Hoarding/zoo mentality- not a true sanctuary.
Thank you for providing us with a tour of Parrots in Paradise on 11/7/25. We sincerely acknowledge the effort put forth to keep the birds safe and the facility visually appealing for visitors. Unfortunately, that's clearly what this was set up to be, appealing for tourists and not at all for the birds themselves.
As the founder of MGO, representing nearly 3 decades of professional experience in avian rescue, rehabilitation, and ethical placement, our sole purpose for making the 7.5-hour round trip was to establish a partnership and potentially provide a permanent, qualified home for one or more parrots with 24/7 one on one care. The visit was precursored by extensive communication about the adoption over voice call and text with Dorothy, the owner.
Disparity in Mission and Practice
We must point out the critical misalignment between the facility's representation as an "adoption center" and the reality of its operation. As established avian professionals, we invested a full day, substantial resources, and paid the $100 viewing fee, only to find virtually no accessible, clear pathways for adoption. This demonstrates that prioritizing adoption is not the function of this facility.
Immediate Welfare Concerns and Industry Standards
From a professional welfare standpoint, we observed that many enclosures lacked appropriate environmental enrichment, specifically essential items like chewing wood and robust, non-toxic toys. In the avian rescue community, providing this type of enrichment is not optional; it is a fundamental standard of care necessary to prevent severe behavioral and psychological distress in parrots. Over half of the enclosures were not fully roofed at all, and were not at all predator-proof. The owner specifically said they had many Mongoose, yet wouldn't spend the money to make Mongoose proof cages. Unfortunately, Mongoose kill these birds very easily. When there are full rains, without full roofing and sheets in the center of the cages, the birds have nowhere to get out of the harsh weather. All enclosure should roofed enough to protect from rain during tropical rains, as this is Hawaii.
Operational Ethics: Rescue vs. Collection
While commendable that these birds are safe, the operational model appears to prioritize collection and exhibition over ethical re-homing. In the professional rescue community, there is a clear distinction between a genuine sanctuary dedicated to rehabilitation and adoption and a facility that borders on hoarding or a zoo mentality. The true measure of a rescue organization is its commitment to finding the best homes for the birds, not simply accumulating a large number for public viewing.
The Ethical and Societal Cost of Misrepresentation
The core ethical issue lies in the public misrepresentation. When highly qualified, dedicated adopters like ourselves are actively solicited, encouraged to travel long distances, and pay significant fees under the pretense of "adoption," the following negative outcome occurs:
Resources are Wasted: Time and financial resources that could be spent on birds already in care are needlessly diverted.
Unethical Sources are Supported: Frustrated adopters are forced to seek birds from unscrupulous backyard breeders or low-welfare sellers.
This ultimately means the facility’s current setup inadvertently damages the wider avian rescue community by funneling good homes toward bad sellers, rewarding the cycle of unethical breeding and neglect.
A Call for Transparency
To align with genuine ethical standards and serve the public responsibly, we strongly recommend immediate and unambiguous transparency:
The facility must be honestly re-labeled as a "Private Avian Viewing Sanctuary" or "Exhibit." The word "adoption" must be removed from all primary signage and promotional materials until a genuine, transparent, and accessible adoption protocol is made the clear priority.
We urge you to consider this feedback in the spirit of elevating standards for avian care and ethical...
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