Relocation Project
Albatross Aviary Faces Urgent Relocation Crisis: Over 75 Birds at Risk Without Immediate Community Support
Grand Rapids, MI — A quiet but powerful force in avian rescue and education is now in danger of losing everything.
Albatross Aviary, a one-of-a-kind nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and advocating for companion birds displaced by the pet trade, is facing the devastating loss of its facility. The building that has served as both a sanctuary and an educational hub for more than 75 rescued birds is no longer a viable home. Now, with the threat of eviction and no immediate space to relocate, the lives of these birds—and the future of the organization—hang in the balance.
A Safe Haven in Jeopardy
Founded on the belief that parrots are not pets but wild, sentient beings who suffer deeply in captivity, Albatross Aviary has offered a radically compassionate approach to avian care. The aviary has never focused on simply adopting birds out to the public. Instead, it has built a model of lifelong sanctuary, intensive rehabilitation, and public education to combat the root causes of the companion bird crisis.
Now, without intervention, the over 75 birds currently in their care—many with trauma, medical needs, or behavioral challenges—face an uncertain and dangerous future.
“These birds are not commodities. They are survivors of systemic harm. If we lose this facility, they don't just lose a home—they risk being pushed back into the same exploitative system we’ve been fighting to save them from,” said Gairen Tembreull, Director of Albatross Aviary.
More Than a Shelter: A Movement
Albatross Aviary has become a growing voice in the national conversation about the ethics of aviculture, the dangers of the exotic pet trade, and the need for a systemic shift in how we think about bird ownership. From school programs and university internships to collaborations with conservation leaders, the aviary has pioneered educational and advocacy efforts that center birds as beings with autonomy and rights.
The organization’s groundbreaking internship programs train young people in compassionate animal care and nonprofit operations, while digital media campaigns have helped raise public awareness about the hidden suffering of the bird trade. Plans to partner with institutions like John Ball Zoo were already in motion, signaling a transformative future.
Without a physical facility, all of that momentum is at risk of collapsing.
Community Support Needed Now
The aviary is urgently seeking a new location to house its birds, ideally within the West Michigan area. A suitable building must accommodate indoor/outdoor aviaries, quarantine space, proper ventilation, and facilities for both animal care and educational outreach.
The financial cost of relocating, securing a new lease or property, and outfitting it for specialized avian care is steep—but the cost of doing nothing is far greater.
“We’ve poured years of love, labor, and learning into this mission. But now, we can’t do it alone. We need the community to stand with us—to keep these birds safe, and to keep this vision alive,” said Tembreull.
How You Can Help
Albatross Aviary is asking for immediate help in the following ways:
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Monetary donations to support relocation costs
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Leads on potential properties or facilities
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Skilled volunteers to assist with packing, transport, and setup
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Sponsorships and fundraising collaborations with local businesses
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Media exposure to help amplify their urgent call
The organization has launched an emergency capital campaign, with all funds going directly to securing a safe new home for the birds. Every dollar raised is a vote for life, for sanctuary, and for change.
The Bigger Picture
This crisis is not just about one nonprofit—it’s about a broken system. Companion birds are among the most misunderstood and neglected animals in captivity. Many people acquire parrots without understanding their complex emotional needs, long lifespans, or the trauma inflicted by confinement. As a result, shelters across the country are overflowing, and many birds are passed from home to home—or worse.
Albatross Aviary has been a rare lighthouse in that storm. With its holistic, ethical, and education-first approach, it has shown what is possible when we choose to care differently.
Now it’s time for the community to show that they care too.
Let's not let 75 lives slip through our fingers. Lets make sure their story—and their sanctuary—doesn’t end here.
