Welcome to the home of the Lily Sanctuary. Your tax deductible donations make it possible for these birds to have a safe and happy refuge. Volunteers are greatly needed to help care for these feathered friends.If you have a heart to help, please go to our volunteer page for complete info.

 

FUN LINKS!


Free E-Cards


Talon Treasures

 

 

 

 

 


So You Want To Adopt A Bird?

 Adoption is a decision that takes careful consideration and commitment. Owning a companion parrot is extrordinarily different from cat or dog ownership. Companion parrots have a life expectancy of anywhere from 25 to 85 years. Birds are curious, intellegent, emotional, able to bond with humans, vocal but naturally noisy, messy, time consuming and expensive. A proper cage costs several hundred dollars. Accessories such as a travel carrier, play gyms, toys and a first aid kit are not optional, they are necessary. Avian approved toys are essential to fulfill the birds natural need to chew and play and must be replaced frequently. Quality water and food, both dry and fresh, must be provided daily. Vet bills are costly, must be budgeted for, and when a parrot displays signs of illness it's often already too late. This can not be bred out of them because in the wild it's survival of the fittest, which is why they hide illness symptoms. The bird's safety cannot be overstated and knowledge of toxic substances and dangerous situations need continuous, diligent attention.

 Daily maintenance involves fresh food preparation, cleaning up, changing cage papers, and spending time with your bird. Cages, stands and other bird accessories should be scrubbed and sanitized weekly. Noise is a major factor to consider from both the owner's perspective and that of neighbors. It is natural for parrots to vocalize, especially in the morning and at dusk. They don't think they're obnoxious, that's what they do.

 If you are willing to live your life around the needs of a companion parrot, the next step is to learn everything you can about them. Personal commitment to ongoing education is critical due to the changing world of information. The birds at our sanctuary have already been through the gamut of situations regarding their history and we feel a tremendous responsibility for their future and to eliminate any negative similarities to their pasts. Frankly, many of them have been abused to some degree, so consequently some of our birds have special needs that require additional care and costs. Our commitment is to place the bird in it's final home.

 
                          Adoption Donation Fee Schedule
 In the past we worked on donation basis, based on ability-to-pay. We have since been forced to set a nominal donation fee to be paid before the parrot leaves our sanctuary. Your donation is tax-deductible.
   -Budgies, Parakeets $20.00
   -Cockatiels, Lovebirds $40.00
   -Parrotlets                        $80.00
   - Conures,  Pionus, $100-200.00
   - Senegal, Meyers, $300.00
  -Amazons $300-400.00
   -African Greys, Eclectus $400.00-450.00
   -Lesser Sulpher crested, Citron , Goffin’s Cockatoos      $450.00
  - Hahn’s, Severe, Yellow Collar, Illiger’s macaws $450.00
   -Blue & Gold, Military, Scarlet, Green Wing Macaws, Umbrella, Moluccan, medium & Greater Sulpher Crested, Rose brested & Triton Cockatoos $500.00

Fees for special needs birds or species not listed will be discussed at the Sanctuary

Lily Sanctuary Adoption Requirements

 Hopefully parrot ownership means more than just owning a "pet." To take the next step you need to decide that this is a lifetime commitment you are ready to undertake. If so, the process is to fill out our application to give us information about you. You will be contacted by our adoption coordinator and interviewed by phone to discuss our requirements and assess your qualifications to move to the next step. Our requirements include;

 ~You must be at least 25 years old to be considered for adoption with us.

 ~Bird experience is preferred but not necessary; however it is mandatory for adopting our larger birds.

 ~Candidate's home environment must be suitable for the safety and needs of properly housing a companion parrot.

 ~An appropriate sized travel cage or carrier.

 ~A fully equipped first aid kit and knowledge of emergency care.

 ~Clearance of ALL Teflon/non stick cookware, counter top grills, continuous cleaning and/or convection ovens and Teflon coated irons, curling irons or other personal items. If you are not willing to do this you will not be considered to adopt from us.

 ~After a successful  phone interview and review by our adoption committee,  you will be invited to visit the sanctuary by appointment. If you need to change your appointment please give us at least 12 hours notice. No-shows will no longer be considered as candidates.

