Our History

Beak n Wings, Inc. was founded in Shawnee Mission, Kansas in 1999 through the vision of Dean Tyson, our Executive Director. Within two years, Beak n Wings had started attending local festivals, reaching out to the community with educational materials and advice, and also held the club’s first Bird Expo at Benjamin Ranch.
Originally conceived as an educational hobby club only, Beak n Wings has evolved into a rescue and adoption agency that fills a void in the Kansas City area. In 2004, it became obvious to the board that for the club to adequately respond to the needs of all the relinquished birds, we would have to obtain outside funding. To accomplish this and to assure the public of our intent, the club decided to become a Kansas non-profit corporation and has filed for federal non-profit status. Also in 2004, Beak n Wings became a Kansas state-licensed shelter.
In 2003, Beak n Wings took in a total of 52 relinquished birds and found loving homes for most of them. As of April 2004, the club has taken in 26 birds needing new homes. All of the birds Beak n Wings accepts are fostered in the homes of volunteer club members and rehabilitated if necessary.
While rescue and adoption has become an avocation for those members involved, Beak n Wings still also operates as an agency for educating the public in ethical and humane pet bird care and training, and as a fun hobby club for members to exchange ideas and enjoy fun activities with and without their birds.
As we look to the future and dream of acquiring our own shelter building some day, we also look back and realize how far we’ve come in five years - from a few friends simply sharing each other’s interest in the world of aviculture, to a Kansas Not-for-Profit Corporation, state licensed as a shelter, with a successful rescue and adoption program, educational programs and an enthusiastic membership serving the greater Kansas City area.

History was written 2004
Updates:
2005: We received our 501 c3 status February 2005 (letter is online).
2008: Beak n Wings has reached over 350 members this year.
2009: Rescue and Adoption: Beak n Wings has brought in over 1,000 birds since 2003. People have turned them over for a variety of reasons.