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Exotic birds rescued from deplorable conditions

Posted on Oct. 28, 2020Oct. 3, 2025

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Multiple large exotic birds who had been living in deplorable conditions in a Des Moines home are now safe at the Animal Rescue League.

When the ARL’s Mobile Response Team and Des Moines Police arrived, they found 11 birds in filthy enclosures with feces coming up over the bottom bars of the cages. Nearly a foot of trash covered the floors of the house, making walking difficult, and rodent droppings were everywhere. When our team got to the room where the majority of the birds were being kept, they had to dig the trash and debris out of the doorway so they could enter. Dust from the birds was also thick throughout the house, making the air quality poor for both the birds and humans. Rescuers were covered in the dust when they exited the home.

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The 11 birds 3 Moluccan cockatoos, 4 Goffin’s cockatoos, 2 Amazon parrots and 2 cockatiels were transported to the ARL, where we had clean enclosures ready and our veterinary team was waiting to evaluate them.

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The birds had obviously been without proper care for a long time. One cockatoo’s beak is so severely overgrown it almost touches her breast, making it impossible for her to eat properly. Another bird’s nails are so long that some have curled into a complete circle, making it difficult to grip. Several birds have areas on their body where they’ve pulled out their feathers, and one has gone even farther and has begun self-mutilating, resulting in a large wound in her chest area.

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These birds did not deserve this. No animal deserves this.

We are committed to doing everything we can to help these birds and give them the lives they’ve always deserved, but we need your help.

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Your donation to the ARL’s Miracle Medical Fund will help provide care for these birds and your monthly gift will help these birds now and other pets like these birds who come to us when the people in their lives have failed them.

In times like these, your gift matters more than ever. Please help … for these birds and for all pets who come to us suffering and in need of a miracle.

P.S., When you donate today to help these birds or enroll in our Loyal Friends Club monthly giving program, you’ll be automatically enrolled to receive exclusive updates on these birds’ progress.

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The Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc. is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

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