| We've had articles on how to select a good avian | | | | - Do they have an avian veterinarian on staff, or on |
| vet. But what if you are interested in opening your | | | | a consult basis, to care for the birds medical needs? |
| home to an adopted bird? Do you know how to find | | | | What is the vets name? Is the vet certified to work |
| a good avian rescue to adopt a feathered friend? As | | | | with exotics? |
| the popularity of birds as pets soars, so does the | | | | There are many questions to ask. Use your |
| number of displaced birds each year. | | | | discernment to select the questions you feel need to |
| If you are thinking of adopting an old bird, first stop | | | | be asked. Insist on touring the facility (or foster |
| and answer these questions. | | | | home, in some cases) where the bird you are |
| - Why am I interested in adopting a bird? | | | | interested in is kept, so you can see the current |
| - Do I have the funds to adopt a bird, provide | | | | conditions of the bird. Sadly, some organizations that |
| adequate food, supplies, and potential vet care? | | | | parade as rescues are really nothing more then |
| - Do I have room in my house for another bird? | | | | hoarding situations. Fortunately, this is not the norm, |
| - Do I have ample room in my house to quarantine a | | | | but is certainly something to be aware of. |
| new bird? | | | | Picking that 'Right' Companion Bird |
| - How will my other bird(s) react? Can I handle | | | | If you have found an organization you feel |
| increased noise in my household? | | | | comfortable working with, the next step is to review |
| - Do I have time to spend with another companion | | | | the birds available. Organizations usually have handful |
| parrot? | | | | (or more) of birds that are currently available for |
| If you said 'yes' to all of the above, then great! You | | | | adoption. Examine the species and make a list of |
| are ready to seriously look into local rescue | | | | traits you want in your companion. Visit all the birds |
| organizations to find that next perfect companion for | | | | currently available. If you feel drawn to a specific |
| you. | | | | bird, visit it multiple times. Does it have the traits you |
| How To Begin The Search | | | | desire in a pet? If the answer is yes, then you can |
| At first, upon deciding to bring a new bird home, the | | | | begin to move to the next step, the pre-adoption |
| venues for finding that companion can seem | | | | phase. |
| overwhelming. Craigslist, Kijjiijii, Hoobly, and your local | | | | Most organizations require a home visit prior to |
| classified papers are just the first place to turn, if | | | | agreeing to adopt out the bird. They want to insure |
| you are interested in the private adoption of a | | | | the bird is going to an avian friendly home that can |
| parrot. Be careful when pursuing these venues, as | | | | properly care for an exotic. Some organizations |
| there are many scams out there. These scams | | | | require more then one home visit; a home visit prior |
| speak of birds at a 'good price' (usually in the range | | | | to the adoption, and one or more visits after the |
| of $400 or less) and boast of the birds having | | | | adoption process has started and the bird is in your |
| paperwork, being up to date with their veterinary | | | | residence. Depending on the organization, each |
| needs, and beg to take the bird into a good home. | | | | adoption process will be handled differently. When |
| Most of these scams reveal that funds from you are | | | | adopting my birds, I was first required to foster |
| needed in advance to ship the bird to you. If you | | | | them for a period of time before signing the adoption |
| come across such a listing; run, don't walk, run the | | | | papers. After I signed, the papers were held for a |
| other way! | | | | period of time, after which they were sent to me as |
| Begin by calling your trusted avian vet. Because your | | | | confirmation that the birds were legally mine. This |
| vet deals with exotics on a regular basis, chances are | | | | was to ensure that the were a good fit in my |
| they will know of a bird (or animal) currently seeking | | | | household. If anything was to arise, I had a 'grace |
| a new home. Contact them and inquire about any | | | | period, so to speak, in which I could return the birds |
| potential adoptee's. If you vet doesn't know of a bird | | | | to the organization if I determined that it just would |
| that needs a home, chances they will shortly. Leave | | | | not work out. |
| your contact information and request they contact | | | | Depending on the rescue, each can have varying |
| you if they hear of a bird that needs a home. | | | | degrees of requirements under which you must abide |
| The next step would be to research any avian | | | | by to adopt a bird through them. These requirements |
| rescues in your area. Doing a simple web query can | | | | can be anything from living within a certain driving |
| point you in the right direction. Pick a rescue as close | | | | distance from the organization, to being a cat free |
| to you as possible, because many rescues require | | | | household, to having your household be teflon free. |
| that the adopting family be within 100 miles or less of | | | | Some organizations are more strict in their |
| the organization's home. If you find one (or more) | | | | requirements then others. Can you agree with the |
| rescues in your area, write them down. Call and | | | | adoption requirements set forth by the rescue you |
| enquire about the birds they currently have available, | | | | have chosen? |
| and ask questions about the organization itself. For | | | | If you have found a rescue organization you feel you |
| example: | | | | can work with, congratulations! The number of |
| - How long have they been in operation? | | | | displaced birds is growing each year, and secondhand |
| - Are they a nonprofit organization? If no, are they | | | | birds need homes, too. We applaud your efforts in |
| currently applying for nonprofit status? | | | | bringing an 'older' bird into your home. |
| - What are their adoption qualifications? | | | | Listed below are some resources to aid you in the |
| - Would they be willing to let you tour the facility | | | | search for your next companion. |
| where the birds are housed? | | | | |