Our Adoption Process
Before applying to adopt… Some ground rules.
We NEVER place birds with smokers. That includes “only outside”, in the car, at work, or anywhere else.
2. Birds are never shipped!
3. We do not place birds with minors, and parents cannot sign on their behalf.
4. We do not SELL birds or bird cages/supplies. We are not a pet store.
5. We NEVER place birds with breeders of any kind.
View our Safe Home Checklist here. This is used during your home visit to ensure the environment will be safe for a parrot.
What species is right for you?
Meet the Birds Here!
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Schedule A Visit
A visit to the rescue allows you to interact with all our available parrots. You may arrive with a specific bird or species in mind, and end up having chemistry with another type you had not previously considered. A visit also allows us to determine your skills, comfort level, and how we can help improve bird skills. You may be required to make several visits.
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Home Visits
It’s very important for us to see the environment where your bird will be living. Some birds like to be the center of activity, while some enjoy a more secluded area to feel safe. Lots like to listen to music, or watch TV, or even be near a window. We can help identify potential dangers and eliminate them before your bird goes home with you. If you live more than 50 miles, we require a gas fee. We have volunteers in Madison, Chicago, most of Iowa, and parts of Northern Indiana.
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Finding Your Right Bird
Sometimes, finding the right bird happens very quickly. Other times it may take a while to find the right match. Parrots given the proper environment and diet can live very long lives so we make it a priority to take time and find the right fit. Iowa Parrot Rescue does NOT place by order of application.
What to Expect During Your Trip to the Rescue
The first visit to Iowa Parrot Rescue gives us a good insight into your home life, your expectations and preferences, time constraints, and an opportunity to figure out what bird(s) may be a good fit. We often go over dietary requirements for the species you are interested in, as well as caging, toys, perches, time requirements, noise level, and many more factors. It’s a good idea to bring a list of questions you have regarding specific birds or species. You’ll have the opportunity to meet everyone and hear their stories.
After the first visit, provided things go well, we will schedule someone to do a home visit. Our checklist is above in the white box, so you know exactly what we look for. This is another good time to discuss caging and placement of the cage. This can vary depending on the bird you want to bring home, so having a plan ahead of time will be beneficial to you. Most home visits don’t fail-only in situations that cannot be fixed immediately like evidence of smoking or mold damage to the house. You may have things to change before adopting, but we ensure you have the time to do this if everything else checks out.
Once the home visit is complete, we can move forward with your second visit here. This visit consists of much more hands-on time with the bird/s of interest. Sometimes the bird chooses pretty quickly and they go home faster than expected (even the second visit). It’s better to plan to make at least three trips here so you can really form a relationship and be confident in your decision to adopt. Remember-it truly is like bringing home a toddler in many cases. The smallest birds here will live 20-30 years, the largest over 80. It’s not a process to rush into and we will be sure that you don’t feel pressured into taking or not taking a bird before you are ready. We want to work together to get you the right bird the first time and continue to offer support well after adoption. There have been situations where the bird just doesn’t settle well into the routine at home. These situations are rare, but can often be worked through.
