1 person found this review helpful
FLORIDA EXOTIC BIRD SANCTUARY INC
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Featured Review
April 15, 2013
1 person found this review helpful
What an absolute JOY it was to visit the Florida Exotic Bird Sanctuary in January. I learned of this extraordinary sanctuary while doing estate planning for my five companion parrots. The moment I stepped foot on the property, I was struck by the beauty of the sanctuary and the peaceful, welcoming environment created for these Ambassadors of the Parrot Nation. I practice and teach the healing arts, and after touring the sanctuary, Pat Norton allowed me to play Native American healing flute for the birds and to participate in serving a client who was relinquishing their beloved male Indian Ringneck parrot to the sanctuary. I listened to joyful calls from a female Indian RIngneck parrot already living at the sanctuary to this new bird, and watched and played the flute while Pat introduced them. It was an amazing experience, as one bird welcomed the other as if she had been missing him her entire life! I witnessed Pat's incredible, comforting Presence and expertise as she talked to the family and the birds, creating for all of us a serene space of transition for family and parrot to a new life. After the family left, I walked the grounds and visited each flight. Then, Pat helped me through my fear of working with macaws by taking me into the macaw flight, and showing me how to feed them almonds. Once I overcame my fear, one by one, these beautiful macaws would land on my arms and take two almonds from my hand or the bucket I held containing these precious treats! I spent many hours at the sanctuary, witnessing the incredible compassion and love Pat, her family, and the volunteers have for all the birds. I left part of me at the sanctuary, knowing I had found the future home of my parrots and me, as my dream is to transition my birds to the sanctuary and volunteer there for the remainder of my life. I became a member of FEBS, and hope to return there permanently as soon as I can relocate. I am helping the sanctuary now by donations, and am so relieved to know that my family of five have the very best home awaiting them at FEBS. I am ever so grateful to have met Pat, whose loving presence and friendship is also helping me through the trials of being the sole caregiver for a family member with a chronic illness. You see, the love and concern Pat has for the parrots also extends to every living Being whose life she touches. She is a fantastic manager and business person, too, with a vision to expand the sanctuary so that more parrots and families like mine can be served in the future. I also participated in a matching funds program, which doubled the contribution I made to FEBS. I highly recommend FEBS as one of the Great Nonprofits in our country, and am deeply grateful to Pat and her staff for the loving work of their Hearts and Hands for our parrot companions.
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Definitely
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Definitely
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Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
May 9, 2013
It's been less than a year since I took my Sun Conure 'Cheeto' to FEBS. When I made the decision to place her with FEBS I was devastated because I worried she wouldn't be happy--that she would miss me and couldn't possibly live without me. BOY WAS I WRONG! Cheeto is now in a LARGE flight cage with other conures and is doing GREAT! I went to visit her last weekend and she remembered me, gave me kisses, and sat on my shoulder. It was bittersweet but I will never regret placing her at FEBS. Patricia and her staff are truly amazing, they go out of their way to keep you updated on your bird and do everything they can to get other birds sponsored. I'm just happy that Cheeto and all the other lucky birds at FEBS can just be birds.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
November 17, 2012
I placed my Sun Conure, Cheeto, with FEBS just this morning. While I am heartbroken that I will no longer have her in my daily life, I am thrilled to have found such an amazing place for her. I 'owned' Cheeto for nearly 3 years and she was so irrevocably bonded to me that she would have nothing to do with anyone else. If she was not perched on my shoulder at all times she was screaming and calling out for me. Needless to say this caused problems during the work week and I ended up realizing that my keeping her was selfish. She deserves the kind of care and life she will be getting with FEBS--a life I could never have provided for her. Thank GOD for FEBS! I am so happy to have found FEBS and Patricia.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
May 9, 2013
Our Blue and Gold maccaw, Lola, had been spending time outside of her cage most of her life until one day she flew off and we had trouble getting her back. After that, she was inside of her cage and seemed to hate that, and so did we. My heart ached for her and I did some research online and found that Florida Exotic Sanctuary was our best chance of providing her an environment that is the closest she'll ever be to her natural environment; however, the idea of not seeing her everyday was sad for me so we started by leaving her there for a week, and then came to visit her, then two weeks up to four weeks. After the trial period she seemed so happy and relaxed, it would have been a sin to take her out of that environment. Thanks to Patty, her patience with us and her love and understanding of these birds we could come to terms with parting with our bird and understand that she needs more than just human interaction to be happy. She can now fly, she is among others of her kind and she is blossoming like she would have never had she stayed in the environment that we were able to provide. Thanks, FEBS! Thanks, Patty!
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
April 30, 2013
1 person found this review helpful
After 2 years of searching and investigating I found FEBS. Several visits reenforced my hopes for a sanctuary that had large flights, was clean, not overcrowded and fed the birds a great diet. I placed Sugar, Mollucan cockatoo, there to have a happy social life with room to fly and never be sold or bred. During my recent visit I was invited into the cockatoo flight where I was instantly welcomed by friendly birds that wanted to perch on me and be stroked. I know without doubt that I've placed my love of 20 years with the finest sanctuary. Bless Pat norton and her dedicated staff
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Definitely
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Definitely
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Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
November 13, 2012
As age related health issues became an issue as to how well we could provide a quality social life to Sugar (Mollucan cockatoo) we began our 2 year search for a quality home . After checking adaption sites from Florida to Washington state we twice visited FEBS and found it to be a beatifully maintained facility staffed by hard working and very compassionate people under the leadership of Pat Norton. The adapted birds of all species enjoy a life in large flights. Surprisingly in spite of the number of birds, Pat and her staff know each one by name. Sugar was carefully introduced into a large flight with other cockatoos and is now enjoying life as a family member. This was an extremely dificult decision to part with him as we had him from the time he was a 14 gram neonate til now(22 years). It is comforting to know that he will always be fed, cared for and never be sold to anyone as a breeder or pet. Hopefully in the near future FEBS will find a larger property so they can expand their mission.Let us not forget that they need our continued support.
