Papegaaienpark Veldhoven

History of the N.O.P.

Tonnie van Meegen started out as a parrot trader. His clients often asked him how to take care of parrots. Most of the questions were about the care for parrots with problems such as feather plucking, Psittacose, stress, squawking, etc. Many parrots recieved bad care, sometimes out of ignorance. Because of this, in a short period of time, several parrots were returned for which a new home had to be found. As a result the attic of the house became overcrowded with all kinds of parrot species within a year. All the money Tonnie made from taking in parrots and from the trade in parrots, was invested in the care of these parrots. 

The situation became unbearable and the parrot trader could no longer stand the way that so many parrots were ill-treated. He decided to end his activities as trader. From that moment on the whole family became involved in the refuge. Parrot friends came to assist with the care for the animals and the foundation of the N.O.P.

On February 16, 1987 the Dutch Foundation for the Refuge and Care of Parrots (N.O.P.) was founded with the help of some of the parrot friends. 
Soon the attic of a furniture factory in Geldrop, which had been made available, became too small. A new location was needed after a blaze in the factory. Fortunately all the parrots were saved. As far as the Foundation was concerned, the birds deserved a proper location with space, fresh air, a real shower of rain, etc.

Since 1992 the N.O.P. has a property at its disposal, which measures well over 80,000 sq. meters (aprox 19.75 acres). Here you can find "Parrot park Veldhoven". In May 1993 the first 330 parrots were offered a good home here.

Our volunteers could extend the refuge center thanks to our donors, sponsors and visitors. After STIMULUS granted us a subsidy the volunteers could finally develop the idealized picture of the refuge center.

This idealized picture is also the dream of our chairman, Tonnie van Meegen. Ever since the foundation of the N.O.P. he has worked 7 days per week and 52 weeks per year so that he can now show you all the things that you will find in this parrot park. 
Under his capable guidance all employees, volunteers and people under alternative sanctions have worked hard to make the parrot park become a world famous center for the refuge and care of exotic birds.

As far as we know, the N.O.P. has become the largest refuge center in the world. We are still striving for more recognition because it is our opinion that there should be refuge centers, similar to our center, in every country so that exotic birds will receive the necessary help in case an owner is no longer able to take care of the animal. These birds deserve a good and loving home!