Placing a Parrot with HARP
Companion parrots come into our program for many different reasons, and most of them come from people and families who deeply care for their birds and never anticipated having to surrender them. We understand that the decision to surrender a parrot, and the process it entails, is often emotional and difficult. Parrots often outlive their owner’s capacity to care for them, or even outlive the owner themselves. Unforeseen circumstances, like the loss or change of a job or a home, adding a roommate or partner, or even having a new baby can play a role in needing to find a new placement for a bird.
Some important details to note:
- Whether you are ready to surrender your parrot(s) or are unsure about what to do, the first step is to fill out a surrender form. A volunteer will be in touch with you to discuss details, whether that is recommending some resources for behavior concerns to try and keep the bird in its current home, or giving you information about the next steps to surrender. We do our best to answer as soon as possible, but please note that we are a very small team of volunteers, and typically we have a waiting list of incoming birds – the need is great, and so we are also supporting and growing our crew of amazing foster volunteers! If you need urgent assistance, or would like an update, please email info@heartlandavianrescueproject.org. Once we meet, and the parrot is exchanged after signing the surrender agreement, your bird will be on its way to finding its next loving home.
- HARP will accept parrots from outside our operating radius if you are willing to meet somewhere in the Omaha area.
- We do not pay for surrendered parrots. Once a parrot is in our care, it will go to an approved foster home, where they will be loved and monitored for both health and behavior concerns. A nutritious diet, plenty of toys, socialization, and any necessary vet care will be provided. Upon completion of a minimum stay for quarantine and observation, we will begin accepting applications for adoption. We require a home visit and visits with the parrot before any adoption is finalized. It is often difficult and time consuming to find the right home for your pet on your own, but our founders have experience in successfully placing birds with amazing new families.
- We do ask that the bird be surrendered with its cage if it is in good condition and reasonably clean, along with a small supply of its current diet. If the parrot has not been seen by an avian veterinarian in the last year, or is in need of extensive medical care, we may ask for a small donation to offset this cost.
- If the need to surrender is an emergency situation, please note this on the surrender form. We will do everything possible to get back with you within 24 hours.
- At times, we may have a longer waiting period before being able to take in surrendered birds, particularly if you need to surrender more than one or we need to source a cage. We operate solely through approved foster homes, and it is often difficult to estimate how long it might take to find a placement.