Yes, if you check out other bird chat sites now, there are private people who advertise that they are personally looking for a (free-almost free-cheap) parrot. Also, one recent ad now notes that they are a rescue organization, but they want a MACAW for themselves, but they won't pay an adoption fee because they "rescue". I do fail to see what doing rescue has to do with advertising for a MACAW for one's personal self.
Most of those (cheap?) posters do not so much as come right out and say they want a free bird, but it is implied. They will mention that they tried to to adopt from a rescue organization & that it did not work out for them: i.e., they were not approved by a rescue organization or realized they did not qualify.
The common thing that one sees these people advertising is that they have "lots of love to give, lots of time (stay at home moms or retired or disabled), do not have the money to pay for a parrot, or their kid wants a bird for his birthday." They "think" a rescue organization will adopt them a bird free-almost free-cheap parrot out of pity for themselves too. Is there any wonder why a rescue organization will NOT adopt out to that particular person, or any other person they get "bad vibes" from?
There are LOTS of totally valid reasons why a lot of people may not be approved to adopt a bird from a rescue organization. (I was refused to adopt a cat from a shelter once. I did not agree with their thinking. So I got a rescue cat elsewhere a week later, no big deal.)
Yes, there are good -- and questionable -- parrot rescue organizations. There are good and bad people who have a 501C3. There are good and bad people who do NOT have a 501C3 too. (A 501C3 is only an IRS reporting tool. Having this status is highly over-rated, in my opinion. See the IRS site on the Internet for their rules in this regard.)
I do not feel that all bird rescue organizations should be lumped together as being a waste of time to deal with. I think if one really believes in the "rescue" of an animal, one should gratiously count their adoption fee as a donation to that organization for the good work those people are doing.
And if you honestly plan on keeping that parrot for the rest of its life, what is the problem with following that rescue's rules for placement?
Why cut a rescue organization down because they are strict in their policies either????
It is a rescue organization's JOB to research the adopter also to make sure that person is qualified to adopt a large bird. That bird may be abused or have been passed around thru several homes in its life so far. Maybe it is about time "someone" cares enough to put "qualifications" on adopting that parrot to make sure that bird is happy in its new home.
If someone can't afford an adoption fee, whatever the amount it is, then that person has no business looking for a parrot in the first place. Parrots are not toys for kids, or trophies to own. Also cheap parrots could also be sick...
A friend of mine once told me that a lot of beginner bird people see a program on Animal Planet and viola! they contact a rescue organization to get one of those "cute birdies that talk and do tricks." When that rescue organization turns them down, for whatever reason, or someone realizes they do not fit the mold to adopt from that organization, then suddenly that particular person posts how horrible dealing with a rescue organization is. That just sounds like "sour grapes" to me.
AND adoption donations ARE totally necessary if an organization (or a person) plans to take in unwanted parrots, vet check them, buy treats and expensive seed mixes for them prior to placing them. Taking in an animal is not like taking in an inanimate object. There is a lot of WORK involved in finding proper homes for birds too. So smile and pay that requested donation. You may be passing up a peach of a parrot!
If anyone chooses to get into rescue out of the "goodness of their heart" and then proceeds to give away the birds they end up with, that rescue person will go broke and will go under in a short period of time. But strangers will get a bargain in a cheap parrot from you! Hooray for them! Go ahead and waste your time if YOU wish to do this. It is all a matter of semantics. If you have a money tree growing in your backyard, then congratulations and a pat on the back to YOU.
I think most of us here are died-in-the-wool long-time parrot owners. We paid full price or maybe did adopt a bird from a rescue organization. Since we already own parrots, we KNOW the ups and downs of parrot ownership. Their care is not cheap.
Rescues are run by parrot owners too. There are reasons why policies HAVE to be established to make sure PARROTS are placed in the best homes possible thru their organization.
One other comment: When one refers to bird rescue organizations as "hoarders" I think that is a little insulting to anyone who has good intentions to want to help save an unwanted animal.
The term "hoarding" is misused so often now. Many internet sites define exactly what a "hoarder" really is, so I will stop here....
BTW, a "hoarder" can also be someone who personally owns 10 parrots and 4 dogs too "if" they fit that term's definition......
OK, I am off my soapbox now. So sorry, I guess I just like to take the side of the "underdog"....
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Chat Disclaimer: My comments on this site are of my own opinion. My intent is a friendly chat, to promote the welfare and proper care of parrots, offer helpful bird advice, to alert this site to issues that may result in financial loss, or issues (pro or con) that may arise concerning obtaining, purchasing, or adopting pet birds/parrots. My intent is not to criticize or hurt anyone else's feelings. If anyone thinks my comments pertain to them specifically, I apologize to that person in advance. If you object to my comments, private message me so as not to offend sensitive members on this site. Thank you.
