Scales & Feathers

PLEASE DON’T OFFER THEM “FREE TO A GOOD HOME” — CHOOSE RESPONSIBLE REHOMING

When circumstances change and you can no longer care for your bird or reptile, making the decision to surrender them can be incredibly difficult.

But where they go next matters.

A post saying “free to a good home” may seem like the quickest way to find someone willing to take them. Unfortunately, willingness to take an animal does not necessarily mean someone has the knowledge, facilities, resources or long-term commitment needed to provide appropriate care.

This is particularly important with parrots and reptiles, whose needs can be complex, species-specific and easily underestimated.

East Coast Exotic Haven is experienced and licensed to accept surrendered, neglected and abandoned captive-bred birds and reptiles.

Our role isn't simply to find an animal another address.

It is to assess the individual animal, understand its history and needs, address health and husbandry concerns, and work towards an appropriate and responsible placement.

🦜 PARROTS ARE MORE THAN A CAGE, SEED AND WATER

Parrots are intelligent, social and behaviourally complex animals.

When a parrot comes into our care, we need to consider much more than whether it is physically healthy.

We look at its emotional, behavioural, social, nutritional and environmental needs.

A surrendered parrot may have spent years or even decades with the same person or family. It may have formed strong attachments, established routines and learned very specific ways of communicating with the people around it.

Suddenly losing that familiar person, home and routine can be an enormous change.

Some birds may arrive frightened or withdrawn. Others may scream, bite, become defensive, refuse interaction or struggle with changes in routine. Some may display feather-damaging behaviours or other repetitive behaviours. These behaviours shouldn't automatically be dismissed as a bird being “naughty” or “aggressive”.

We need to ask why the behaviour is occurring.

Is the bird frightened?

Is it overwhelmed?

Has it had appropriate socialisation?

Is it accustomed to other birds?

Has it become excessively dependent on one person?

Does it know how to forage and play independently?

Is it receiving enough sleep?

Does it have appropriate opportunities to chew, climb, explore, bathe, forage and exercise?

Has it been living without adequate enrichment?

A parrot's psychological welfare matters just as much as food, water and shelter.

Parrots naturally spend significant amounts of time foraging, socialising, grooming and resting. Appropriate enrichment and opportunities to perform natural behaviours are therefore an important part of captive bird welfare.

🥕 DIET MATTERS TOO

One of the first things that needs to be understood is what that individual bird has actually been eating.

Parrot nutrition isn't one-size-fits-all.

Species, age, health, previous diet and individual circumstances all need to be considered. A bird that has spent years eating an inappropriate or restricted diet should not simply have everything familiar removed overnight.

Dietary changes need to be considered carefully, with veterinary involvement where necessary.

We also need to know whether the bird recognises different foods as food, whether it actually consumes what is offered rather than simply picking through it, and whether there are underlying health issues affecting appetite, weight or nutritional requirements.

🦎 REPTILES HAVE SPECIALISED NEEDS TOO

Reptiles are sometimes mistakenly viewed as comparatively simple pets.

They aren't.

Depending on the species, appropriate care may involve very specific requirements for temperature gradients, heating, UVB exposure, humidity, substrate, enclosure dimensions, hides, environmental enrichment, feeding, supplementation and safe handling.

Incorrect husbandry can result in significant welfare and health problems that aren't necessarily obvious to an inexperienced person.

There are also important legal considerations surrounding the keeping and transfer of native reptiles and some native birds in Queensland. A new home needs to be both suitable and lawful.

❤️ WHY EXPERIENCED REHOMING MATTERS

Responsible rehoming is not about handing an animal to the first person who says, “I'll take it.”

It is about finding the right home for that individual animal.

That means considering experience, licensing where required, housing, existing animals, family circumstances, species knowledge and whether the person can realistically meet the animal's needs for the remainder of its life.

It also means being prepared to say no when a proposed home isn't suitable.

East Coast Exotic Haven provides a pathway for people who can no longer care for their captive bird or reptile without having to resort to advertising them as “free to a good home”.

We understand that surrender does not automatically mean someone doesn't care about their animal.

People's circumstances change. Housing changes. Relationships change. Financial circumstances change. Owners become unwell, move into care or pass away. Sometimes an animal's needs simply become greater than an owner can reasonably provide.

Asking for help can be part of responsible ownership.

Our priority is not judgement.

Our priority is the animal.

Where possible, providing us with information about their history, diet, routine, veterinary history, behaviour, likes and dislikes, previous socialisation and even favourite toys can help us understand the animal and make the transition easier.

For animals that have already experienced neglect, abandonment or repeated homes, careful assessment and placement becomes even more important.

A home is not automatically a good home simply because someone is willing to take an animal for free.

Please utilise experienced, recognised and appropriately licensed rehoming services.

Responsible surrender gives us the opportunity to make the next home not simply another stop in that animal's life — but a carefully considered placement designed around its welfare and long-term needs.

Captive-bred bird & reptile surrender, rehabilitation and responsible rehoming.

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Because responsible rehoming should always put the animal first. ❤️🦜🦎