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A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
April 28, 2013
I appreciate all the loving work that goes into caring for these amazing, smart animals. Great job!!!!
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
April 24, 2013
1 person found this review helpful
What a wonderful organization. I had to part with two of my birds and was thrilled to find this sanctuary. I feel good knowing my brid babies are living in a humane and natural bird habituate. The owner is compasionate and dedicated to allowing birds to be birds with cages large enough for them to spread their wings. I personally do not feel it should be legal to breed and keep exotic birds as pets, but for those that are here we should do what we can to create a safe and caring environment.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 8, 2012
This is a wonderful refuge for exotic birds that have lost their homes. The birds intermingle with their own species, are well fed, and have large flight cages that are clean and well maintained. I applaud the good deeds, dedication and hard work necessary to make this operation a success.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
1 person found this review helpful
April 23, 2013
1 person found this review helpful
My Sulphur Cockatoo had no place to go because we moved to a smaller home and it was quite difficult to keep her in our small living room in her large cage. We had fostered her in the hope to find a forever home but were disappointed when we started looking untill we visited FEBS. We were impressed at the concern for the birds by the cartaker and finally we knew we had found our "SNOW" a forever home.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
April 22, 2013
1 person found this review helpful
My Moluccan Cockatoo, Snuggles, lived with me for seven years. I love him dearly. For a cockatoo, Snuggles is the most well behaved I have ever seen., I love him dearly. I truly thought we would be together forever. But then my daughter moved back in unexpectedly, and shortly thereafter my grandson was born. My grandson has several health issues, asthma for one, being allergic to birds another. When his pediatrician diagnosed him, I knew I had to find a place for Snuggles to live out the rest of his life. I would not give him to a stranger and no one I knew and trusted would take him. I had to find a place where I knew he would be safe and happy. It took awhile, but I came across the FEBS website. I knew this was the place for Snuggs. The sanctuary is very far from me, I live in Holly Hill, Florida, and I knew when I placed him I would probably not get to see him very often. Eventually I decided not to be selfish and do what's best for Snuggles. At FEBS, Snuggles is with other Moluccans in a very large, clean outdoor enclosure. He has a girfriend named Cami-Sue. He can scream as loud and as long as he wants to. Basically, he gets to be a bird, not a pet. He's happy and I could not ask for anything more. I have peice of mind and that is priceless.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
1 person found this review helpful
April 22, 2013
1 person found this review helpful
We have an umbrella cockatoo named Aussie. When we first purchased Aussie as a baby, we were naive of the needs of an adult umbrella cockatoo. As Aussie got older, and started exhibiting typical mature big bird behaviors it became apparent that we would be unable to accomodate him in a residential neighborhood. He needed room to just be a bird. We made the difficult decision to start looking for an appropriate home for Aussie. I had read some real horror stories of birds that for whatever reason had to leave their first home and then went the rounds of owner to owner and or pet shop, ofter with terrible results. He deserved more than that. Then I found FEBS on the internet. Within a few days, I talked with Pat and arranged a visit of the facility. My wife and I were immediately struck by the pleasant grounds and facilties. The birds had room to stretch their wings and fly and squawk. The more we talked to Pat and heard and saw her vision for a "forever home" and a true sanctuary for the birds, we knew that we had found a home for Aussie. Aussie has been at FEBS for several months now and whenever I go to visit him, he appears healthy and seems quite happy. I can not say enough good things about FEBS and Pat. I go there as often as I can to volunteer my building skills and will continue to do so because I believe in what FEBS is doing for our feathered friends.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
2 people found this review helpful
April 21, 2013
2 people found this review helpful
I have a very spoiled cockatoo named Miko. My biggest worry in this world is what would happen to her if something happened to me. I thought of giving her to a rescue to find her a home, but I have talked to so many people that have or know someone that has a cockatoo and they just leave them in the cage as a "trophy." Cockatoos are very "needy" and attention seeking birds and if Miko ended up in a home like that, she would die a slow, lonely death. So I started looking at different places. I finally saw FEBS and went and toured the sanctuary. The birds all had plenty of food and water and toys. there were volunteers in one of the aviaries hand feeding fruit to the birds. They looked happy and healthy. Miko came with me and was nervous. She pooped on me which she never does. Very quickly while touring though, she got very comfortable saying "hello" to the birds. I was told they are looking to expand. Until that time, they could use donations or supplies to help build other aviaries so they can take in more birds that can no longer live with their owners. I am offering my time to help the facility. I hope I can give my little girl a lot more years, but if the time came that I couldn't or if I pass on, I now feel comfortable where she can go. If you are reading this, please help this organization and these birds any way you can. thank you for reading this.. God Bless, Linda
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A lot
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
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