Spike's Flying Home Parrot Sanctuary

09/15/2025

The joys of having 2 quakers! Bo just wants some cuddle time, Pluto being jealous and controlling lol

08/08/2025

If you have birds in your home, please read!

The number of pet birds lost outdoors has dramatically increased, so we wanted to put together a blog post to raise awareness and hopefully prevent further losses.

When sharing our homes with pet birds, we must make an honest assessment of our birds' environment. We need to eliminate and reduce risks yet still meet the need for exercise and stimulation without compromising safety, security, and well-being.

This blog will highlight safety measures like barriers, microchips, harnesses, and carriers, the pros and cons of wing-clipping versus flighted birds, and how important it is to supervise your pet bird. We will also share how we help found birds here at the Exotic Bird Hospital and provide resources for additional info should your bird ever get loose outdoors.

https://exoticbirdhospitalblog.wordpress.com/2025/08/05/ways-to-keep-pet-birds-secure-indoors-and-tips-to-prevent-escape-outdoors/

07/22/2025

Hey MFR and Spike's Flying Home Parrot Sanctuary Family & Friends! 🐾

We’re gearing up for next year and need your help to make it amazing!

In the past, our Annual Open House + Garage Sale has been a fun way to support The Flying Home Parrot Sanctuary — but this year, we’re thinking of switching things up a bit.

Here's what we're dreaming up:
💡 TWO separate events, each with its own special vibe:

🏡 Event #1: MFR Open House Weekend
A chill and welcoming time to:
✔️ Tour the space
✔️ Meet our team
✔️ Connect with other pet lovers
✔️ Soak in the MFR experience
Maybe just a few hours on one or two days—casual and low-key.

🎉 Event #2: A NEW Fundraiser for the Sanctuary!
This one’s going to be something special — and we want YOUR input!

We're imagining a relaxed, dog-friendly gathering for MFR clients, friends, and their pups. Think:

🌭 Tasty food
🍹 Delicious drinks
🐶 Dog games & play zones
🎁 Raffles or prizes
🦜 A cause that matters
💬 Socializing with fellow pet lovers

All proceeds go to The Flying Home Parrot Sanctuary, and we want this to become an annual tradition!

💬 Here’s where YOU come in:
We want your thoughts on making this event unforgettable!

Food: Food truck? Caterer? BBQ?

Drinks: Hire a bartender? DIY drink station?

Activities: Raffle prizes? Contests? Dog games?

Timing: Would you prefer a daytime or evening event?

Tickets: What’s a fair price for a ticket that includes food, drinks, and a donation to the Sanctuary?

🎟️ Tickets would be pre-paid and include everything above — and most importantly, support a great cause.

Let us know your thoughts!
What would make this a "must-attend" event for you and your furry friend?

Help us make it unforgettable — and please feel free to share this with friends and family who love animals and good times.

With love & feathers,
🐾 The MFR Team
🦜 Supporting The Flying Home Parrot Sanctuary

Send a message to learn more

07/21/2025

Sad truth! Every species requires alot of work. Before getting a bird, research! Itll save you and the bird alot of heartache, pain, and trouble!

ADOPTION SUCCESS, AND A WORD.

This boy has NO CONCEPT of how lucky he is.
Easily one in a thousand.

His adopter has been licensed to care for for birds like him for 30 years - as long as she's been learning and rehabilitating large parrots.

Unlike the MAJORITY of his captive cousins, this boy's human genuinely understands him AND the forever-work.

No chance of rejection because:

▪︎Human acquired Bird without learning the realities of management.
▪︎He behaves like a normal cockatoo removed from his natural environment.
▪︎Human's life choices just "got in the way" in a few years down the track.

Unlike the MAJORITY, his needs will be properly met.
He can ACTUALLY thrive, instead of just existing.

THE TEAM WAS SO RELIEVED

Y'all don't even understand.

Advertise a black cockatoo?
HOARDS descend from nowhere.
All DESPERATE to own that bird.
Impulsive excitement or ego, we guess?
Must be.
Because, two questions in, it's damn clear that Bird's real-life Best Interests were never on the radar.

CONSIDERING A COCKATOO?
THE BRUTAL TRUTH-BOMB:

Sure, they're impressive.
But so are PLENTY of different animals who require:

▪︎Full-time attention
▪︎Full-time highly-skilled physical and psychological management.
▪︎Zoo-grade care and expense.
▪︎FOR 80 YEARS WITHOUT A BREAK EVER.

just so they don't die young and miserable.

WHY bring one home?
Consider VERY carefully.

