We have had articles on how to select a good avian vet. But what if he is interested in opening his home to an adopted bird? Do you know how to find a good avian rescue to adopt a feathered friend? As the popularity of pet birds increases, so does the number of birds displaced each year.
If you’re thinking of adopting an old bird, first stop and answer these questions.
– Why am I interested in adopting a bird?
– Do I have the funds to adopt a bird, provide adequate food, supplies and potential veterinary care?
– Do I have room in my house for another bird?
– Do I have enough space in my house to quarantine a new bird?
– How will my other birds react? Can I handle the increased noise in my home?
– Do I have time to spend with another fellow parrot?
If you said ‘yes’ to all of the above, great! You’re ready to seriously search your local rescue organizations to find the next perfect companion for you.
How to start the search
At first deciding to bring a new bird home, the places to find that companion can seem overwhelming. Craigslist, Kijjiijii, Hoobly, and your local classifieds are just the first place to go if you’re interested in private parrot adoption. Be careful when searching for these places as there are many scams out there. These scams tout birds at a ‘good price’ (usually in the $400 or less range) and boast that the birds have the paperwork, are up to date on their veterinary needs, and beg to be taken to a good home. Most of these scams reveal that funds are needed from you up front to ship the bird to you. If you come across such a list; Run, don’t walk, run to the other side!
Start by calling your trusted avian vet. Since your vet deals with exotic animals on a regular basis, chances are they know of a bird (or animal) currently looking for a new home. Contact them and ask about potential adoptees. If your vet doesn’t know of a bird that needs a home, chances are it will soon. Please leave your contact information and ask to be contacted if they hear of a bird in need of a home.
The next step would be to research any bird rescues in your area. Doing a simple web query can point you in the right direction. Choose a rescue as close to you as possible, because many rescues require the adoptive family to be within 100 miles or less of the organization’s home. If you find one (or more) rescues in your area, write them down. Call and ask about the birds they currently have available, and ask questions about the organization itself. For example:
– How long have they been in operation?
– Are you a non-profit organization? If not, are they currently applying for nonprofit status?
– What are your adoption qualifications?
– Would they be willing to let you tour the facilities where the birds are housed?
– Do they have an avian veterinarian on staff, or by appointment, to attend to the medical needs of the birds? What is the name of the vet? Is the vet certified to work with exotics?
There are many questions to ask. Use your judgment to select the questions you feel are necessary. Insist on touring the facility (or foster home, in some cases) where the bird you’re interested in is kept, so you can see the bird’s current condition. Unfortunately, some organizations that parade as rescues are nothing more than hoarding situations. Fortunately, this is not the norm, but it is certainly something to be aware of.
Choosing the ‘right’ pet bird
If you have found an organization you feel comfortable working with, the next step is to review the available birds. Organizations often have a handful (or more) of birds that are currently available for adoption. Examine the species and make a list of the traits you want in your mate. Visit all currently available birds. If you are attracted to a specific bird, visit it several times. Does it have the traits you want in a pet? If the answer is yes, you can start moving to the next step, the pre-adoption phase.
Most organizations require a home visit before agreeing to adopt the bird. They want to make sure the bird will go to a bird-friendly home that can properly care for an exotic. Some organizations require more than one home visit; one home visit prior to adoption and one or more visits after the adoption process has begun and the bird is in your residence. Depending on the organization, each adoption process will be handled differently. When adopting my birds, I was first asked to care for them for a period of time before signing the adoption papers. After signing, the papers were held for a period of time, after which they were sent to me as confirmation that the birds were legally mine. This was to ensure they would fit well in my home. If something came up, he had a ‘grace period, so to speak, where he could return the birds to the organization if he determined it just wouldn’t work out.
Depending on the rescue, each may have varying degrees of requirements that you must meet in order to adopt a bird through them. These requirements can be anything from living within a certain driving distance of the organization, to being a cat-free home, to having a Teflon-free home. Some organizations are more stringent in their requirements than others. Do you agree with the adoption requirements set forth by the rescue you have chosen?
If you have found a rescue organization that you feel you can work with, congratulations! The number of displaced birds grows every year and second-hand birds also need a home. We applaud your efforts to bring a ‘greater’ bird into your home.
Listed below are some resources to help you in your search for your next partner.
mickaboo
The Gabriel Foundation
phoenix landing
parrot rescue
avian welfare
lily sanctuary