Birds can be really interesting to watch, and many people have exotic birds as pets. And while most people like to watch birds, they do not appeal to everyone as pets. Birds require more patience than, say, a pet dog or cat. And birds can sometimes be temperamental.
This makes the sanctuary particularly appealing. Without having to own a bird, you can watch exotic birds in a beautiful, tranquil habitat. And if you do own one or more birds, or are considering getting one, the sanctuary gives you the opportunity to see a number of different kinds of birds. And, you can even get up close if you would like to. If one of the volunteers is on-site, you can ask questions and learn even more.
The sanctuary was originally created by Mary-Lou Baiata, the long-time owner of Nature Scapes and the birds before her passing in the summer of 2014. The sanctuary is a Florida non-profit organization and a 501 C corporation designed to help rehabilitate and re-home abused or neglected parrots. The sanctuary provides a safe haven for the pet birds that need help. The sanctuary officially started on August 7, 2014, with 6 parrots and those same six are flourishing under the daily and watchful care of the volunteers.
How the Birds Got to the Sanctuary
Marylou Baiata, the founder of NatureScapes, accepted and cared for birds in her nursery until her death on July 25, 2014. In most cases, original owners surrendered the birds because they could no longer care for them. Some moved to assisted living centers or nursing homes. Marylou’s favorite bird, Teddy, is the signature bird of the sanctuary and is known for saying: Tickle, Tickle, Tickle. The sanctuary is named after Teddy.
The sanctuary is offered birds on a regular basis, but due to space limitations and our mission to provide excellent care, we can only accept a limited number. To help people, we offer a matching service and have placed a number of birds in excellent homes. Dr. Tappan supervises all “adoptions” personally and provides continual support to adoptive parents.
Trudy Tappan
The leader of the sanctuary is Trudy Tappan, RN, Ph.D. Dr. Tappan has had pet birds ever since she was 5 years old and has an impressive educational background with four academic degrees.
In addition to these degrees, Dr. Tappan has taken multiple avian veterinarian courses to further her knowledge of birds. Her presence in the sanctuary has made it what it is. She slowly introduced the birds to a nutrition-rich pelleted diet, making the birds much healthier. Dr. Tappan filed all of the corporate paperwork to make the Sanctuary a non-profit tax-exempt organization, recruited and trained volunteers, and plans to seek a community educational grant.
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TickleToo Sanctuary Is in Deland
TickleToo Sanctuary has moved to Deland Florida
After many years at NatureScapes Nursery in Bunnell, the TickleToo Sanctuary was evicted when the nursery closed and the property was taken over by a church.
Our sanctuary built new enhanced aviaries in DeLand and is now part of Patty’s Parrot Palace.
We retained our corporate structure and non-profit status but are now part of something bigger and fabulous. Your visits and support have been a blessing to us. Thank you!
I hope you will visit us in DeLand. Visiting hours are Saturdays, once a month, starting in the fall. Sign up online at https://parrotpalace.org/
Dr. Tappan has relocated to DeLand to continue her long-standing volunteer work with the birds and will be on-site many days a week.
Copyright 2014 - 2020. All rights reserved. Tickle Too Sanctuary
WATCH a Short Video about this Sanctuary
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