Woman creates program to rescue parrots

By Rob Carroll -Staff Writer
DeKALB - You could call Sandi Madsen a "parrot head," but the moniker would have nothing to do with liking the music of Jimmy Buffett.

Madsen runs Ollie's Parrot's Perch, a boarding house for parrots, and A Place To Call Home, a parrot rescue service. Both are operated out of her rural home.

"Birds take to me, and that's how I got involved," she said.

Madsen's mother had a bird that seemed to dislike everybody in the family except for Sandi. She became intrigued and wanted to find out more about the bird's behavior.

Eventually, Madsen's interest led her to open the boarding service to those who wanted to drop off their birds while they were out of town.

"When I started, I thought there were no parrots out here," she said. "Boy, was I wrong."

While several people used her service, others came asking if Madsen would permanently keep the birds. Some owners grew tired of the parrots, which Madsen described as being like two-year-olds.
Sandi Madsen of DeKalb, holds a small parrot known as a Jenday Conure. The bird, named Maya, had been pulling out its own feathers from stress when Madsen rescued it. Many of the birds Madsen takes in show signs of environmental stress which Madsen patiently works to overcome before finding new owners to adopt the birds. Chronicle photo HOLLY LUNDH


"You need to find the right person for the bird," she said. "It takes patience."

Madsen characterizes the birds as being very needy and requiring a lot of attention.

"People don't realize parrots have attitudes," she said. "They get jealous."

Some parrots have come to A Place To Call Home after being abused or abandoned.

"Unless you understand why they do what they do, it's difficult to have them as a pet," Madsen said.

According to Madsen, some owners don't realize that their parrot must become familiar with them. She said they cannot force the bird to do things.

"When you go to grab them, they have to know you," Madsen said.

Madsen suggests owners read books aloud while sitting next to their birds' cages so that the birds become familiar with their owners' voices.

Madsen currently has about six birds in her house. Some of them were rescued, others are part of the boarding service. Only two of them are hers.

Madsen said she tries not to become too emotionally attached to the birds. She doesn't want to keep them all for herself.

"I love them to death, but if I find the perfect home I know they are better off," Madsen said.

In the past, Madsen has had people give up their parrots after they have become extremely possessive of the birds. She has seen people cry and almost refuse to leave the birds even though they may have scratched or nipped at them.

"For a lot of people, this is like giving up a kid," Madsen said.

Most of the time when people give a bird to Madsen, they also donate the cage and any accessories for the parrot.

Local law enforcement and veterinarians contact Madsen about parrots they find that need homes. She also is contacted by TAILS Humane Society. A representative from the operation was not available for comment.

Madsen thinks she might have to expand her rescue service to a facility outside of her home. She also is in the process of becoming a not-for-profit organization.

"These make great pets if you know what you're doing," Madsen said. "It's not a dog. It's not going to act like a dog."