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May 2025 by Vanessa Smith Duchman
This place does absolutely amazing work with rescuing parrots!
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December 2024 by Maxine Hillary
I’ve donated and volunteered there since 2008. Brian knows more about parrots than anyone I’ve met in over 30 years of animal rescue. The parrot industry is unregulated and lucrative and greedy breeders will sell a bird to anyone regardless of whether they understand the responsibility and work that comes with having a parrot as a pet. These birds live the lifespan of a healthy human, and since most of these birds are the result of failed homes, Brian is extremely careful about who adopts them. His requirements are stringent, but they are in the best interest of the bird. When you volunteer you not only bond with the bird, learn how to care for it, prove that you know what you are doing, and it really helps the Foundation. Brian is partially disabled and volunteer help is really important in managing a flock of almost 40 birds. Some of these birds have been abused, neglected, or abandoned and as one of the most intelligent species on the planet, their trauma has to be dealt with using love and consistency. Their beaks are sharp and if you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s dangerous to you and the bird. Brian is a true parrot whisperer who has really been able to rehabilitate the most traumatized animal and he is careful in rehoming. You can spend thousands on a bird or do the work with WPF and have a wonderful companion for free. Adopting a parrot isn’t like getting a cat or a dog and it takes dedication and patience all too many people don’t have. I wholeheartedly recommend WPF.
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December 2024 by Chang Chia-En
The Wilson parrot foundation is really a super great parrot rescue center. All the birds are taken care of very well and they are not just staying in the cages. Their cages are open most of the time. But people there pay attention to which ones cannot be together, so if those birds are out of the cages, some need to be in their cages etc. so many small things that are important to the birds’ health and wellbeing. I live in the west coast, so I cannon be there to do real help but can only do donation. They do need volunteers and donation as well!
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August 2024 by Zachary
I only volunteered here for a few weeks. I wasn’t for me, I couldn’t hack it. Definitely for the most dedicated of bird lovers, as almost any animal you will be trying to adopt will have some medical or behavioral quirks from prior owners.
I loved working with the animals and I love everyone’s passion and dedication to the birds. The animals are more well cared for and loved than any pet store someone might surrender a bird to.
As a volunteer you will be either cleaning crew or food prep on any given day. During the work, and after work is complete volunteer are encouraged to socialize/play with the birds!
I strongly encourage anyone who has a passion for animals and free time to give it a try and see if it’s right for you!
One of the only things that really bothered me where there were no good facility/spaces for the 1:1 time that would be required to target/clicker train the birds, which is the absolute best way to help certain birds over come certain behavioral issues. This is minor though as the foundation is doing the best it can given its minimal resources and tight staffing. There are also some birds that come in surrendered under duress without medics or behavioral issues and these birds should probably be going immediately to foster homes to prevent them from picking up bad habits from the more troubled birds. But the foundation currently does not have a foster network.
p.s. Theres some kernel of truth to the complaining reviews about denied adoptions but it seem to come from a place of love. Brian doesn’t keep an official list of which animals are up for adoption and which are forever birds because he wants to keep the option open for “when the planets align” but this seems to cause confusion and frustration for potential adopters, and because the policies are not well codified or written, it can cause animosity when someone commits 6months of volunteering, and building a bond with a bird, still to be denied. The issue that could be ameliorated with clearer expectations for adoption qualification being committed to page on the website, or during volunteer induction, so there are no surprises. As it stands now a decent handful of birds here regardless of medical or behavioral issues would probably require a bunch of volunteers advocating on
behalf of a particular volunteer to take a particular bird home, and doing so
persistently over a very long period of time.
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August 2024 by Flora
Having to be 30 years old and volunteer to adopt a parrot clearly does not help parrots! I feel bad for them.
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May 2023 by Miriam Encinas
It is a wonderful place ?
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January 2023 by BALARAM PRADHAN
Nice people and awesome work.. parrots are oh my god.. love the place.. just wonderful feeling…
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October 2022 by Jeanette French
Brain goes above the call of duty to care for his flock and make sure that the owners and birds are a good match, he has adopted out many, many birds and the homes have been very good ones, well matched . He is totally committed to his birds like no others, he eats breathes and lives parrots. He does what ever he has to in order to make each bird safe and well cared for, his volunteers are exceptional. Brain loves these magnificent birds and treats them the way they should be treated and teaches the adoptee how to take care of them, and they can always ask him for help if it is needed. Out of sight is not forgotten. I have never seen a more committed person to these birds. If anyone is unable to spend the time needed to volunteer at the Foundation for this small amount of time and commitment , they don't have time for a parrot.
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October 2022 by Melissa Cregger
I volunteered here with my husband when we lived nearby, and the parrots were absolutely wonderful and I felt like I was walking among one huge feathered family. I carried two African Grey parrots into the house from their day cages outside, and I was amazed as they casually started conversing with one another. It was truly a fond experience and I highly recommend anyone to go and help out if they can!
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October 2022 by Loretta Doyle
I called the foundation and no one answered so I did not leave a message. I was looking to purchase another bird. I just received a phone call back from them saying how rude I was for not leaving a voicemail and they block those people from calling anymore. Those people just want something for free he said. I’m not sure what the man’s issue is and I was honestly dumbfounded so all I did was apologize for not leaving a message. Never will I call them again.
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October 2021 by Aashir Alvi
I called and asked about parrot adoption. The person that answered was really rude and disrespectful and said have a good day after I jumped asked one question. I don't know why the person was very rude and disrespectful I greated the person very well.
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October 2021 by Brock S
If you look at this guys adoption policy it’s clearly designed to ensure almost no one actually adopts. He doesn’t even have a website where his policy is posted except on adoptapet (where no animals are listed as available). You have to be 30 years old or older. You have to volunteer 8-10 hours a week for six months. You have to foster for a year IF a bird chooses you (I assume Wilson will decide if a bird has chosen you). This eliminates a lot of good homes. People who work from home who might not have weekly access to a car. People who have minor disabilities that can’t do hours of heavy lifting cleaning multiple cages but could handle one. Etc. This is one of those tax-exempt parrot hoarders. I’ve adopted from two other rescues and I can tell you these policies aren’t normal. Don’t be fooled and don’t waste your time.
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October 2021 by Estela Molina
Thank you for caring for my Quaker by making sure he got back home safe and with his rightful owner. I am also glad to live in a community that cares. A special thanks goes to the owner of Crazy 4 Dahlias whom took my bird to Wilson Parrot Foundation.
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October 2020 by Peter Jolles
I volunteered here yesterday. I am not a bird expert but I was expecting a bunch of unhappy screeching birds and plucked feathers. Not the case at all. The place was like a big family of birds in different aviaries. The focus I saw was on keeping the birds calm, clean, well-fed, warm, and happy.Learned more about parrots in three hours yesterday than I could by surfing google for days.Going back today. It was time well-spent.
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October 2020 by L P
This is one of the cleanest, most well-maintained bird sanctuaries I have ever come across, and I plan to help the owner however I can once I finish my college courses this year. Each parrot was out of their cage and they all appeared to be happy and healthy. They are fed a diet of fruits, vegetables, and an appropriate amount of grain. The outdoor aviary was warm and comfortable, even in the frigid weather.By the way, @Stephanie Holderfield: If your family can't even afford time to volunteer to help birds in need, I very highly doubt your home life is remotely stable enough to keep any of these birds happy and healthy. Most of them were either rescued from hoarding situations, negligent owners, or have had their humans pass away. You are gravely underestimating the amount of attention these birds require. Go buy a budgerigar or cockatiel. You'll thank me later.
