Parrots rescued from a Vancouver Island bird sanctuary have taken flight from their space in Vancouver and are now in a new home at a Ladner-area farm.
Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary rescued the birds in the spring of 2016 from the World Parrott Refuge in Coombs.
Greyhaven’s communication director Jan Robson said after the rescue they had 100 birds housed at the former SPCA building in Nanaimo, another 130 at a house in Maple Ridge and others in a building on East 8th Avenue in Vancouver.
“At its height we had probably 165 birds in that space in Vancouver,” said Robson. “Really we had them there and everywhere, but through adoptions we had around 70 in that Vancouver space that we have now moved to a new home in Ladner.”
Robson said the space in Vancouver was slated for demolition when they moved in. Delays in permitting applications gave Greyhaven a number of extensions, but recently those came to an end.
“One of our board members saw a notice on Craigslist,” said Robson. “The people in Ladner had space on their property, are animal lovers and supportive of what we do, so it was a perfect fit. We were grateful for the space in Vancouver, but now have windows, we have light – it is quite a lovely change for the birds.”
The birds moved into their Ladner digs last weekend.
“We are trying to keep the location under the radar for the time being until we get settled in,” she said. “At some point we will most likely have an open house. We are just so thankful for the new space. The birds have moved a couple of times, so they understand what is going on, but they handled the move to Ladner really well.”
Robson said everything during their now 20-year operation has been a challenge.
“It’s really been a leap of faith right from day one,” she said. “I feel like for the last two years we have done a whole lot of leaping, but every time we have been leaping we have landed safely, so you just learn to trust.”
The facility is solely operated by volunteers who donate their time to the well-being of the birds that are under the care and protection of Greyhaven.
Robson said they are always looking for volunteers and financial support. To learn more about what they do email info@greyhaven.bc.ca or check out their website at www.greyhaven.bc.ca.
