”The
Importance of our Existence Is Paramount to the Parrot's Lives and Well
Being.”
Exotic Birds
"About Us"
Our
Exotic Bird Refuge had its beginnings when Paula Ashfield started
helping care
for a number of exotic birds their owners were unwilling or unable to
keep. The
birds’ histories varied – ranging from those who were abused, sick, or
intolerable to those whose owners had died. Without other local
facilities
available in the area, the number of birds grew steadily, and the
Ashfield’s
relocated to a larger home that would accommodate the needy
birds.
The
Ashfield’s home officially became the first Exotic Bird Sanctuary in
Sussex
County, New Jersey. Incorporated as a nonprofit organization by the
State of
New Jersey and also registered under IRS 501 C 3, the sanctuary was
legally
named "Under My Wing Avian Refuge" in November 2007.
Over
the last few years the Ashfield's have established trustworthy
relations
and were entrusted with caring for many birds that were previously kept
in dark
garages, closets and basements due to their intolerable
behaviors of loud
screaming or biting and other reasons. Because many of the birds are
physically or behaviorally challanged, have issues that necessitate
carefull lifetime care, the Ashfield's cohabitating with them is
essential to ensure their close monotoring.
Today,
Under My Wing Avian Refuge is a permanent home to more than 130 exotic
birds,
from Parakeets to Macaws.
What is
most important is that each and every bird that enters our premises is
or will
be checked by our Veterinary and is immediately tested for avian
diseases in
order to protect its health and the health of each bird in our
sanctuary; they
are also quarantined for 45 days.
We are
not an agency that collects fees on birds when they are placed nor act
as an
intermediate place for birds and to be re-homed using volunteers who
foster. We
believe the last thing a bird needs is to experience
this additional
stressful event where a bird is temporarily moved only to be moved
again and
possibly again.
The
majority of relinquished birds come to Under My Wing Avian Refuge to
live on
premises permanently, much like a retirement home if you will.. Many
are physically or behaviorally challenged,
others
have an issue that necessitates careful lifetime
care. Here, all the
birds have comfortable housing, appropriate diets, and a safe
environment.
They receive endless attention and affection to fulfill their
unique
physical, emotional, and behavioral needs.
From
time to time we receive birds and only with their owner's
request
do we then seek
to adopt and find only the best for the adoptable
birds and
their future. Since these few adoptable birds have
been entrusted in our
care it is our
responsibility to making proper decisions when it comes time
for the placement of
these birds.
Thus, a new home is a careful, well monitored and time
consuming step
which will surely benefit their life and future.
Additionally,
Under My Wing’s founder, Paula N Ashfield, offers leducational programs
(lectures, training and school programs, educating the public thru bird
clubs, bird owners, prospective and various communities) in order to
teach about the commitment and responsabilities as well as the
pleasures associated with caring for exotic birds.