In The Media                                                                                                                

Bird sanctuary must fly the coop ~ Haven for fowl looking for help in finding new place to roost
Wednesday, February 14, 2007, 

The Province,

Joey Thompson

 

SURREY - Sean and Sinead are a far cry from what anyone would expect of a soon-to-be homeless couple.

But when property values are through the roof, even lush green parrots are apt to feel the pinch of an affordable housing scarcity.

Add in the current mindset that what we tire of we just dump -- including pets -- to the mix and you'll see why the Nanday Conures are just two of a large flock of exotic tenants facing eviction from the 450-square-foot structure that Greyhaven Bird Sanctuary has occupied free of rent for a decade.

Searching for an appropriate alternative space before eviction at the end of March is well, for the birds. Which explains why director Robin Fiorese is almost as fidgety as her 30 feathered tenants.

And those are just the ones on site.

The Surrey sanctuary has another 70 to 80 frequent flyers under its wing -- all of which are currently in foster care throughout the Lower Mainland.

"With the ever-increasing number of exotic birds entering the pet marketplace, the issue of unwanted birds is rapidly growing," the Greyhaven website explains.

"It is suspected that [soon] we will begin to see the unwanted exotic bird problem reach the same magnitude as it is with cats and dogs."

Fiorese and the contingent of volunteers -- no one gets paid at this sanctuary -- have a large bill to fill: a rescue and rehabilitation refuge, a bustling adoption and foster program and an education centre aimed at seniors and kids. They took in 159 birds last year, 154 of which found adoptive parents.

But the suburban retail outlet that provided free accommodations for so long -- the sanctuary covered the heat and light -- wants the space back, forcing Fiorese to house shop: a retired greenhouse in Ladner required too many expensive renovations, a double-wide mobile held promise until she found it had been a grow-op and might be colonized by mold.

Ideally, Fiorese would like to double the current square footage to make room for the consistent hike in occupants: 159 birds last year compared to seven in 2001.

A one-storey structure such as a rancher with wheelchair accessibility and close to public transportation would enable seniors and the disabled to tour the haven and visit the occupants rather than make the birds come to them.

Would a building with office and education space, a medical room with running water and washrooms be too much to ask for a worthy operation that hums almost solely on private donations and fundraising revenues?

Fiorese says rooming with a compatible animal rescue and rehab centre, such as rabbits on the mend, would be a workable option.

And, if you're interested, Sean and Sinead, black-faced 13-year-olds who are oh so in love, have needs similar to their feathered roommates: they demand lots of time and attention, have a ton of energy and enjoy stimulating activities like chewing wood and baskets, playing with toys and flying.

"Although we have minds of our own and can be mischievous, we go into our cage with ease and are very good watch birds," their adoption profile reads.

"We love getting attention from people if it is associated with food -- offer us some of our favourite snacks and we'll be on your shoulder in a flash! Ideally we want to be in a home where we are the only birds and where the humans understand us and allow us to prove how truly wonderful we are."

If you think you can help Fiorese, contact her at: 604-888-4469.
 

E-mail: info@greyhaven.bc.ca