With not enough money to even sustain a house, ex-homeowners are leaving their foreign pet birds, either to animal shelters, relatives or in their foreclosed homes. This presents another terrible effect of foreclosure, abandonment of exotic pet birds.
In Poughkeepsie, New York a bird-allergic real estate agent Jeffrey Dolfinger brought two disheveled cockatiels to a pet shop after finding them starving in a foreclosed home. Thanks to Dolfinger, these birds are currently re-nourished back to health in the pet shop.
Exotic bird surrenders from foreclosures are not yet tracked but animal rescuers noticed the overwhelming calls of pet owners looking for new or temporary homes for their lovely, unique pets.
Most pet owners do not know where to appropriately leave their pets. Since most animal shelters are for cats and dogs, they are not fully equipped to handle our feathered friends, better yet exotic ones.
Macaws, parrots, cockatiels and cockatoos are somewhat high maintenance. These pets are very loud and destructive; they may disturb themselves and their environment.
Judy Sawin from the Avian Retreat in Seattle has 25 birds under her care and considers caring to them as an additional full time job, besides her full time in a construction company. She is currently receiving 8-10 foreclosure related cases per week, constantly increasing the number of bird under her care.
Mollywood is a bird sanctuary in Bellington, Washington that is currently caring for 400 foreign feathered friends. The past six months has such a turnover that seemed to be a record breaker for a 15 year experienced bird foster.
It is really heartbreaking, almost like losing a child, to leave an already beloved pet just because of unsettled finances. We better find ways to prevent further foreclosures or help the already troubled to save their homes and also their pets.
