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Foster Parrots, Ltd.
No Kill Policy

Foster Parrots, Ltd. is a no-kill sanctuary. By policy we authorize euthanasia only to end the suffering of a terminally ill or injured animal. Even then making that final determination is emotionally charged and invariably traumatic. However, while euthanasia of a suffering, dying animal is virtually never called into question, the euthanasia of healthy, unwanted animals is often a matter of controversy.

We have been criticized time and time again for our no-kill ethics. Sickly birds cost money and drain funds from healthy animals. Unadoptable birds take up precious space. No-kill standards limit the capacity of sanctuaries and shelters to do more extensive rescue work. All of these criticisms are certainly valid from an objective point of view. However, objectivity is not what led us to dedicate our lives to the care of animals. We steadfastly uphold the value of operating from an emotional standpoint. This is what allows us to feel the animals we care for and to come to an understanding of each abandoned pet as a sensitive, intelligent creature capable of feeling fear, confusion, loss and sadness as well as love, comfort, pleasure and joy. We regard each bird under our care as an individual - valuable and worthy of respect and personal consideration. In this regard we are incapable of limiting any one parrot's stay here with a death threat, or bringing a life to a premature end in order to avoid a bill for medical services. Having an emotional response to our job is what drives us to do our job. We would suggest that anyone in the animal welfare or animal health fields who can execute their job without emotion should possibly consider an alternative occupation that does not involve caring for lives.

Recently confronted about our position on euthanasia, Marc Johnson replied, "We cannot in good conscience remove these tortured souls from the gaze of those responsible, sweeping them under the carpet of self-indulgent consumerism, never to be heard from again." Indeed, euthanasia is a final solution that provides an easy out. It grants the pet industry the luxury of reaping the profits from the birds it produces without having to acknowledge the suffering of an ever growing population of unwanted avian pets. Likewise, it cushions people from the consequences of impulsive and irresponsible consumerism. Euthanasia gives us permission to keep making the same mistakes again and again.

The word "sanctuary" implies a haven, a place where one is protected and safe from harm. That is what Foster Parrots, Ltd. provides and that sanctuary is not contingent upon being attractive or compliant enough to be considered adoptable or always being healthy enough to avoid incurring medical charges. The word "euthanasia" by definition means "good death," killing an individual for reasons considered merciful. To end the pain of a dying animal is certainly merciful. That is euthanasia. When we put down a healthy wild animal because it has failed as a pet, or take the life of a sick animal to avoid medical costs...let's just call that what it is. That's just killing.

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