Exotic Birds Find Home in County

Posted on: Jun 9th, 2009 | News and Announcements

Mobile County Animal Shelter employees didn?t know quite what to do with seven exotic birds that ended up at the shelter three weeks ago. Animal control officers were called to the home of a Mobile County woman who had passed away, leaving caged birds in and outside of her house. After getting the surprise donation, the county called in experts to help with care as it tried to figure out how to find the birds a new home. The birds, including three Macaws, a large white parrot and an Amazon parakeet, are valuable and have specific habitat and dietary requirements. Local veterinarians and animal rescue groups brought over food and gave advice on how to minimize the stress on them, since the birds initially exhibited fear in the unfamiliar surroundings. Their foster care at the county animal shelter will come to an end this morning, when they are officially transferred over to Chaos and Critters, a rescue group that is scheduled to pick them up at 11:30 a.m. at the shelter at 7665 Howells Ferry Road. Having no process for adopting the birds out, the Mobile County Commission decided Monday to approve the transfer of the birds to Chaos and Critters, a local rescue group that specializes in exotic animals. Going forward, the county is considering establishing new guidelines that will expedite adoption of exotic birds, fowl and livestock in the future. ?I?m glad that we have an organization that can provide the birds the care they may need and to help find them good homes,? said Carmelo Miranda, county humane officer. While the birds initially were unsettled by all the changes, they are much more comfortable again, judging by the amount of bird chatter and their willingness to be handled now by shelter staff.