Under My Wing Avian Refuge

LIFETIME CARE FACILITY FOR EXOTIC BIRDS AND EDUCATION CENTER

Caring for the most vulnerable birds in the world!

Why A Parrot Sanctuary is so Important

The primary purpose of a parrot sanctuary must always be to provide a safe haven to parrots who often

require special attention, depend on a permanent place they can live with a flock, and without the stress

of being moved every few years.

Birds are often rehomed several times as many people, though they may have the best of

intentions, are simply not equipped to care for these intelligent birds with myriad needs.

Our Parrot Sanctuary is not a temporary place for birds. It is a permanent solution

to the problem of rehoming; providing a safe haven with no adoptions or foster care system.

We are Different

Our parrot sanctuary operates on behalf of the parrot’s lifetime care focusing on the best interest of the birds and provides a permanent residence ensuring they are never subjected to harm or exploitation.

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Our Sanctuary

Our focus is on the present and future needs of the birds.

Our experience brings us to a vision of preparedness and financial stability, with a well-equipped facility capable of handling the never-ending needs of the birds. We focus on those who have lost their human “family,” have been abandoned, abused, and elderly or disabled.

Preparedness is crucial not only for the immediate future but also for 10, 30, 50 years from now.

Given the present over-breeding, over sales of parrots and repeated bird adoption – which they can live 60 to 80 years and frequently outlive their original owners.

Our model is inherited from the American Sanctuary Association‘s policies and procedures. Through our demonstrated excellence of care we play a leadership role in our community and State in promoting the socially, morally, and ethically responsible treatment of exotic birds.

Our professional services

exceeding expectations

BOARDING

It’s Your Bird’s Vacation!

Our boarding offers a pleasant vacation and peace of mind while you are away. Your bird’s comfort and your peace of mind are equally important to us when you need to be separated temporarily. Unlike other boarding places that close shop to go home at night we never leave your pet to tend to itself because birds in our care are just like children; never left unattended and un-cared for.

GROOMING

For All Birds!

An important procedure to the bird’s health and safety is grooming. It is less stressful on a bird to be groomed in a friendly atmosphere with one groomer and not stressed. We provide in house bird grooming (parrots and backyard birds) as well as a consultation and grooming in the comfort of your home. (Provided that you are within our service area of North New Jersey).

DISEASE TESING

For All Birds!

Early detection and quarantine of infectious diseases helps prevent the devastating effects that a bacterial, fungal, parasitic or viral outbreak can cause. We offer sexing and disease testing at a minimal cost to all bird owners within our driving distance. We also try to accommodate bird owners by visiting the bird in their home for testing when combined with grooming services.

EDUCATION

Courses and Workshops

On line courses are great! However there is nothing like learning hands on and we offer classes to small groups, individual classes and enrichment workshops. If your passion is parrots, you own a parrot, or are an individual whos interest is in the veteriany field, or just for fun, then this is for you!

We offer individual classes, courses and enrichment workshops.

SHOP – BIRD PRODUCT

To February 2022

Our bird products shop will open soon and we want you to be prepared to visit and support our mission thru shoppping. We will not sell every product as most online shops just essentials your bird needs such as pellets, treats, whole shelled nuts, toys and toy parts. Our shop will carry individual items or bulk purchases at a lower cost without the expenditure of overhead cost and all proceedings shall only support our mission.

Paula N Ashfield,Founder and Executive Director
Our Parrot Sanctuary is not a temporary place for birds but a permanent solution with no adoption or foster care system.
Paula N Ashfield,Founder and Executive Director
Paula N Ashfield,Founder and Executive Director
On the right side of the screen you will find short stories of how we have aquired some of the birds over the years.
Paula N Ashfield,Founder and Executive Director

29 BIRDS NJSPCA HOARDING CASE

Under My Wing Avian Refuge was called to help these birds who lived in a private home in Wantage, NJ. Once the situation was assessed the NJSPCA was notified reporting the 29 birds found along with several dogs and cats, a pig, several chickens and a donkey found in deplorable conditions. Most animals were living in a small room off the kitchen. NJSPCA responded immediately. The birds were relinquished to the refuge and the owner seemed relieved to receive help and cooperated with NJSPCA for future care of the other animals.

200 BIRDS RESCUED FROM PASSAIC BICYCLE REPAIR SHOP

What started with just a few pet birds spiraled out of control withing five years, culminating in an emergency rescue operation on Jan. 16, 2016 where volunteers removed nearly 200 birds, many of them exotic breeds, from deplorable conditions.

More than 100 cockatiels, about 40 mourning doves, and dozens of other birds — including a cockatoo, four Amazon parrots and eight sun conure parakeets — were discovered in the back room of the business after a series of city inspections last week, authorities said.

The rescuers found mice scurrying about, cockroach-infested nesting boxes and birds living in cramped, less-than-ideal living quarters of the shop’s back room. Cockatiels were stuffed 16 to a cage made for two, while two Amazon yellow-naped parrots were living in a small crate. Some 30 wire cages were stacked one atop the other, some reaching the ceiling of the back kitchen.

Ashfield wore rubber gloves and plastic covers on her boots while she removed the birds, and left the room grimacing.

“We got roaches flying off the walls, into breeding cages, everywhere,” she said. After the birds are tested for diseases, most will go up for adoption by various groups, Ashfield said.

Under My Wing called in three rescue groups to assist. No birds were found dead, but some newborns that were removed last week did not survive, said Ashfield, founder of Under My Wing Avian Refuge in Wantage. She spent hours scrubbing the back room on Thursday and took with her some finches and canaries.

“Most of the other birds were distributed among different rescue groups and sanctuaries on Monday – two in New Jersey, one in New York and one in Maryland.

NJSCPA TO GIVE BIRDS TO SANCTUARY

Paula N Ashfield received a call to aid in the rescue of a bird hoarding case. Lisa D. of NJSPCA informed Paula that the birds were left in the home alone since the owner died over a year ago.

“Daughter attended to them sporadically, with minimal care since the owner died, but did not live in the home.”

Upon their inspection they found both property and front door buried with overgrown bushes. The birds lived in an unhealthy environment, with poor husbandry, dirty water and minimal food. NJSPCA ordered the deceased owner’s daughter to relinquish the birds to the sanctuary or face charges.

The five birds were brought to Under My Wing Avian Refuge for proper Veterinary care, and husbandry on Aug. 15, 2016.

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Our Commitment to Our Donors

We will not sell, share or trade our donors’ names or personal information with any other entity, nor send mailings on behalf of other organizations.

This policy applies to all information received by Under My Wing Avian Refuge, both online and offline, on any Platform (“Platform”, includes the Under My Wing Avian Refuge website and mobile applications), as well as any electronic, written, or oral communications.

To the extent any donations are processed through a third-party service provider, our donors’ information will only be used for purposes necessary to process the donation.