Don't Buy a Parrot - Adopt A Parrot!

Occasionally people call or e-mail me asking me whether I can help them find a Quaker or other parrot to serve as a human companion. Sometimes these requests seem to me a bit whimsical, and which case I discourage them because when you contemplate bringing a parrot into your home you must prepare to make a significant long-term commitment to an emotionally demanding, highly intelligent creature who might even outlive you. On the other hand, such requests are often serious, for example the attempt to find a parrot to cheer up an existing companion who's pining for his or her mate. In either case I try to guide these requestors toward a legitimate bird adoption agency.

There are many legitimate agencies around, including Adopt-A-Pet (formerly 1-800-Save-A-Pet), which functions as a clearinghouse designed to match birds put out for adoption with prospective human adopters. Using Adopt-A-Pet is easy; just select your pet type, type in your zip code with a travel range, and search. When I searched Adopt-A-Pet today, there were many parrots looking for nice people to care for them.

Another good service is PetFinder.com. Again, just type in the kind of animal you're looking for, your zip code plus travel range, and you should instantly get results. So please use a service of this kind if you're looking for a companion and are prepared to make the commitment.