You might be reading this while you sip a cup of coffee or nibble on your favorite snack. You’re probably warm and dry. However, millions of captive birds around the world aren’t so fortunate.

Perhaps this year you could cut down on your coffee or snacks and share some of your generosity with the many parrot rescue organizations who so desperately need help.

Here are a few that I recommend.

Foster Parrots, Ltd. is dedicated to the rescue and protection of unwanted and abused companion parrots and other displaced captive exotic animals. They offer lifelong sanctuary care for unadoptable parrots and other exotics at their permanent care sanctuary facility, and provide adoption services for well-socialized parrots who desire human companionship. Their educational initiatives seek to connect children and adults alike to animal and environmental issues, to nurture empathy, and to inspire a sense of personal responsibility and accountability toward the care of our earth and our animals. Their ultimate message: Parrots are worth more in the trees than in cages; parrots and all wild animals should be free. Rockland, MA, USA

Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary is a volunteer-run, nonprofit society whose purpose is to provide rescue and protection for parrots. Through their adoption program, they strive to place parrots in new loving homes. They provide education and support to parrot guardians and the general public. They oppose the breeding and selling of parrots through pet stores, bird marts, or via the Internet. Surrey, BC, Canada

Parrot Island Sanctuary is a unique sanctuary for abandoned and abused exotic birds. They are located in beautiful Peachland, Canada in the sunny Okanagan Valley. They invite you to visit them to share in their passion for the care and love of these beautiful animals, and appreciate any donations of money or useful items that you may have to offer. They also run a program whereby birds are matched up with individuals in the Okanagan Valley that could benefit from the love and companionship of one of these amazing birds. Both end up benefiting from the mutual love and affection they share. Peachland, BC, Canada

Parrots First exist solely to help unwanted or found parrots, and through educational classes and seminars, they hope to dispel many of the myths and misconceptions that are prevalent today. They are also a parrot “rescue” in that they will do everything legally possible to remove a parrot from a harmful situation. Mostly they are there to help people who can no longer keep their bird for whatever the reason. They provide education about the proper care of parrots and parrot-like birds, and their specific physical and psychological needs. They rescue companion parrots from harmful or unwanted situations and rehabilitate, when necessary, unwanted, found, or injured naturalized (free-flying) parrots; and offer these birds to qualified homes for adoption. Sylmar, CA, USA

Parrots Forever Sanctuary & Rescue Foundation provides support and educational resources for new and existing parrot owners. Their aim is to heighten public awareness of the plight of endangered parrot species in the wild and to illustrate the reality of living with and caring for companion parrots. For people wanting to have a parrot in their life, they offer alternatives to buying from a pet store or breeder. People in their Foster Parent Program have the opportunity to learn about various species of parrots and their care without making a lifelong commitment. Acquiring a parrot through their Stewardship Program offers the opportunity to ensure that a good relationship with the parrot is possible before making a lifetime commitment. Edmonton, AB, Canada

Parrot Resource Center (PRC) is an educational parrot resource for individuals experiencing challenges with their parrot/s, as well as those considering adding a parrot to their life or facing rehoming of their parrot/s. PRC does not support breeding or sale of parrots. They advocate adoption. They access and share resources, including but not limited to: experienced individuals, avian veterinarians, rescue and sanctuary organizations, reference material and groups, and trusted suppliers of safe parrot products.

The Gabriel Foundation is a parrot welfare organization providing for the complete physical, psychological, and environmental well-being of the parrots in their care. Through the education of the public, proper legal documentation, extensive support services, and constant follow-up procedures, they ensure that whether the parrots remain in a sanctuary, in rehabilitation, or are placed into adoptive or foster homes, the parrots are continually nurtured. The Gabriel Foundation also provides for the general welfare of parrots in the community by providing accurate, comprehensive, and reliable educational materials and resources to the public. Denver, CO, USA

The Oasis Sanctuary is a unique avian rescue and life-care facility, dedicated to providing permanent care, shelter, and rehabilitation for companion parrots for which other rehoming options do not exist. Many of the birds in their care have special needs, little or no social skills, or have suffered physical and/or emotional abuse resulting in undesirable psychological behaviors. The Oasis is often all that stands between life and death for these beautiful, sentient, and endangered companion birds. Scottsdale, AZ, USA

Lincolnshire Wildlife Park: With nearly 2000 resident parrots and plenty of room for any parrot that needs a long term home, The Parrot Zoo has become the largest collection of re-homed parrots in the UK. Each enclosure is designed so the birds can choose where they want to be. They have the choice of being out and about feeding and cavorting, or they can sit in their internal quarters and only make an appearance when the zoo is free from humans, and just the security dogs are around. Lincolnshire, UK

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“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” ~ Anatole France

“A man is truly ethical only when he obeys the compulsion to help all life which he is able to assist, and shrinks from injuring anything that lives.” ~ Albert Schweitzer