We regard each bird under our care as an individual - Valuable and worthy of respect and personal consideration.
Safe Haven Parrot Sanctuary, Inc is a no-kill organzation. By policy we authorize euthanasia only
to end the suffering of a terminally ill or injured animal. Even then making that
final determination is emotionally charged and invariably traumatic. However, while
euthanasia of a suffering, dying animal is virtually never called into question,
the euthanasia of healthy, unwanted animals is often a matter of controversy
We have been criticized time and time again for our no-kill ethics. Sickly birds
cost money and drain funds from healthy animals. Unadoptable birds take up precious
space. No-kill standards limit the capacity of foster homes, sanctuaries and shelters to do more
extensive rescue work. All of these criticisms are certainly valid from an objective
point of view. However, objectivity is not what led us to dedicate our lives to
the care of animals. We steadfastly uphold the value of operating from an emotional
standpoint. This is what allows us to feel the animals we care for and to come to
an understanding of each abandoned pet as a sensitive, intelligent creature capable
of feeling fear, confusion, loss and sadness as well as love, comfort, pleasure
and joy. We regard each bird under our care as an individual - valuable and worthy
of respect and personal consideration. In this regard we are incapable of limiting
any one parrot's stay here with a death threat, or bringing a life to a premature
end in order to avoid a bill for medical services. Having an emotional response
to our job is what drives us to do our job. We would suggest that anyone in the
animal welfare or animal health fields who can execute their job without emotion
should possibly consider an alternative occupation that does not involve caring
for lives.
The word "euthanasia" by definition means "good death," killing an individual for
reasons considered merciful. To end the pain of a dying animal is certainly merciful.
That is euthanasia. When we put down a healthy wild animal because it has failed
as a pet, or take the life of a sick animal to avoid medical costs...let's just
call that what it is. That's just killing.