Since 1996 Weiner has provided a sanctuary for parrots. A Glencoe policeman for 22 years, Weiner is also executive director of Rescue the Birds.
"I love my dogs, I love my cats and they're great but they last for 12, 15, 18 years and then they're gone. Parrots, 60, 70, 80 years are very very long," said Weiner.
In a suburban Northbrook location, Weiner and his fiancé, Stoner, care for 60 parrots living in four rooms of a facility licensed for adoptions.
"A lot of people will pass on and the bird is still there. Family members won't always take these birds. They're very difficult. It's like having a four-year-old for the rest of your life so there's no place for them and we need to bring them in here," said Stoner.
Parrots seem to have a penchant for social interaction with people.
"I couldn't not do this...I tell you there isn't a day that I don't wake up that I don't enjoy doing what I do," said Weiner.
Weiner and Stoner run the organization Rescue the Birds.
For more information, please visit: www.rescuethebirds.org.
