OUR MISSION:

PEAR TREE Avian Sanctuary provides placement for unwanted psittacines.  We rescue, rehabilitate, and adopt out relinquished parrots.  In extreme cases we offer a permanent home.  PEAR TREE offers parrot owners education and assistance with basic bird care, nutrition and behavior issues.

Parrot Education, Adoption, & Rehabiliation (PEAR) serves as a temporary sanctuary facility for exotic birds.  At PEAR TREE we strive to educate about the responsibilities of companion parrot ownership, as well as proper care techniques.  When a bird owner is unable to keep their pet, we provide the means to find a loving, suitable new home.

Erin Sorensen, Founder of PEAR TREE Avian Sanctuary in Springfield, Missouri, is proud to be actively involved with the following animal welfare organizations:

  • Missouri State Coordinator, American Federation of Aviculture
  • Professional Member, Association of Zoos and Aquariums
  • Member, Gateway Parrot Club in St. Louis, Missouri

Erin's History in Brief:

Experience

  • Event & Volunteer Coordinator - Dickerson Park Zoo, Springfield, Missouri, March 2006 - Present
  • Parrot & Primate Keeper - Dickerson Park Zoo, Springfield, Missouri, February 2000 - March 2006
  • Raptor Rehabilitation Program - Dickerson Park Zoo, Springfield, Missouri, 2001 - 2007
  • Peregrin Falcon Project - 1997 Release of Peregrine Falcons to Southwest Missouri

Education

  • Bachelor of Science - Wildlife Conservation, Biology - Missouri State University, 2001
    • Minor - Agriculture
    • Minor – Photography
  • Class B Certification – State of Missouri – Peace Officer Academy, Valedictorian, 2003
  • Attended numerous annual AFA & AZA Conferences, training courses, seminars & workshops
  • Attended annual educational seminars hosted by the Gateway Parrot Club 2003 - 2007
  • Egg Incubation Workshop - Instructed by Joe Barkowski at Sedgwick County Zoo, 2004
  • Callitrichid Workshop - SSP - Hosted by Lincoln Park Zoo & Shedd Aquarium, 2002
  • Attended Lectures from the following highly recognized Avian Professionals:
    • Joseph Forshaw - Australian Ornithologist, and the world's foremost expert on parrots
    • Irene Pepperberg, Ph.D. - Avian Cognitive & Communicative Abilities, The Alex Foundation
    • Barbara Heindenreich - Expert Avian Behaviorist
    • Michelle Karras - Expert Avian Behaviorist
    • Phoebe Greene Linden - Expert Avian Behaviorist
    • Susan Friedman, Ph.D. - Expert Avian Behaviorist
    • Mattie Sue Athan - Expert Avian Behaviorist
    • Darrel Styles, DVM - Avian Veterinarian
    • Susan Clubb, DVM - Avian Veterinarian
    • Heather Wilson, DVM - Avian Veterinarian
    • Dorrance Haught, Ph.D. - Avian Nutritionist
    • Kashmir Csaky - Hyacinth Macaw Breeding Expert
    • Julie Weiss Murad - Founder of the Gabriel Foundation - Colorado
    • Richard Weiner - Founder of A Refuge for Saving the Wildlife - Illinois

Educational Articles related to Aviculture

Some articles by Erin you might find useful or otherwise interesting:

Safe Bird Toys

Making Safe Bird Toys

Psittacine Rehabilitation

A Look Into Raptor Rehabilitation

Emergency Pet Protocols

Macaws and Large Parrots in Rescues and Sanctuaries

Click here to see our adoptable pets!

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/MO348.html