Raven’s Haven, the exotic bird rescue and sanctuary in Vienna
WV, is looking for a few good friends. With 22 birds in residence,
they are filled to capacity. Director Sherry Killem was forced to
turn away four needy birds in one week, because there was no room
at the roost. Sherry says, “The parrots and cockatoos that are
so irresistible in the store can be noisy, messy and time consuming.
Owners lose interest- or have life changes that don’t allow
for the care of a bird.”
Sherry gets calls everyday from people who have found birds, people
reporting a bird that should be rescued and those who can’t
take care of the bird they have. She tries to take them all. Her small
home is filled to capacity, and she’s looking for foster homes
and adoptive homes for some of the birds she has rescued.
Sherry says, “Parrots have the intelligence of a five year
old and the temperament of a two year old. They want and need attention.”
With so many birds depending on her, Sherry only leaves them to take
new birds to the avian veterinarian in Columbus or when she is retrieving
neglected or injured birds. Someone must stay with the others while
she is gone.
Raven’s Haven incorporated last year and became an official
non profit 501( C ) charity in September. She hopes the status will
encourage donations, since she’s been paying virtually all costs
herself. She and her husband, Bruce, spent $3000 in the last six months
arranging for cages, food, and medical care for the rescued birds.
One of her many current guests is a yellow-headed Amazon parrot,
a species on the endangered list. She also has a colorful conure,
a cockatiel, parakeets and lovebirds. There’s a handicapped
Senegal parrot. Sherry feeds them fresh fruits and vegetables every
day and at night, they eat the same things her family eats for dinner.
She considers birdseed just snack food.
In January, Raven’s Haven became one of only five parrot sanctuaries
in the US accredited by The Association of Sanctuaries. “Representatives
from TAOS came from Texas to inspect the sanctuary facility, our practices
and discuss our philosophy. We receive birds from Washington, Maryland,
Virginia, North Carolina, as well as West Virginia and Ohio, because
we’re the only accredited sanctuary in the area.”
Sherry opened the sanctuary and rescue operation three years ago.
She gets discouraged when people show so clearly that they don’t
care what happens to birds. “These are wild animals, not domesticated
ones. They didn’t choose to be turned into house pets, but they
deserve our respect and attention once we have made the decision for
them.” Her biggest challenge is transporting them, during a
rescue or trying to get them to a vet. She drives a 1987 CRX and “I
can’t fit the birds in the back!” She hopes her new non-profit
status will encourage ‘some wonderful person’ to donate
a van or large vehicle that could be outfited properly to transport
the birds.
Potential foster parents or adoptive parents are required to spend
some time volunteering at Ravens Haven. “We want them to know
what they are getting into, get them educated and see how they interact
with the bird. And, we have to make sure the bird likes them!”
For more information, contact Sherry Killem: 304-295-6022, ravenshaven@wirefire.com,
or visit www.ravenshaven.org
