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Athena, more bird rescue questions
Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:11 am
by jen5239
Hello,
Just sitting here wondering what kind of procedure you would have to go thru to adopt out one of your birds? What requirements do you have for potential parronts? How do you determine if they should be allowed to adopt one? How many have you placed? Do you ever have any come back? I'm just curious cuz I think what you're doing is wonderful! I'm proud of you! Do you get birds from all over or just from your area? I'm sorry if you think I'm being too nosey. I just think this is so interesting!
Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 4:09 pm
by Mazziemom
LOL, not too nosey.
Ok, trying to answer them in order:
We have an initial screening application for adoption, and we require that folks be in state with us. If the initial application looks good we run a criminal background ( to make sure theres no convictions for cruelty ) and begin calling references. Then we do in person meetings if that all went well, and we see if the bird and the person click. We allow time for bonding with in house meetings, then they move to foster. For 90 days the bird is their "foster child", meaning we can and will take it back if theres a problem.. and if all goes well after 90 days the bird is officially theirs (with the provision that if they ever need to rehome it the bird returns to us).
We require a good working knowledge of bird care, a relationship with an avian vet (even if you don't have a bird you can interview and pick a good one), and a LOT of patience. The visiting process can piss some folks off, but no bird leaves here until we are sure.
Last year (2005) we placed 11 directly from here, and 15 via assisted adoption. Assisted is where we get contacted about a bird who doesn't need behavior or medical help but does need a new home. We help that bird find a new home without ever coming to us.
We had one bounce, about 3 years ago. He came back to us, then she wanted him back.. which we wouldn't do. He went to a fantastic home and is very loved.
The majority of our intake birds are local, but we have gotten them from other states on occasion.
We don't take every bird offered, because we specialize in working with behaviorally challenged, plucking, or medically challenged birds. We do help with every one we can, via assisted adoption when they don't come here, but if we took every bird in we'd have 100's under our roof.
Athena