Arcadia Bird Sanctury

Recently came across this;

I am a Veterinary Technician specialized in Exotic Animals. Almost nine years ago, I helped to infiltrate a non-profit organization in our area. I did this because of the overwhelming amount of large parrots we received at our hospital from this 'sanctuary' that were torn apart by raccoon. The owner allowed me to volunteer at her 'sanctuary' knowing I had adept knowledge of Avians, though I am not sure that was in her best interest in this case. Upon arriving, I realized that they were kept in terribly maintained trailers--many of which had no heating elements. The first day I was there I was instructed to sweep inches of rodent feces from one of the trailers that were to house the new influx of birds. I had to acquire a mask and gloves from my vehicle and wear them from then on--due to the overwhelming scent of urine and feces and dust in these trailers. Birds have the most sensitive respiratory systems in Nature--and they all had systemic illness related to this toxic air. Many would go into respiratory distress on a regular basis. The birds were fed dog food (too high in protein for birds). Their water bottles were frozen in the winter, to the point where I had to break the ice in order to refill. Many of the smaller birds were kept in cages outside exposed to the elements, even in the Winter. They would huddle together for warmth. Many, many birds died. I collected pictures, video and took audio for about a year. She would only allow me to come once a week, sometimes twice--despite being available for more days. She scheduled us in a way that almost made sure there was no care for at least two-three days before we came in (but I assumed sometimes that no one had been there all week with the amount of filth I was cleaning). So every time I arrived, there would be no food in their bowls (for what seemed like days due to their hunger) and no water in their bottles (or frozen water depending on the season); an empty cage and a new body in the freezer. She would take these birds from people who stupidly purchased them and realized how difficult they are to keep. She would never allow them to come visit or see the facility (a red flag to the intelligent), but most people didn't care. She would never adopt them out. Instead, she would horde them until death. I once had to sneak in in the middle of the night and rescue a bird, bringing it to my hospital, because it was deathly ill and going to die. I had informed her over the course of the week that the patient was becoming critically ill. She told me that wasn't the case. Even though she knew I was trained to understanding illness processes. She told me never to do that again. After everything was said and done, we gave all our evidence to the SPCA in our area. Years later the same Lead Officer who denied these birds service (known to be an epic douchebag who didn't care about the animals) was fired for sexual and racial harassment. Typical. This head officer indicated that as long as they had 'shelter', 'food' and 'water'--nothing could be done. We released the information to PETA and other groups--and they made her life hell for a bit. But, she still goes to schools and locations to 'teach' about birds. She only keeps the birds she brings to locations inside her house, safe and warm and well-fed. The rest suffer and die. This video is filmed by me. Someone added the stereotypical song. Gives you a MINOR understanding of the situation there. It is and was far...far worse. I must have hundreds of pictures of dead birds. My time spent there was one of the worst experiences I've ever had and still haunts me. Moral of the story is that people are stupid, evil and shouldn't have Exotic Animals. And that people who proclaim they are defenders of Animals are often arrogant, foolish and selfish people. Forgive me as I am a bit jaded. People often don't realize they do more harm than good and that bothers me. I can't tell you how many hoarders I've seen proclaim they are doing good, meanwhile taking in disease and putting themselves at risk and aiding in suffering of the animals they state they are saving. We tried our best. This may not be a private shelter...but it's a Non-Profit ORGANIZATION. I just needed to vent on this. To this day I can't get the images out of my head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MS3sCZ4uRU

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Turns out this place is in Freehold, NJ. It's called Acadia Bird Sanctuary and is still in business. This woman is actually going around to schools lecturing on how to care for birds.

CafeArugula said:

Recently came across this;

I am a Veterinary Technician specialized in Exotic Animals. Almost nine years ago, I helped to infiltrate a non-profit organization in our area. I did this because of the overwhelming amount of large parrots we received at our hospital from this 'sanctuary' that were torn apart by raccoon. The owner allowed me to volunteer at her 'sanctuary' knowing I had adept knowledge of Avians, though I am not sure that was in her best interest in this case. Upon arriving, I realized that they were kept in terribly maintained trailers--many of which had no heating elements. The first day I was there I was instructed to sweep inches of rodent feces from one of the trailers that were to house the new influx of birds. I had to acquire a mask and gloves from my vehicle and wear them from then on--due to the overwhelming scent of urine and feces and dust in these trailers. Birds have the most sensitive respiratory systems in Nature--and they all had systemic illness related to this toxic air. Many would go into respiratory distress on a regular basis. The birds were fed dog food (too high in protein for birds). Their water bottles were frozen in the winter, to the point where I had to break the ice in order to refill. Many of the smaller birds were kept in cages outside exposed to the elements, even in the Winter. They would huddle together for warmth. Many, many birds died. I collected pictures, video and took audio for about a year. She would only allow me to come once a week, sometimes twice--despite being available for more days. She scheduled us in a way that almost made sure there was no care for at least two-three days before we came in (but I assumed sometimes that no one had been there all week with the amount of filth I was cleaning). So every time I arrived, there would be no food in their bowls (for what seemed like days due to their hunger) and no water in their bottles (or frozen water depending on the season); an empty cage and a new body in the freezer. She would take these birds from people who stupidly purchased them and realized how difficult they are to keep. She would never allow them to come visit or see the facility (a red flag to the intelligent), but most people didn't care. She would never adopt them out. Instead, she would horde them until death. I once had to sneak in in the middle of the night and rescue a bird, bringing it to my hospital, because it was deathly ill and going to die. I had informed her over the course of the week that the patient was becoming critically ill. She told me that wasn't the case. Even though she knew I was trained to understanding illness processes. She told me never to do that again. After everything was said and done, we gave all our evidence to the SPCA in our area. Years later the same Lead Officer who denied these birds service (known to be an epic douchebag who didn't care about the animals) was fired for sexual and racial harassment. Typical. This head officer indicated that as long as they had 'shelter', 'food' and 'water'--nothing could be done. We released the information to PETA and other groups--and they made her life hell for a bit. But, she still goes to schools and locations to 'teach' about birds. She only keeps the birds she brings to locations inside her house, safe and warm and well-fed. The rest suffer and die. This video is filmed by me. Someone added the stereotypical song. Gives you a MINOR understanding of the situation there. It is and was far...far worse. I must have hundreds of pictures of dead birds. My time spent there was one of the worst experiences I've ever had and still haunts me. Moral of the story is that people are stupid, evil and shouldn't have Exotic Animals. And that people who proclaim they are defenders of Animals are often arrogant, foolish and selfish people. Forgive me as I am a bit jaded. People often don't realize they do more harm than good and that bothers me. I can't tell you how many hoarders I've seen proclaim they are doing good, meanwhile taking in disease and putting themselves at risk and aiding in suffering of the animals they state they are saving. We tried our best. This may not be a private shelter...but it's a Non-Profit ORGANIZATION. I just needed to vent on this. To this day I can't get the images out of my head.





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Turns out this place is in Freehold, NJ. It's called Acadia Bird Sanctuary and is still in business. This woman is actually going around to schools lecturing on how to care for birds.

This saddens me so much.  As the keeper of 15 well fed and cared for.parakeets...........many of them home bred 

I know there is much work to be done to be a good keeper of our feathered friends and should not

be entered upon unless you will be beneficial to them

There are so many tragedies in this world that we can not control.................and there are so many

we ourselves create

Where are the regulatory agencies?   Surely one visit by them would further expose this situation

and hopefully bring it to an end.

Thanks for your submission