110 parakeets find homes

The Seattle Animal Shelter found new homes Wednesday for 110 parakeets discovered in a one-bedroom apartment.

At least 30 people, holding cages the shelter required for free adoption of the bright, multicolored birds, were lined up waiting when the shelter opened at noon.

The birds were found after neighbors complained.

"You could hear the noise from the street," animal control officer Neil Deruyter said.

The birds were being kept in unsanitary conditions and were surrendered by their owner, an unidentified man in his 50s who had been collecting them for about five years, authorities said.

The owner told the officers he previously tried to give the small birds to another shelter, but said he had been told only five would be kept and the rest would be euthanized.

No animal cruelty charges were expected to be filed against the owner because of his cooperation, Seattle Animal Shelter executive Director Don Jordan said.