Nanaimo stepping up to help relocate 450 exotic birds from parrot refuge
City council votes unanimously to offer up empty SPCA facility to bird volunteers for one dollar
The city of Nanaimo is offering to lease out a former SPCA building to help in the relocation of 450 exotic birds from the soon-to-be-closed World Parrot Refuge in Coombs, on Vancouver Island.
Nanaimo city council voted unanimously to turn over the empty facility — for one dollar — so it can be used as a staging area while new homes are found for the birds. The lease will terminate in December 2016.
Wendy Huntbach, the founder of the Coombs refuge, died earlier this year. The facility was thus left in limbo while the bills stacked up and a major rat infestation set in. Surrey's Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary has stepped in to operate the parrot refuge which is facing an Aug. 1 deadline to close.
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Volunteers from Greyhaven are scheduled to tour the former SPCA building today to evaluate whether it fits their needs.
CBC News stories about the plight of the 450 birds — including macaws, cockatoos and budgies — provoked a huge response from people wanting to help or adopt a bird.
"So far, we're having a challenge dealing with all the offers," said John Creviston, a former Calgary zookeeper and Greyhaven volunteer.
He said anyone who wants to donate money or adopt a bird can email [email protected] and put the words 'adopt' or 'donate' in the subject line.