EVEN IF you are not in the market for a pet parrot, there are plenty of other ways you can help a deserving bird rescue group.

• Donate equipment. Rescuers keep long wish lists of items they need to make it through another day of caging, feeding, and rehabilitating orphaned birds. Popular items range from bird cages and office supplies to shop-vacs and vehicles. Check with the group to see if you have something in your attic or garage it can use.
• Volunteer. All groups need volunteers who can offer at least a few hours every week. Needs vary from cleaning cages and feeding to helping with fundraising and picking up surrendered birds.
• Become a foster home. Groups that do not have dedicated buildings rely on local volunteers to keep birds until permanent homes can be found. You might have to pay for food and vet care.
• Send money. Financial contributions are always welcome. Some organizations accept monthly donations for sponsoring individual birds.

If you want to be able to deduct donations, or feel confident that your contributions are going where they are intended, you'll want to make sure the organization is registered as a not-for-profit. Most who are post their identification number on their Web site.

For further peace of mind you might want to obtain a copy of the organization's registration and financial statements from the state government entity responsible for setting out nonprofit guidelines. In most states this office is the attorney general's or secretary of state's.

Your local nonprofit association can tell you which state office is responsible. To locate your local association, visit the National Council of Nonprofit Associations.

Lack of not-for-profit status does not necessarily mean an organization does not do good charitable work. Some small operations prefer not to hassle with nonprofit registration requirements, which include forming a board of directors and writing bylaws.

Regardless of a group's status, do not give cash and always make your contributions out by check to the name of the charity, not to an individual. Keep your canceled check or other receipt from the charity as a record.

Before donating, check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been lodged against the organization. To find your local chapter, visit www.bbb.org.