally concerned with propriety
3. Is basically obsessed with his parrot

I'm thinking about giving a donation in his name to some kind of parrot sanctuary / other parrot-related charity, but I'm a little bit overwhelmed in trying to figure out which ones are reputable/useful/generally good for the world, and which ones are blah. Basically: what is the classy parrot charity for classy charitable people?

posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon to Pets & Animals (9 answers total)

I know that One Earth Conservation does a lot of work on parrot conservation down in Latin America.

https://www.oneearthconservation.org/projects

Another idea would be to see if there is a vet in your area that specializes in exotic pets (which can mean hamsters, birds, and other little critters) and see if they know of any local groups that specialize in parrots that you can contact.
posted by mrbarky at 1:08 PM on September 25, 2019

The Ara Project here on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica seems to be well regarded locally. I've met a few people who told me what good work it is doing.
posted by tavegyl at 1:14 PM on September 25, 2019 [3 favorites]

Best answer: Have a look at The Oasis, a parrot sanctuary in Arizona. I got to know them over 10 years ago when they were working to rescue a blue and gold macaw that had been abandoned in the Republic of Kiribati (see the story about Gulliver's rescue here). The Oasis is a 501(c)(3) charitable organisation, with accreditation from the American Sanctuary Association and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. They are good, committed people, who do good work.
posted by Tawita at 1:22 PM on September 25, 2019 [4 favorites]

Best answer: Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue is a rescue org that handles a lot of parrots. They can probably use a little extra help right now because California has placed a quarantine on bird movement related to Newcastle Disease, which I'm sure has made it a lot harder for them to do their job.
posted by tobascodagama at 2:09 PM on September 25, 2019 [2 favorites]

+1 for the Ara Project/Macaw Recovery Network. (The org split into 2 separate ones a couple of years back.) I visited their location on the Pacific side of Costa Rica a couple of years ago, and I was really impressed with the work they do. It's a modest operation, I have donated and would donate again. Basically they are working to support the wild populations of macaws in Costa Rica.
posted by stowaway at 2:28 PM on September 25, 2019 [2 favorites]

+1 for Mickaboo. I donated my car to them, they're really a great org.
posted by ApathyGirl at 3:06 PM on September 25, 2019 [3 favorites]

Best answer: Serenity Park takes in parrots in need of care and matches them with combat veterans who care for them. You may have read about it in the NY Times.
posted by mogget at 3:19 PM on September 25, 2019 [4 favorites]

Best answer: Yes! Mickaboo and other rescues *really* need your support. As a crazy bird lady myself, I'd be politely happy if you gave to a wild parrot group, but I'd be beside myself with joy if you gave to a domestic parrot rescue.

Are you willing to share at least what continent you're on?
posted by fiercecupcake at 3:21 PM on September 25, 2019 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Ended up going with a local parrot rescue. Thanks, all y'all bird people!
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 12:45 PM on October 25, 2019 [2 favorites]