What are your adoption requirements?

While every situation is unique, general expectations include:

• You must be at least 18 years old

• You should have a stable home environment

• Homeownership is strongly preferred (due to noise and longevity considerations)

• Experience with parrots is required for larger or more complex species

• All household members must be on board with adopting

We are looking for long-term, committed homes - these birds are not short-term pets.

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How long does the process take?

It depends.

Some applications move quickly. Others take time - especially when we’re waiting for the right match.

We do not rush placements. Taking a little longer upfront helps prevent birds from being rehomed again later.

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Do you adopt out of state?

We work within a general radius (typically within driving distance of Pensacola or about 350 miles).

We do not ship birds.
You must be able to travel to meet and bring your bird home.

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What if I’m new to birds?

We believe in education first.

Some smaller species may be appropriate for beginners, but parrots as a whole are not easy pets. They are loud, messy, emotional, and require daily interaction and long-term commitment.

If you’re new, we’ll help guide you - and we’ll be honest about what’s realistic for your lifestyle.

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What happens if a bird isn’t adoptable?

Not every bird is suited for rehoming.

Some birds come to us with medical needs, trauma, or behavioral challenges that make adoption unsafe or unfair to them.

Those birds stay with us in sanctuary - safe, cared for, and loved for the rest of their lives.

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Is there a fee to surrender a bird?

No.

We do not charge a surrender fee because we never want cost to be a barrier to doing the right thing for your bird.

Surrendering is often a difficult decision, and we handle it with respect and without judgment.

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What happens after I surrender my bird?

Every bird goes through:

• Quarantine for health and safety

• Veterinary and wellness evaluation

• Behavioral assessment

From there, we determine the best path forward - adoption or sanctuary.

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Can I get my bird back after surrendering?

No.

Surrender is a permanent decision. Once a bird is placed in our care, ownership is transferred to Totally Flocked Avian Rescue.

We make this clear to protect the stability and future of the bird.

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Do you provide support after adoption?

Yes - and this matters.

We don’t disappear after adoption. We’re here to help guide you through:

• Behavior questions

• Diet transitions

• Adjustment periods

We want you and your bird to succeed.

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What makes Totally Flocked different?

We are not a pet store.
We are not a first-come, first-served adoption center.

We are a rescue built on:

• Education

• Accountability

• Thoughtful placement

• Lifelong responsibility

Every decision we make comes back to one thing:

What is best for the bird.

Always.

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What if I’m not approved?

It’s not personal.

It simply means the situation may not be the right fit at this time. In some cases, we may suggest alternative species, timing, or steps to better prepare.

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How do I get started?

Start by reviewing our adoption requirements and completing the application on our website.

From there, we’ll take the next steps together.

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How do I know a rescue is ethical or legitimate?

This is a great question - and one more people should be asking.

A responsible rescue should be transparent, consistent, and focused on the animals - not just moving birds quickly.

Here are a few things to look for:

• A clear application and screening process (not first-come, first-served)

• Willingness to say no if a home isn’t the right fit

• Clean, safe, and structured environments for the birds

• Knowledge of proper diet, enrichment, and species-specific care

• A visible presence (website, reviews, social media, community involvement)

• Policies that prioritize long-term placement - not quick turnover

• Licensed with their state and inspected by USDA.

If a rescue is willing to hand over a parrot with little to no process, that’s not a good sign.

At Totally Flocked, every decision we make is centered around one thing:
What is best for the bird - long term.

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What happens to birds that are not adoptable?

They stay with us.

Not every bird that comes through our doors is meant to be rehomed - and that’s okay.

Some birds have medical needs, past trauma, or behavioral challenges that make placement unsafe or unfair to them. Those birds become part of our sanctuary flock, where they receive lifelong care, enrichment, and stability.

They are not overlooked.
They are not “less than.”
They are exactly where they’re meant to be.

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Why are some birds not adoptable?

Every bird has a story - and sometimes that story impacts their ability to transition into a new home.

A bird may not be adoptable due to:

• Severe behavioral issues (chronic aggression, extreme fear, self-harm)

• Medical conditions that require specialized or ongoing care

• A history of repeated rehoming and inability to settle

• Strong bonding issues that make safe placement difficult

• Safety concerns for the bird or potential adopters

Our responsibility is to be honest about what each bird needs - not to force a placement that won’t last.

In some cases, the kindest and most responsible decision is to provide permanent sanctuary, where that bird can live safely, comfortably, and without the stress of being moved again.

These additions do a few really important things for you:

• Quietly call out sketchy rescues without naming them

• Reinforce your standards (you’re not a “hand over a bird” place)

• Build trust with serious adopters

• Set expectations around sanctuary birds

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