Please view the just uploaded video I cut with Sybil Erden talking about The Oasis Exotic Bird Sanctuary. Here she discusses how the sanctuary is only able to take about half the birds that need their services, and the interview is intercut with shots from the Oasis. Unfortunately, after uploading to youtube.com, the quality just sucks. Hopefully, the message still comes across.

Sybil Erden On The Oasis

Such a shame, so many birds out there. I often wonder if good people like us who spend a fortune trying to give our birds a good life actually increase the frenzy of people buying birds that end up in sanctuary. I try to talk people out of buying baby birds all the time. I urge them, if they they really feel they MUST have a bird to go to a sanctuary or shelter first. How do we stop the madness.

Well that's why I didn't get a large parrot; in a nut shell, I'm a baby boomer.
Even though I adore the many birds out there I worried. My family isn't into birds so I would have to find it another home , like the Sennie I will 'trial - own' this spring. Her current owner is in her 70's. Percy is about 15/17 years old so I think things will work out.


I had no idea of the numbers until she said it. It kind of knocked me over.

What happens to the sanctuary when she passes?

What happens to the sanctuary when she passes?

That's a great question, and they do have a board of directors, and Sybil does have things in place for a transition. But let's face it, without her it will face its big test. She is an ardent spokesperson and fund-raiser for the Oasis.

Regarding the numbers, they also 'knocked my socks off'. That's one reason why I wanted to cut this interview together and put it out there. This is something that will reach huge proportions, I am afraid, and where will all these birds go?

I talked to Sybil a few times on the phone a few years ago ... what a wonder person she is. Its heart breaking when you cant do more for the birds... and all animals for that matter. I guess education is the key ... if you can get people to listen.

I understand that the sound is difficult for some people to hear, so I boosted the audio and am trying to upload a new version of it. I am on a learning curve here! Please let me know if you can or cannot hear the audio.

Update: I did boost the audio, and here is the new link: Sybil Erden on the Oasis Sanctuary

Just got an email from a friend who runs a small sanctuary:

Very busy here—constant calls for unwanted birds. People just don’t want them. “We love him, but…..” Their minds are made up—the bird must go. These people have no idea—go where? I keep telling them. People have no idea there are very few quality sanctuaries. People have no idea they have to pay to get a bird into them. People have no idea, there are thousands in front of them in the line. I think of these poor birds, and—I’m sad more than anything else. Just—so sad for them. I wish I had the money, and the setup, to do more.

Because of course, at one point, to run a quality rescue/sanctuary, you have to say 'no'.

The new one you put up is fine on the audio.

I must say, The activist in me comes out when I watch this. The battle cry for the birds needs to be made now. I keep asking this question and like Sybil, I don't see much hope for the MASSES of birds that will have NO place to go in 10 to 15 years! I wish I had the answers, but I don't. I see this train wreck coming and it is steaming ahead going 90 miles an hour until it hits the brick wall. Unfortunately, we are a nation that lets problem get worse and we don't fix things BEFORE there is a problem!

Ok, I will get off my soap box, but this is something that is a weight on my mind.

What will happen to them? I'll tell you what. They will be put down that's what. Same as we do for millions of dogs and cats every year. There just aren't enough homes for all the birds the breeders are producing. And the bird owners that breed their pets for the fun of it don't help either.

One day man decided to bring a wild animal into his/her home and turn the animal into a PET.
On that day animal abuse began.
Scientist and religious sects both agree on one thing, the animals were here first.
In a world of first come first serve then why are animals treated the way they are?
There's a generous amount of birds being trapped in the wild and sold on the black market, but for the most part, this illegal trade has been slowed down a great deal.
Today, we have the breeder, a person that sees the horrors happening but continue to breed, breed breed, all for the mighty dollar bill.
And the Birds, well they continue to pay the ultimate price.
Sadly its a vicious circle that appears to have no end.
Rescue Facilities continue to fill, Sanctuaries continue to take animals in, animal shelters (killing machines) continue to stay up and running 24/7 and the general public continues to contribute there unwanted pet, or worse yet, they simply set the animal free.
Mankind is destined to destroy everything he/she comes in contact with, why? because he/she can!
One will go insane trying to figure it all out.