Bird Shelters Overrun as Foreclosures Take Toll

The US foreclosure epidemic, hard on all kinds of pets, appears particularly devastating for exotic birds, Reuters reports. People forced to vacate their homes are finding that cockatiels, macaws, and the like won’t fly at their new digs. Shelters for cats and dogs aren’t equipped to handle the birds, which need diligent care, and bird sanctuaries are overflowing.

“For some, it's like losing a child,” one sanctuary owner said of the long-lived avian companions. “But they know they can’t live out of a car with a bird.” Shelters are rushing to find new owners for healthy birds that can’t move with their caretakers. “I've definitely seen a higher turnover of birds in the last six months than I have in a long, long time,” the owner continued. (More pets stories.)