PHOTOS: British trainer helps teach horses in Gettysburg "They're the perfect bird owners," he said. There is an inexpensive adoption fee that is waived for veterans, Stern said. Ruffled Feathers rarely adopts out and has a very stringent adoption policy. Specifically, communities such as veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and people with social phobias can benefit from a beaked buddy. With the rise in popularity of emotional support animals, Stern believes birds can serve people in need going forward. But until then, he is looking for community-based solutions. Stern eventually wants to expand to create a national center based in Florida. Ruffled Feathers put together a wish list for the public, and it includes items that range from fresh fruits and vegetables to cleaning supplies. OF INTEREST: Photos: Volunteers help socialize cats with CatKnits group "You know, they're at the hotel watching TV." "Everything over there is a ghost tour and this and Civil War, and some people aren't interested," he said. A Gettysburg bed and breakfast has sent visitors to Ruffled Feathers. Stern noted that Hanover is very animal friendly and has close proximity to the tourism in Gettysburg. "The only way people know about us is word of mouth and just coming to the mall," Stern said. And this is all without advertising or promotions. People have come from as far as Richmond and Pittsburgh for the sanctuary. Ruffled Feathers mainly services Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, with Stern estimating that 95 percent of birds are turned over from those states. "We now have all the pieces, and our belief - there's a need for a national organization to rescue and provide sanctuary to birds." Building toward a utopia "We needed to understand the problem, and we needed to understand the solution to the problem," Stern said. Many of them are on the endangered species list, Stern said. The birds at Ruffled Feathers include a hyacinth macaw, a blue-throated macaw and a hawk-headed parrot. Many were smuggled into the country illegally and were not meant to be domesticated animals. The trouble with exotic birds as pets is that they are not indigenous to the U.S. Many of the birds at Ruffled Feathers, like Rosie, are turned over after a sudden change in behavior, like plucking themselves. "They're very emotional creatures," Stern said. Many older bird owners fail to plan ahead for their pets, which has resulted in several birds now in Ruffled Feathers' care.īirds also have sensitive emotional needs, Stern said. WATCH: Dogs get big air in DockDogs events "When you get a bird, it's got a real high shot of outliving you," Stern said. Part of the problem birds face as pets in the U.S. "I mean, Pennsylvania's tough for regulations for dogs, but birds? Nothing." "There's tons of regulations for dogs," Stern said. – behind dogs and cats – birds lack the resources given to those pets. 'A godsend for these beautiful birds'ĭespite being a common pet in the U.S. But the team behind Ruffled Feathers is grappling with the underlying issues that leave so many birds under their care. Getting the birds in is easy, Stern said. Since it opened, about 350 people have signed up. People can also sign a release to volunteer at the sanctuary. Shoppers at the mall can donate a suggested $10 to get a photo holding the colorful birds, which are carefully placed on them. READ: New ownership to take reins at Land of Little Horses The space in the mall houses a few hundred birds, including more than 80 large birds, Stern said. Ruffled Feathers aims to offer safety and refuge for at-risk parrots and exotic birds and rehabilitate them. Stern started the nonprofit with Yvonne England, the sanctuary's president and rehabilitation specialist, about three years ago. The sanctuary, which opened in November, is just beginning to take flight, according to co-founder and director Gil Stern.
The birds at Ruffled Feathers, a nonprofit exotic bird sanctuary and rescue, apparently can hold their own against jolly Ol' Saint Nick. While waiting in line to meet Santa Claus at the North Hanover Mall this past holiday season, kids were asking their parents to get pictures with another attraction.