Not having space for two large birds, it was now necessary to find a home for Isabella or to face the euthanasia of one of the two birds.

Faced with space constraints and an adoption protocol that does not properly screen potential adopters, traditional shelters face the continuous return of many of these larger birds. We have reports of animal control agencies and SPCA shelters that routinely euthanize larger birds due to the efforts involved in constantly re-homing returned birds.

In the Boston, area birds with behavioral or medical issues (plucking included) are now being euthanized regularly. Tragically, most parrots who find themselves cast into unfamiliar situations in the midst of strangers will behave defensively and aggressively, thus earning a behaviorally problematic label and a death sentence.

Isabella has now found a permanent home at Foster Parrots. Unrestrained by cage bars, she lives freely in the front room with nine other Macaws. While she remains untamed, she often responds enthusiastically to women who come to greet her. She has begun to show a bit of spunk recently, sometimes making aggressive gestures at visitors. This is not a bad thing! This is the sign of a once very insecure, fearful bird gaining confidence and beginning to recognize her own sense of place and importance.

We hope that Isabella will leave her troubled past behind her and begin to let her feathers grow back. She is a good bird who deserves to live a life free from fear and uncertainty.