 ~If one of our birds chooses you and you want to pursue it, you will be required to make a number of visits to the sanctuary to bond. If bonding on either side does not take place, you may find another bird that works out even better.  If not, we can place you on our waiting list.

 ~When all parties have agreed this is a good selection, the next step is a home- check, which is not a white-glove test. We need to assess your home for safety and suitability, as well as meeting any others who live in the home and would be dealing with the bird.

 ~We provide a basic parrot care class taught by an avian professional with many years experience in all levels of education about exotic parrots.  The class is mandatory, and there is a nominal fee for attending.  In the future we may be able to provide more classes about specific elements of bird issues.

 ~You must have an approved species-appropriate cage and all necessary items before the bird goes home with you.  All fees must be paid in full.

 ~ You will receive a Temporary Adoption Contract, wherein you must agree that you will never breed, trade, sell or give away your bird. There will then be a 3-month probationary period and one more home check before you receive a Permanent Adoption Agreement.  We ask that you keep in touch with us and report any difficulties you may encounter-- we are happy to follow up with behavioral suggestions and anything else you may need help with during the transition.  If the adoption does not work out, the bird is to be returned to The Lily Sanctuary. 

 ~Your bird will be microchipped and registered to The Lily Sanctuary.   We will continue to follow up on the adoption for a year, at which time we will do the final home check.  After a year you may transfer the Avid registration to your name as secondary or alternate owner at your expense if you wish; the transfer fee is nominal.  Please notify us of any changes of address, phone numbers and problems or good reports with the adoption.

 

 

 

THIS SANCTUARY IS LOCATED IN CENTRAL ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. THEREFORE ALL ADOPTIONS ARE LIMITED TO OUR LOCAL AREA
 

Full Name              age  (you must be 25 years or older to qualify)
Spouse's full name         age  
Children? yes  no    How many?        Ages range from     To  
Address        City       Zip        
Home phone     Cell phone    
Email address   
Please check which applies to you  House Apartment  Condo 
How many people live in your home?   
Occupation   
Is your home smoke free? yes     no    
If NO, where do people smoke?
Does anyone in your home have allergies or asthma? yes     no
If you rent, does your landlord or home owner's association allow pets? yes     no
Do you use non-stick cookware? yes    no 
Do you use non-stick electric appliances? yes    no 
If yes to the above, are you willing to completely clear your home of these items?yes  no
Would you be willing to rid your home of ALL toxic cleaning products?  yes  no
Where do you plan to place the birds cage?     
How many hours a day is someone home?         
Who will be the primary care giver?     
Is the rest of your household aware and in favor of adopting a parrot as well?
If NO, please explain 

Does the primary care giver have experience with parrots?  yes  no  
If yes, please explain 
Do you presently have other birds living in your home?yes  no   
If yes, please list what you have
Do you have other animals living in your home?yes  no  
If yes, please list                                                                   
Have you had a bird in the past, but no longer have? yes  no
If yes, specify how did the relationship end?
Are you aware that exotic birds require a great deal of care, are time consuming, and proper maintenance
may be expensive?yes   no      Are you prepared?yes  no
Are you aware that the bird you adopt could develop habits such as screaming, biting or plucking?yes   no
What would you do if your bird developed any undesirable habits?
Under what conditions would you consider giving up your companion bird? 
Who can care for your bird in the event you go on vacation or need to leave for a family emergency?
What is their bird experience?
* It is very important for this person to form a relationship with your bird so that your bird is comfortable
in your absence
What species of bird do you want to adopt?     Why? 
What kind of traits are you looking for in a bird?
Are you willing to adopt a handicapped or non-perfect bird?  yes   no
The fact is, that many of our sanctuary bird come with baggage and need extra love and patience.
Do you plan on breeding your bird?yes   no
Do you plan on maintaining clipped wings yes  no
How may hours a day do you plan on spending undivided attention with your companion bird?
It is not uncommon that a bird will bond with only one member of your home, and show aggression to
other members of your home. Would this pose a problem in your home?yes  no
How would you handle this situation? Be specific
What would happen if your bird chose another member in the home over you?
Additional Comments?

By completing this application, there is no guarantee that you will be able to adopt a bird from 
The Lily Sanctuary. I do hereby certify that the above information is true and correct.

Your name  Date