PEOPLE WHO CONTACT US ABOUT LARGE PARROTS:

95% of y'all aren't equipped.
Most don't even know what you don't know.
And when offered education?
Mostly "Nah", don't wanna

▪︎Take actual responsibility
▪︎Ease in
▪︎Learn the realities
▪︎Build skills
▪︎DO the work
▪︎Spend the kind of money required to HELP Bird, instead of just containing them in your house for *reasons*.

Tiktok makes parrot care look straightforward!
No investment, work, or skills required!
So we get the misconceptions but...

WHEN WE TELL THE TRUTH?

We, who actually DO the care and rehab?
Get this.

50% of y'all flat-out refuse to believe it.

We're liars, gatekeepers, being deliberately difficult.

**Pffft, as IF we wouldn't JUMP at the chance to rehome a Bird right.
We always have a wait list, and more slip through the cracks every day**

SO COME AT US ALL YA LIKE FOR THIS

It doesn't change the truth.

It doesn't get Birds looked after.

We aren't even rude.

We just don't tell lies so some Human can feel good about trying to acquire an animal they aren't prepared or equipped to care for.

Apparently that's controversial.

But guess who suffers for lies like that?

None of it's ok.

07/16/2025

At our sanctuary, we give small to medium-sized birds a loving, permanent home. These incredible creatures have faced trauma, neglect, and so much more. They deserve safety and compassion for the rest of their lives.

We’re currently struggling with vet bills and need your help to catch up. Every donation, no matter how small, directly supports their medical care, food, and daily needs.

Please like, comment, and share this post to spread the word and help us reach more people who might want to support our cause. Together, we can ensure these beautiful birds live the peaceful lives they truly deserve. Thank you for being a part of this journey!

Help Us Care for Birds in Need At our sanctuary, we provide a lovi… Bobbie Jo Lakso needs your support for Spike's Flying Home Parrot Sanctuary fundraiser

07/15/2025

07/15/2025

Spike’s Flying Home Parrot Sanctuary Needs Your Help! 🦜❤️

We’re reaching out to our wonderful community of supporters with an urgent need.

We just received notice from Roudybush—the trusted company we use for both regular and prescription bird pellets—that their prices are increasing by 10% starting July 14. Thankfully, we placed a large order before the increase went into effect, but future costs will be significantly higher.

In addition, eight of our birds are due for their annual wellness check-ups. These visits include full physical exams and blood work to ensure everything is functioning properly in their little bodies. These exams are essential for early detection of health issues and to give each bird the best possible life.

We’ve attached the Roudybush receipt and the vet invoice for the first four birds to be transparent about our needs.

If you’re able to help, we would be incredibly grateful. Donations can be made in two easy ways:

🟡 GoFundMe:https://gofund.me/037472d7
🟡 Directly to Our Vet: Call Ore Creek Veterinary Clinic 810-632-5033 and ask to place a credit on Bobbie Jo Lakso's bird sanctuary, Spike;s Flying Home Parrot Sanctuary.
Every dollar goes directly to the care, feeding, and medical needs of the birds who call our sanctuary home. Most of them came from traumatic or neglected situations, and they now live knowing love, safety, and peace—thanks to people like you.

From the bottom of our hearts (and feathers), thank you. 💚

07/15/2025

Welcome to Spike's Flying Home Parrot Sanctuary!

Founded in 2018, Spike's Flying Home Parrot Sanctuary is a forever home for small to medium-sized pet birds who are sick, scared, traumatized, elderly, or otherwise in need of a safe, loving environment to live out their lives in peace.

Our sanctuary is named in honor of Spike, a male gray cockatiel who was our very first rescue. When Spike came to us, he was severely underweight and had spent three years locked in a room with no human interaction. He was terrified of people and the world around him. Through patience, gentle care, and respect for his boundaries—never forcing him out of his cage, offering treats, introducing toys, and giving him space—Spike slowly began to trust again. The day he stepped up and accepted head scratches was a turning point. It was his way of telling us: "I feel safe."

Spike lived with us for 15 wonderful years, reaching an estimated age of 19. He taught us so much about trust, healing, and the unique needs of birds who have been through trauma.

Inspired by Spike's journey, we built this sanctuary as a place where no bird is ever forced to move again, rehomed, or left to feel fear. While we initially explored adoption, we quickly realized that many of our rescues—due to illness, age, or emotional trauma—were difficult to place in new homes. So instead, we became their final landing place, committed to giving them the love, space, and respect they deserve.

At Spike’s Flying Home, every bird is allowed to just be a bird—to play, to rest, to receive gentle care and compassion, and to live with dignity for the rest of their lives.

Thank you for getting to know us. 🦜💚

Send a message to learn more