About Us

The Bailey Foundation was established in 2004 when we became aware of the large number of parrots that were in need of help and was incorporated in the state of Pennsylvania as a non-profit education, rescue, rehabilitation and adoption service organization, specifically for companion birds, in July of 2004. We received our 501c3 classification on July 14th 2004.

Birds are now one of the most popular pets in the United States. Along with that popularity comes the many problems that are normally encountered with more traditional domesticated species such as dogs and cats. The major difference, we believe, is that most of the parrots now kept as pets are not domesticated through years of selective breeding but instead, are only one or two generations removed from their wild ancestors. In fact many were caught in the wild and imported to the U.S. during the 1960’s up until the early 1990’s when this type of activity became illegal. Many of these “wild caught” birds retain their wild traits and have been sold and resold to a number of guardians. Herein lay the problems which make our organization and others like it, needed. These parrots, which many times are bought on impulse and without knowledge of the bird’s needs will, in many cases, react to the lack of attention by their guardians in an unfavorable manner. As many are semi-tame and have not known a stable and consistent home, these birds can have behavioral problems and can be dangerous as pets. These birds are doomed to being passed from one guardian to another or back to the pet shop as each new guardian realizes that their new pet will never be the “Story Book” bird they had hoped for. Many will bite, scream or even resort to self mutilation in an effort to get attention from an uncaring guardian. Thus starts a cycle which can be repeated many times during the bird’s long life. Unlike a dog or cat, whose life is relatively short in comparison, a parrot could live from 20 to 100 years depending on the species. This of course assumes that the bird has survived the nutritional neglect offered by many casual or uneducated bird guardians. In the effort to stop this endless cycle we formed The Bailey Foundation, Inc. to offer an alternative to people who needed to find a caring “Forever Home” for their bird. We are currently receiving birds at an alarming rate.

Our goals include finding good, caring homes for the birds that have been given up by their guardians due to unforeseen difficulties. We have encountered many cases where birds have been given up for adoption when their guardians have become ill or divorced. These people needed to place their birds quickly and felt uncomfortable with the options of reselling their bird back to a pet shop, in the want ads or giving the bird to friends or family where questionable care might be offered. We have also received birds that have been given up because of unacceptable vocalization or dangerous behavior. We hope to offer people the security of knowing that their bird will be cared for and that time will be taken when finding a new home with a sincere, dedicated and appropriate person. We do not purchase birds. We also offer telephone help for new caretakers with questions.

• We do not breed or place companion birds with people who breed.
• We do not sell, trade, or use birds in our care for commerce or profit.
• We promote responsible guardianship of all captive birds.
• We promote education on all issues of avian welfare.
• We oppose the sale of un-weaned baby birds to the general public.
• We support and encourage responsible legislation protecting the rights, health, and safety of birds living in captivity.
• We strongly oppose legal/illegal exportation/importation and encourage all countries to adopt legislation, enforcement, and conservation policies to prevent wild birds from entering captivity.

Since July of 2004, we have taken in dozens of birds, from finches to macaws. Many of these birds will probably require extensive rehabilitation due to medical or behavioral problems. Many others have been placed in homes that we continue to monitor. The remaining birds are awaiting for a “Forever Home”, a process that involves an application, working with the bird, and the signing of a contract of care by the adopting party.

We anticipate with the effect of the internet, there will be more adoptions as well as more desperate people wanting to give up their birds to our care. Many of these birds will need care for up to 80 years or more, our task is formidable. Space is running out for the care of large birds like macaws and cockatoos. We will need to expand our available space soon. Our long-term goals are to purchase land on which large aviaries can be built to house the various species of birds as well as serve as an educational center. In our current location this is not possible. We do invite people to contact us. We are very happy to share whatever knowledge we have gained with any prospective or current parrot parents.

It is our goal to always have a place for one more bird in need.

For Adoption