WARREN — Wanting to help parrots, which his family has had as pets, a local Boy Scout sponsored a parrot rescue awareness bird fair in Warren for his Eagle Scout project.

Kyle Takacs, 17, of Boy Scout Troop 15 , spoke with Tammi Apple of Parrot Hope Rescue about hosting a fair to raise awareness.

“Years ago my parents got a parrot and we learned about the parrot rescue group that help parrots. I wanted to help raise awareness of what they do and also money for parrot rescues,” said Takacs, a senior at the Trumbull Career and Technical Center.

Apple said many parrots suffer neglect and abuse.

“Parrots can live 60 to 80 years, so some of their owners may die before they do. They need to be taken care of,” Apple said.

Takacs and Apple worked together to coordinate the recent show at the International Order of Oddfellows building in Warren. More than 12 vendors participated and several parrots were adopted. There was also a raffle and Chinese auction.

While many Boy Scouts have completed Eagle Scout projects, Takacs said he believes his holding a parrot rescue fair was unique. Other Scouts from the troop helped him set up the event.

“They have all been involved with the event. It was a lot of fun,” Apple said.

Takacs, in scouts since he was 11, said what was most important was raising awareness of the parrots.

Parrot Hope Rescue, based in Mantua, was founded in 2005 to try to prevent the birds from being neglected or abandoned. The rescue takes in surrendered birds, gives them a temporary home, helps rehabilitate the parrots’ behavior and seeks permanent homes for the birds. In 2017, the group took in 200 parrots.

The group receives help from avian veterinarians who provide service to various types of birds, including all types of parrots. Call the rescue at 330-931-7736 for more information.