Tips on Screening My Buyers

[bissobudgie7]

I will soon be privately selling parakeet chicks. I know how many people consider parakeets (an maybe other types, as well) as "throw away" birds, not giving them the love/attention/respect that they deserve.

I want to try as much as possible to NOT sell my birds to people like this, and so I am asking for some assistance on how I should screen my buyers. Should I have them fill out an application (I, personally, think this is a good idea)? What information should I be asking on the application? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. If someone, perhaps, has a copy of their application that you could fax me, I would be more-than-glad to give you my fax number. Just send me a private message and let me know. This would be extremely helpful! ~JB

[Monica]

http://www.birdboard.com/forum/thread2674.html

Check that out for a start!

[felisdomesticus]

Have you ever had to get rid of a pet? if so, why?
Why do you want a bird as a pet?
What experience do you have with birds?
Where will this bird be kept?
Who will be responsible for caring for the bird?
Does anyone in the family have any type of allergies? If so, how are these allergies managed? What will you do if these allergies worsen upon bringing a bird into the house?
How will you train the bird?
How will you deal with the bird if it becomes excessively loud?
How will you deal with the bird if it does not want to be handled?
How many hours a day will the bird be left home alone?
Who will care for the bird if you plan to go away on a trip?
What would cause you to get rid of a bird?

[bissobudgie7]

Thanks for the link and for the great suggestions! They're very very helpful...

[felisdomesticus]

you're welcome. I work in cat/dog rescue so those were some I could think of off the top of my head from our application.

[Skyebirdsmom]

Here is one the Gabriel Foundation uses:
PLEASE PRINT AND COMPLETE THE ENTIRE FORM.
Applications and Questionnaires not fully completed may not be given full consideration

Name: __________________________________________________ _____________

Email Address: ****************** __________________________________________________ _____

Type of Residence HOUSE CONDO APARTMENT OTHER
Age of primary caretaker: _______________________________________________

How much money do you expect to spend initially? $________Yearly? $_________

Please explain what previous experience you have had with birds?


Do you plan on breeding? ____ yes ____ no

Animal Code Number and Name of bird you are interested in: ___________________

Adoption fee: $___________Is this an acceptable cost for you? ____ yes ____ no

Why do you want to adopt this bird? _______________________________________

What will you do if the bird decides dislike you or another member of the household?

Do any of the members of your household object to adopting a bird?

Is the bird for someone specific in your household? ____________________________

Does anyone in the household smoke? ____ yes ____ no

Do you use Teflon coated cookware? ____ yes ____ no

Are air fresheners, scented candles or perfumes used in the household? ____ yes ____ no

Are you aware that:

Birds require a great deal of attention and maintenance?
Are very expensive to feed, keep healthy, and keep entertained?
Might have or develop undesirable habits (screaming, biting, and destruction of any object in reach, dislike of strangers or your mate, messy, wasteful)?
Can be destructive?
Can be loud and cause audio disturbances that neighbors may complain about?
Require a minimum of an annual visit to the vet for a general check up?


How many hours a day will the bird be left alone? __________________________

When you are away from home, who will care for the bird? ___________________

What do you expect from a pet bird?


What characteristics are most important to you?


What would the bird’s primary diet be? ______________________________________

What is the average life expectancy for the species you are interested in adopting? ____

Who will be your primary Veterinarian? ____________________________________
Are they Avian Certified? ____ yes ____ no

How often will the bird visit the vet?_________________________________________

Please describe symptoms that may require a veterinary visit:


Will your bird be bathed regularly? ____ yes ____ no

Will you clip the bird’s wings to prevent flight? ____ yes ____ no

How will you prevent the bird from being injured in your home (chewing on things that could harm it, running into windows, being injured by objects or other inhabitants, etc.)?



What size/type of cage/housing will you provide for the bird?


How will you provide activities for the bird when you are away?


Where will the cage be placed in your home?


How do you plan to provide for this bird in the event of your death?


Are you aware of our Friends Forever program? ____ yes ____ no

Under what circumstances would you not want to keep this bird? (circle all that apply)

Moving Job status change Allergy New relationship
Divorce/Separation Behavior issues Too expensive
Feather Plucking Does not ‘talk’ Doesn’t like you Serious illness
Biting or Screaming behaviors Cannot spend enough time with bird
Neighbor/family complaints Other (explain)


Please provide us with three bird friendly references (vet, pet store, bird owner, etc)
Name
Relationship
Address
Phone Email
How long has this person worked with birds?

Name
Relationship
Address
Phone Email
How long has this person worked with birds?

Name
Relationship
Address
Phone Email
How long has this person worked with birds?

[Rue]

...not to be a party pooper...and I don't have a better solution...

...but it would be pretty easy for someone to 'fake' all the correct answers...plus it's too easy to write off some potentially very good homes if they've given an honest but 'incorrect' answer...

...I'd be most concerned about the first scenario though...

[bissobudgie7]

Rue, yes those issues have crossed my mind, as well, though I have never done this before. I'm wondering if I should even go through a screening process. I mean, if people think I'm "nuts" and do not want to go through the "hassle," then they'll just go to a a local pet store where these little birds are a dime-a-dozen. . . I hate to look at it so pessimistically, but that's the problem I just "might" run into, although I am nearly certain that they'll receive a much more "healthier" bird through me. It's sort of disturbing to think of just how many folks I might encounter who think of parakeets as just a "throw away" bird, if/when they get to the point where they become "bored" with it. . .

[Rue]

...yes, esp. with budgies! I can't believe how many are just dumped! Those poor little birds...it makes me very sad...

...seems to happen a lot with cockatiels too...(and the more common finches, like the Zebra - we bought ours for $15 - store promotion)...

...the only answer I can see that would help a great deal, albeit not solve the problem entirely...is to charge WAY more for them, to avoid those total impulse purchases...

...but then, ALL suppliers/breeders would need to unit to increase the price, and it just won't happen...

...we recently stopped breeding and selling horses because I can't deal with the selling of 'my' babies...

[Dayna]

I sell cockatiel chicks. Mostly I don't have a "questionair" for anyone to fill out. First, I spend a lot of time talking to them. Second, I don't feel bad about turing people down. Third, I don't expect to make a lot of money due to me turning down about 25% of the people that call right off the bat.

Most people know me, and I have a waiting list to get one of my birds. So I am able to be MUCH more picky about who they go to.

Mostly I go on my "gut" feelings. Usually they prove to be true. I band all my chicks and register those band numbers at the local humane society. These bands are also registed with the National Cockatiel Society in case they end up somewhere else. If ever one of my chicks ends up at the humane society, I will know and can go pick it up.

I do have new owners sign a document saying that if they can't keep the bird for whatever reason that they cannot re-sell or give it away. It MUST be returned to me and I agree to pay all shipping costs associated with that, or I can sue them if they don't comply. It probably won't hold up in court, but most people would not know that.

I still keep in touch with most of the people I have sold birds to. As a matter of fact, I am baby sitting Daniel (who just turned one year old) this next week. :) My two cents.