Parrot Ownership (or why one should really do the research before buying a pet....)

[Jak43]

Also, at the rescue you are paying for them bringing that bird in, helping him/her to heal or recover from the loss of their flock or from the abuse they endured for G-d knows how long. You are paying for the expense (both monetary and emotionally) they showered on this little one and all the countless others they have openly and generously reached out to help when all others have turned their backs. You are supporting them so they can continue to reach out to the many others that are waiting to come to them. The ones they cannot afford to help and who so desperately need their help. When you consider all a good rescue organization does for so many abandoned birds and mistreated birds - a few hundred dollars hardly seems adequate. Look at the Oasis Sanctuary or the Gabriel Foundation or so many other fine rescue operations across this country. The work they do is priceless. Volunteering time at a good sanctuary would be an eye opening experience indeed.

[missysue29]

That is true. It is very well spent money. Just a bit harder to get together the extra money all at once. I would LOVE to volunteer at a bird sanctuary! It would be an amazing experience. But between working 35 hours a week, taking care of the house and all my pets, and not having a car, I wouldnt be able to get there but every once in a blue moon. Not to say that I havent tried to volunteer at my local dog shelter, I just cant get there. it really sucks, cuz volunteering (with animals more specifically) is something I really want to do.

[Jak43]

Understood, but a good rescue may be willing to make it easier for you to pay over time if they know you will be a good parront to one of their flock. It would be worth starting the dialogue.

[missysue29]

Originally Posted by Jak43

Understood, but a good rescue may be willing to make it easier for you to pay over time if they know you will be a good parront to one of their flock. It would be worth starting the dialogue.

I never thought of that. I guess I'm just used to the hardasses at animal control when I was trying to adopt a dog(Ya know, you sure do have to jump through a bunch of hoops for a dog that if you dont adopt they are just going to put to sleep anyway.) If I decide Im ready for another bird, Ill contact some rescues and see how they can help out(hopefully by the time im ready for one, the economy will be better and I will just have the money outright.) I would much rather do that. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Monica]

Originally Posted by missysue29

Its not like with dogs where the purebred ones are more expensive, and definitly more expensive from a breeder, and the rescues are trying to just break even.

Sad thing is, that isn't necessarily true.... I've seen a lot of ads for *designer dogs* (AKA MUTTS!) for more than purebreds. Same goes for birds, hybrids may be more expensive than pure species. Some rescues will charge the average price for a particular bird, as compared if you got it from a breeder, while others will charge a reduced price. Some rare rescues may not charge much at all.

Most of my birds are second hand, plus, birds. More or less, birds that were offered to me because someone knew that I had birds and liked birds. When the time is right, I do plan on searching out a green conure (cherry head, mitred, white eyed, etc) and adopting one from a bird rescue. If that falls through, then one straight from an owner. If I don't end up finding one that way, (practically impossible) then my plan is to buy one from a breeder.

[RXK]

"Its hard to adopt a bird from a rescue (for example) for $400 when you know you can get one from a breeder $200. Its not like with dogs where the purebred ones are more expensive, and definitly more expensive from a breeder, and the rescues are trying to just break even. The bird rescues are charging more and its more hassle with them than with a breeder. I guess getting one from craigslist would still count as a rescue though, without the middleman.

I didnt realize that it was getting to the point where birds were being euthanized! I guess cuz you dont see stray birds flying around every day... But I would definitly love to rescue and give a couple birds their forever home, but its just the up front cost of adopting one from a rescue that is stopping me. Sure, I could charge any vet bills if need be, and can always afford to pay for their everyday cost, but Im not going to/can't charge a bird or any pet."




if the cost of adopting from a rescue is an issue, you can adopt from your local humane society and/or animal shelter such as the spca. i believe their adoption fees are a lot less than what you're suggesting for a rescue.

[hollyhawkz]

Originally Posted by missysue29

Its hard to adopt a bird from a rescue (for example) for $400 when you know you can get one from a breeder $200. Its not like with dogs where the purebred ones are more expensive, and definitly more expensive from a breeder, and the rescues are trying to just break even. The bird rescues are charging more and its more hassle with them than with a breeder. I guess getting one from craigslist would still count as a rescue though, without the middleman...

It's true.... prices are high, but at least some of theses include proper cages.... still like you said people can get one off internet classifieds for the same price without the hassle of paperwork and approval.

