05/12/2026
Running a rescue — whether it’s a large public facility, a small private home rescue, or anything in between — is still running a legitimate organization with real financial responsibilities behind it.
Every rescue operates a little differently. Some are privately funded. Some rely completely on donations. Some depend heavily on adoption fees. Others do fundraisers constantly just to stay afloat. But at the end of the day, the goal is the same: caring for the birds and making sure the next one in need has somewhere safe to land.
For those following along, yes… there absolutely are fake “rescues” out there pretending to do the right thing. That’s not what this post is about. I’m talking about the rescues that are legitimate organizations — the ones properly registered, properly operating, filing taxes, doing paperwork, carrying overhead, and doing the work day in and day out. The ones you can look up on the IRS website and verify.
Birds are not free.
Nothing about their care is free.
Food isn’t free.
Toys and enrichment aren’t free.
Rust-free cages aren’t free.
Disease testing isn’t free.
Vet exams aren’t free.
Perches aren’t free.
Cleaning supplies aren’t free.
Emergency medical care definitely isn’t free.
And the hard reality is that rescue work can become financially overwhelming very quickly because there is always another bird that needs help.
Many rescues — myself included at different points over the years — have experienced moments of wondering how everything was going to get paid. How to afford the next vet bill. How to keep up with food costs. How to continue saying yes when another bird needed saved.
Thankfully, over time, I’ve learned my limits better and what I can realistically sustain responsibly. But it’s still hard. Rescue is emotionally exhausting and financially exhausting all at once.
When you pay an adoption fee, you are not “buying” a bird.
You are helping feed the flock already in care.
You are helping provide enrichment and safe housing.
You are helping cover medical costs.
You are helping the next neglected, abused, abandoned, or unwanted bird that hasn’t even arrived yet.
You are also helping support the sanctuary birds — the ones who may never leave rescue because they simply do not thrive in private homes. The overlooked birds. The ex-breeders. The traumatized birds. The birds nobody fully understood before they landed safely in rescue care.
This is why adoption fees matter.
And this is why rescues deserve the same respect as any other legitimate business or organization.
For many years I tried to work with people by allowing payment arrangements and delayed balances because I understood life happens. Unfortunately, over time, too many people abused the kindness of rescues, so last year I made the decision to change that policy. Everything is now paid upfront at the time of adoption, no exceptions.
Not because I’m mean.
Not because I don’t care.
But because the birds depend on stability.
Please don’t put rescues on the back burner financially. We deserve the same respect people give their car payments, utility bills, or other financial obligations — because real lives are depending on us to keep those doors open.
And trust me… every rescue owner I know would much rather spend their time loving birds than worrying about bills.
