FAQs about Adoption Donations ("Fees"):  Click HERE.

FAQs about Adoptions

Why don't you show pictures of birds awaiting adoption on your web site?

The omission of photos and descriptions of birds available for adoption on this web site is intentional. We prefer to get to know you better before discussing specific birds that would be right for you! Also, we admit birds into Parrots First's programs weekly—sometimes daily. We would not be able to keep web site listings up-to-date, and we may have new birds come in while processing your Adoption Application. We do, however, proudly display photos of our happy adoption and sanctuary birds in our Birds We Have Known & Loved section.

I would like to visit Parrots First. Where is Parrots First located and what are your hours?

Parrots First is not yet open to the public on a walk-in basis.  We base our operations out of our home and most of the birds in our care are at foster care locations. Please contact us if you would like to learn more about Parrots First or visit with our adoptable birds.

I live more than an hour away from the Los Angeles area. Can I adopt a bird from Parrots First ?

Probably not. If you live more than 60 miles outside the Los Angeles area, it may be difficult to fulfill all the steps required in our adoption process. We require that you visit the bird one or more times at our home to make sure the match seems right. We also require a home visit from a Parrots First representative. On rare occasions, we work in cooperation with another experienced bird adoption representative outside of our normal service area to place a Parrots First birds. Most likely, we will try to refer you to a quality bird rescue and adoption program in your area. You may also visit our Parrot Links page for recommended agencies.

Does Parrots First ship birds?

No. All Parrots First adoptees must be personally accompanied to their new homes by their adopters or an experienced guardian.

I am under 18 years of age, but I love animals and am very responsible. Can I adopt a bird from Parrots First?

We appreciate your dedication! However, if you are a now a child or teenager, the chances are very good that your life will change dramatically over the next 20 years. You may go to college, move around a lot, start a time-consuming career, start a family, or go through another change that may make it hard to care for your bird. Unlike hamsters, cats, dogs, and most other common pets, birds can live for a long time! While we encourage your devotion to animals, we know it is best to adopt a bird to a person or family who can make a long-term commitment to his/her care. It is also best if everyone in the household is committed to the well-being of the bird. If your parents are supportive of the adoption and agree to the terms of our Adoption Contract, please have them fill out an Adoption Application.

Does Parrots First adopt birds into breeding situations?

Absolutely not! Just like cat and dog shelters have a logical, mandatory spay/neuter policy to help slow down the flow of more unwanted animals into the world, Parrots First requires that our birds never be bred. There is no point in producing more birds when there are thousands and thousands of unwanted birds already alive, suffering, and waiting for placement in new homes.

What criteria does Parrots First use to evaluate adoption applicants?

Home Evaluation Checklist click HERE (for PDF click HERE).

These are the things Parrots First representatives look at when determining whether or not to approve an adoption applicant for the placement of a bird in his/her/their home.

You say no personal checks accepted for adoption fees. Why is this?

Too often we have accepted a personal check from someone only to have the check be returned for non-sufficient funds. We haven't run into a situation yet where we weren't able to get the money, but we plan to stop the problem before it becomes a big problem.

FAQs about Donations

Are donations to Parrots First tax-deductible?

Parrots First, Inc. is registered with the Office of the Secretary of State of California as a non-profit charitable organization. Parrots First is  recognized by the IRS as a 501(c) (3), tax-exempt, nonprofit organization. All donations made to us are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

FAQs about Our Policies, Ethics & Activism

What is Parrots First's' stance on the ethics of bird breeding?

Because of the current exotic pet craze, the homeless companion bird population is increasing at a frightening rate. Public understanding about the demanding needs of parrots and other exotic animals has not yet caught up with their novelty. Even with the best intentions, we feel that very few people are capable of making a lifetime commitment to the care of a parrot. Unfortunately, bird breeders—some supported by large-scale pet supply chains—have responded to the popularity of exotic pets by producing more and more baby parrots. Since it is not in the best interest of business to talk people out of buying one's product, thousands and thousands of babies are now being sent home only to be rejected for being the wild animals they are.

Yes, conscientious, small-scale breeders do exist who are highly educated and selective about where they place their babies. However, with the number of homeless birds already rejected and awaiting placement, we can't see the point of producing more, even under the best circumstances. To solve the homeless bird epidemic, we feel that the public must be educated about what demanding pets birds can be. We also feel that breeders—even the conscientious ones—must stop producing more and more birds for a highly uneducated market that is already spilling over with homeless birds at the "other end."