At Wit's End With Your Feathered Friend

I worked at an exotic vets office for about a year, when people found out I worked with parrots, the most common question I heard was “Do you know anyone who would want a such and such parrot?” Many owners had a problem parrot and were ready to find it a better home but didn’t know how to find a good home.
I encourage everyone to seek help before you give up. If your parrot has a bad habit please don’t feel it’s a “bad parrot.” “Bad or “mean parrots” are created by events and circumstances and their negative habits are a result of these circumstances. If you are willing to invest a little more time in your parrot before giving up, please check out some of our other articles to learn to deal with the problems you are facing. However, if you are at your wit's end and ready to rehome, this article is for you.
While most of my articles have a scientific basis, this is one close to my heart. It’s going to be based on observation and my own opinions but I’ll also try to add in some stats and reliable sources as I find them. First, I want to share my opinions on adopting out/surrendering/rehoming. Then I’ll share some organizations with great surrendering programs.
Many parrot owners have strong opinions about surrendering parrots. It is my goal that this article opens your mind to common situations where surrendering is acceptable and possibly necessary. The worst thing someone can do is causing another to feel bad for surrendering his or her parrot. Please DO NOT shame them. Surrendering is one of the most selfless things a person can do. In my experience, when a parrot mom or dad gives up their parrot, it is because they care more about the well-being of the parrot. They are often giving up something they have dreamed about, grown to love, and have invested time and money into the life of the parrot but they love them so much, they are willing to surrender the parrot so that the parrot will have a better life.

Don't Let This Scare You

Again, this article is for those who are at their wit's end and already made the decision to surrender. If you are going through any of these situations, this DOES NOT mean you need to surrender your parrot.

Reasons to Surrender

Here are some reasons many parrot moms and dads choose to rehome.

Death of Owner:

Parrots may morn the death of their owner. They may exhibit their sadness with stress and negative behaviors such as biting, screaming, and plucking feathers. If the existing family is not prepared to deal with these problems, they may become worse.

Moving:

Occasionally owners may need to move to a location that does not allow their species of a parrot or the housing ordinances will not allow animals.

Lifestyle Change:

Parrots often live for over 70 years (BBC FOCUS MAGAZINE, 2016). With that in mind, lifestyle changes are certain. Owners often find that they are not able to give their parrot the special attention it deserves when starting a new career, changing to a position in a company that requires time on the road, school pressure, or perhaps the addition of a baby or a new family member moving in with them. Occasionally, a household member will not accept the parrot. Any of these changes can cause the parrot too much stress and it may be best for the parrot’s well-being to be surrendered.

Health Problems:

Everyone plans to “live long and prosper” however, allergies, sensitivities and respiratory problems are common causes for a doctor to recommend surrendering a parrot.

Uninformed Dreamer:

Parrots are very intelligent. They require lots of work and continual learning for both the parrot mom or dad and the parrot. However, many parrot moms and dads are not informed of the huge responsibility that comes with a parrot. If a parrot mom or dad is not interested in the huge responsibility, it is much better for the parrot to be with someone who can fully care for its needs.

Unwilling to Invest:

Parrots require a lot of time, money, and energy. Furthermore, most bad behaviors such as screaming, plucking, and biting can be overcome; however, it requires additional investments. If the parrot mom or dad is not willing or able to invest enough in their parrot, the parrot would be better off being surrendered.

Offer Your Parrot The Best Life:

Keri, the owner of Bird Gardens of Naples believes if an owner is unwilling or unable to take care of a parrot, no matter the reason, it is better to surrender the bird than not take care of it. “The only good thing you can do for the animal is to get rid of it…because then it has the opportunity to have a better life (Lohrman, 2017).”

Surrendering

Where to Find a New Home

Okay, how can you find a good home that will truly love and care for your beloved parrot?

Start by asking your Avian Vet. A good organization will provide medical care for the parrots. Because of this, the vet will be familiar with how well the organization manages its intakes (surrendered parrots). You can get additional recommendations by asking local exotic bird stores and your local parrot club. If you're not satisfied with your results you can search online or post a question about rescues in a facebook group. Just keep in mind the information you find online and in social media is often unreliable; use good judgment and ask lots of questions.

Rescue, Sanctuary, or Rehoming?

The main difference between a rescue and a sanctuary is a rescue “takes in unwanted birds. Often due to owner choice (Lohrman, 2017).” Often a rescue uses a temporary home or finds a new home to place the parrot as a pet. After the rescue has found a new family for the parrot, the parrot is commonly considered “rehomed.” A sanctuary is a place the parrots go to live safely and be cared for but usually not placed in a home. Kari considers a sanctuary to be a place for parrots that are NOT pets. She recommends a sanctuary as a permanent place for parrots that shouldn’t be adopted out due to behavior or upbringing.

What Questions Should You Ask Before Surrendering Your Parrot?

Instead of asking yes and no questions, ask “tell me about…” This way you will get a better feel for what’s important to them.
Here are some conversations starters and questions you should have answered:

• Tell me about the day to day interactions with the parrots from the time it is surrendered to the time it is adopted.
• Do parrots receive wellness and physical exam by a vet upon intake? Vaccinations, tests, etc?
• Are parrots quarantined upon intake? How long? (30 days is sufficient)
• Do the parrots stay in a foster home or sanctuary setting?
• Are the parrots given fresh fruit and vegetables?
• Tell me about the application process for adoption.
• What are the adoption fees?
• Do you make surprise house visits?
• Do you provide education or classes for adopters? If so, is it required?
• Tell me more about the organization.
• Is it a 501(c)(3)? (federally recognized non-profit)
• When were they founded?
• How many employees?
• How many volunteers?

Rescues / Sanctuaries I Recommend:

Bird Gardens of Naples (Sanctuary)

Phone: (813) 841-1911
Address: 1060 Purple Martin DR, Naples, Florida 34120
Website: www.birdgardensofnaples.org
info@birdgardensofnaples.org

S.T.A.R. (Rescue)

Phone: (314) 995-6233
Mailing Address: PO Box 732, Manchester, MO 63011
Website: www.staravian.org

References

BBC FOCUS MAGAZINE. (2016, 01 27). How Long Do Parrots Live? Retrieved 04 21, 2017, from Science Focus: http://www.sciencefocus.com/qa/why-are-parrots-so-long-lived
Guy, A. J. (n.d.). Example of a Plagiarism Warning That Might Appear in a Syllabus. Retrieved August 11, 2015, from Yale: http://writing.yalecollege.yale.edu/advice-faculty/addressing-plagiarism/example-plagiarism-warning-might-appear-syllabus
Jones, T. (n.d.). Springfield, MO, USA.

Keep Reading

Check back for an article on some amazing rescues and sanctuaries. If you know of a great parrot rescue or sanctuary, please tell us about it. We would love to check it out and let others know about it.

The Parrot Mom Gives Back to Rescues