Providing life-changing care and environment for special needs avian species in Minnesota.
Animal protection groups today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for unlawfully exempting an untold number of birds from protection under the federal Animal Welfare Act. Plaintiffs Humane World for Animals (formerly called the Humane Society of the United States), American Anti-Vivisection Society and Avian Welfare Coalition argue that APHIS is again defying congressional intent and putting birds in harm’s way.
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www.humaneworld.org
The Animal Welfare Act is supposed to protect birds; why is the USDA exempting so many bird breeders from federal oversight?
Cookie and Ernie remind us of something important about parrot welfare: many parrots benefit deeply from the company of other birds.
In the wild, parrots are highly social animals. They spend much of their lives with flock mates or bonded partners, communicating, foraging, resting, preening, learning, and navigating the world together. Their lives are built around social connection.
Humans can provide love, safety, and care, but we cannot fully replace another bird. We do not speak their language of posture, feather movement, contact calls, mutual preening, or shared routines. A bird companion, when safe and appropriate, offers something uniquely species-specific: the experience of being understood by another parrot.
For many birds in captivity, healthy companionship can encourage confidence, play, movement, exploration, and comfort. Some learn by watching another bird bathe, try new foods, or interact with their environment. Others simply benefit from sitting close, vocalizing together, or sharing quiet routines.
Cookie and Ernie are birds through and through. They have each other, and that kind of connection can offer something even the most caring human cannot fully replace. While every bird is different and companionship must always be based on choice and compatibility, their bond is a beautiful reminder that for many parrots, another bird can be one of the greatest gifts to wellbeing. #MAARS #parrots #sanctuary #cockatoos #nonprofit
