A B.C. parrot sanctuary may go the way of the dodo after the critical funding it receives from annual government gaming grants was cut this year.

The World Parrot Refuge in Coombs, B.C. cares for over 800 previously owned birds and aging ex-breeder parrots, including refugees from bird sanctuaries that recently closed in Alberta and Ontario.

Last year, the refuge received $110,000 from gambling grants.

"We figured [the grant] was obviously going to come again, so we kept allowing the birds to come in, and increased the staff accordingly," said refuge owner Wendy Huntbatch.

But last September, Huntbatch received an e-mail from the province saying there was no funding available for the refuge this year.

"We expected $100,000 and got nothing," she said. "It wasn't just us, it was just about every animal organization across B.C."

Huntbatch said it cost $400,000 to operate the 23,000-square-foot sanctuary in 2009.

Since the loss of the grant, Huntbatch has had to lay off all 17 staff members at the refuge, though many continue to volunteer. Huntbatch has also started a funding drive and onsite thrift shop, hoping to re-employ staff as money comes in.

"The province will not be funding community gaming grants for environmental groups this year, unless groups have a written three-year gaming grant commitment," wrote a spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing and Social Development, which distributes the grants.

The ministry is prioritizing programs in the areas of health and social services, youth sports and arts, public safety and Parent Advisory Councils, said the spokesperson.

"This means that the World Parrot Refuge will not be eligible for community gaming grants this year, unless they have a program that has an educational component for youth."

The spokesperson person added that the ministry would reassess funding priorities again next year.

The refuge is one of many organizations that lost out on provincial gambling grants this year, including arts and music festivals, childcare centres and services, and youth drop-in centres.

Robyn Smith is completing a practicum at The Tyee.