I often look at the local bird rescue site. Here's ours... not bad....
They are currently looking for a larger facility as they cannot keep up with the expanding number of rescue parrots coming in.

Type of Bird
Rate
Cage & Accessories

Budgies
CA $10.00
Extra

Cockatiels / Lovebirds
CA $40.00 to CA $60.00
Extra

Parrotlets
CA $75.00
Extra

Medium-sized Parrots
(Conures, Ringnecks, Senegals, Pionus, Quakers)
CA $300.00 to CA $600.00
Included

Large-sized / Rarer Parrots
(Greys, Cockatoos, Eclectus, Amazons, Caiques)
CA $600.00 to CA $1,000.00
Included

I remember the section with the woman "Tweety" that wrote the book airing last year. There was a posting about her on BirdBoard, and for some reason that escapes me, she was not very popular here.

I have not read her book, maybe there was something disagreeable in there.

I do laugh every time at the part where she says it's like a three year old running around with a can opener on it's face.

The bit was much more in depth than last years.

[Jag]

Originally Posted by hollyhawkz

I remember the section with the woman "Tweety" that wrote the book airing last year. There was a posting about her on BirdBoard, and for some reason that escapes me, she was not very popular here.

I have not read her book, maybe there was something disagreeable in there.

I do laugh every time at the part where she says it's like a three year old running around with a can opener on it's face.

The bit was much more in depth than last years.

I remember that thread. The issue was a few things..one it seemed that she didn't know the lifespan of the bird she had (and then it was discussed that maybe she was just giving the lifespan of parrots in general). She also seemed like she was overwhelmed with being a parront, that she didn't enjoy the bird at all, stating something to the effect of "everyday" she thinks that she can't deal another day or something like that. I don't know if it was for dramatic effect, but the whole thing played to discourage people from getting parrots, highlighting only the 'negative' and I for one don't know HOW that would help all the fids that need homes. Encouraging someone to make a realistic decision about what is involved is one thing, but acting like it's killing you to have a bird in your home raises the question of 'are YOU (the people being interviewed) the right person to be taking care of a parrot?'

There are a lot of people who (obviously) get parrots without knowing what they're getting into and then NOT doing what's right for it (they keep it in a basement or garage with no interaction, etc) until it's totally messed up. However, scaring off potential GOOD homes I think is something they also may have accomplished. I know my mom saw it, and even though she is scared to death of all birds, she called me and told me that she had NO idea all the time and work and effort that I had to put into my parrots. I was at least happy to have some acknowledgement from her that they weren't the latest fad for me (she STILL doesn't realize I'm an adult), but that I really love and care for my parrots as my children, and want the best for them, even if that means sleeping less, and having less time to myself.

As for dog breeders, I can tell you that GOOD breeders don't make a lot of money off their litters. The vetting for a litter, the time for training, vet bills for the parents, the HUGE amount of time it takes to take care of a litter, and the cost of the parents themselves greatly reduces the amount of money that is made from breeding. Of course, there are the exceptions... such as all the backyard breeders who don't care about breed standard, who don't train the pups before selling, and don't vet the litter. It is VERY time consuming, and to be done right needs really to be a full time job for some breeds.

[Monica]

There were two threads on the topic...
Parrots in the news (cbs) (made a reply on page 3)


This is the other thread... (the one we are in now)

[MissV]

As with lots of news pieces, I feel it suffers from being very one-sided. You've got the one lady with 6 birds who shows that some people enjoy it, but honestly? You get like "I have no life but YAY BIRDS!" and that's it.

I have three birds. I have a life. I go on vacations. I provide for them and they do not run my life and they are not horribly behaved.

I feel they should have featured more experts and exceptional owners explaining how this situation is possible, but it takes LOTS AND LOTS of knowledge, patience, and work.


I have to admit though, I teared up over the lady giving the 'too to the rescue. More so for the 'too though. You could see that he had true affection for her. And, especially for a 'too, that is such a sad bond to break.


I don't think it's right to paint the situation like this so one-sidedly though and scare off potentional GOOD owners. This is what I keep seeing with like...teaching too. Everyone wants to talk about how horrible it is but then is like "oh, but I love it anyway". And they never exlain to you how rewarding it can be and how good certain days can be. Everything is hard if you don't know what you're doing! And even if you do!


But with lots of effort and education, anything that you truly want and care about can be dealt with and accomplished.