Exotic birds seized in Damascus ready for adoption

Published 12:00 am Monday, December 19, 2016

Hundreds of tenants at the are about to take wing.

More than 240 exotic bird seized in July from a barn in Damascus will start to be adopted out Tuesday, Dec. 20, at the humane society, 1067 N.E. Columbia Blvd. The birds were part of one of the largest animal rescues in Oregon history. The owner has surrendered ownership of the animals to the humane society, paving the way for adoptions to proceed.

Adoptions begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday. No appointments are necessary to see or adopt the birds. Since the by-appointment adoptions began, the society has found homes for about 140 of the 245 rescued birds.

“OHS staff and volunteers have provided top-notch care for these birds over the last six months, and I am thrilled to see that the birds will now get a chance to find forever homes with families who appreciate these unique creatures,” said Executive Director Sharon Harmon.

The birds and a kinkajou (a small mammal) were seized July 6 during an investigation from a metal pole barn on Southeast Bel Air Drive. Humane society officials said many of the birds were in overcrowded cages filled with feces and waste that was sometimes several inches deep. Cages were stacked three or four high, with feces and food waste overflowing from the top cages to the cages below.

Many of the birds suffered from severe feather plucking and overgrown nails and beaks, while others appeared to be suffering from chronic stress.

A citizen complaint sent state and local law enforcement to the barn. The owner, who was not identified, was a long-time breeder who planned to sell some of the birds. The species seized include African gray parrots, macaws, cockatoos, conures, ring neck doves, pigeons, Amazon parrots, finches and parakeets.