Vacation without Fids...

[CrazyforCockatiels]

We're going away for a couple of weeks soon and we decided not to take Percy and Roosevelt since it wouldn't be too practical.

I just called and reserved a spot for them for the two weeks at their vet's. I asked about perch time and they said definitely, but for some reason, I feel uneasy having other people handle them, even if these are vet techs and such and I get queasy thinking of Percy and Roo without me.

I asked about their fresh veggies in the morning, afternoon and evenings and if I could freeze the portions and bring them to the vet's. The office said they would go over to a local gourmet market (within walking distance of the vet's) to get the fids fresh greens if necessary so that right there made me feel good but still, I can't help but feel sad.

It's been a tough eight or so months, especially for our five year-old son. We moved here from MS last October, and right before we moved, my grandmother passed as did our 15 year-old cat and then our 13 1/2 year-old dog since we've been here. It's been a year of losses. So, the fids are special in more ways than one.

Can anyone shed some light on leaving beloved pets at the vet's? Will the fids be okay? All I can think about is night frights and how I always have their little night light on and....I could go on and on but will end here.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Laura

[Conure & Macaw Mom]

I personally have never had to leave my babies other then going to work & whatnot. I can't imagine what that would be like. I would be so scared. Especially since Nalah hates / attacks everyone but me. Romeo is pretty much the same way. Bonita loves anyone who will take her out, she's easy. LOL I would definitly get references & talk to people who have left their fids there & see what they had to say. Check out the room where they will be staying, etc. Freezing their portions is probably a good idea, they may get tired of walking to the market everyday. Keep us posted. Crystal

[catschair]

I have someone come in and take care of all my beasts at home. Best case, for short trips my friends' daughters come in and the fids get more attention than when I am here. For longer trips, I have a sitter and the cats & birds seem to do just fine.

[Tiki]

I also have someone come in while we are travelling. This year, since our AV is just five minutes down the road, one of the vet techs will be coming in on her way home from work so she will take great care of my babies. Plus she can email me updates.

If you are doing a road trip and the accommodations are pet friendly, you might consider taking them along. Tiels are pretty good travellers and they seem to enjoy the scenery.

[CrazyforCockatiels]

Hi All,

Thank you for your comments. We like their vet and trust him/them. I am just so attached to the fids. Thinking about it, I am thinking they'll be fine as they have each other and they'll be together. Also, people do board birds and usually nothing tragic happens so I will stop being a fatalist.

As for taking them, I wish we could but I am reticent about exposing them to hotel cleaners and smells, and I also need to consider the fact that we're staying with my mother-in-law for part of the trip and bringing her back with us so this precludes the birds coming along. One of these days we can take them.

Best,
Laura

[Valo's Moirana]

laura... i totally hear you - when i went to austria for christmas we boarded valo and bella at the vet's as well. we love our vet, she's great and the staff there is excellent as well... however, i cried the entire time when we dropped them off - they were nice though; we brought our toys and decorated the cages that they were staying in, we brought their happy huts, and some of their favorite foods. ask your vet if you can call - we ended up calling 3 or 4 times during the 2 weeks we were gone, and it made us feel a lot better to know that they were fine....
everything will be fine, but i sure absolutely understand you :)

[janejacinto]

Lucky here, have family that comes in and takes care of the birds. They even spend the night.

Volunteer at a local bird store and they do boarding, $2 a day for budgies, and $5 for cockatoo's and macaw's, somewhere inbetween for the others. They will provide cage or you can bring in one, food provided if it is what they sell or you can bring in food and treats (have frig for vegs, fruits and so on), they ask you to bring in toys but if you don't they will provide. Cage is cleaned daily, fresh water 3 times a day, feed twice a day. If bird is clipped they will take out daily as long as it is okay with people. They will clip nails and wings while there, that is included in boarding fee. Even on closed days, there are people in at least three times a day and sometimes even more. Best way to go around our area, even the vets recommend the store.

You may want to look around and see if you have a local bird store for boarding. If in Lorain County, Ohio, I recommend Mary's Bird World in Amherst.
Jane

[Tinna]

I lost my Parakeet and my Green Cheek when they were left at someone elses home in someone elses care (and they were experienced) BOTH times I went out of town. Now I refuse to travel without my sun conure if that means extra cost I will not leave him behind, he goes with me =) And I think that could be a factor in how much he loves me.

[CrazyforCockatiels]

Yikes! I didn't get notification of these posts until the latest.

Sorry, Valo's Moirana. I appreciate your response and wish I would've seen it sooner. Today is the day we drop them off. I've frozen 14 baggies of chopped fresh greens and packed a box of their pellets and seeds, snacks and toys. Also, they will arrive with 12 bottles of Poland Spring water as that's what they drink here at home. I am bringing their favorite CD as well as their perch and, of course, their cage. I am stalling in taking them as I want to spend as much time with them as possible but we'll have to bring them soon as I have so much to do before we leave. I am bringing two pages of instructions, explaining their routines and their natures even. Of course, the vet will get our cell phone numbers and we'll call to check on them throughout our trip. Anyway, thank you for your empathetic response. It helps to know others know what we're going through.

JaneJacinto~ Thank you for your response. We feel more confident with our vet vs. the local bird store. Also, even though the more money something costs doesn't necessarily mean it's better, we feel confident paying more (26 per day) as we feel it ensures the fids will be tended to. We like our vet and know he'll go the extra mile. They even offered to get fresh veggies for the fids at the gourmet market next to their office.

Tinna~ I am so sorry you lost your two birds. It sounds like it must've been a nightmare. As much as we love the fids, it would be inconvenient to take them with us. As much as we'll miss them, we feel they'll be better off at the vet's. The trip might prove to be a bit stressful on them so we feel assured that they'll be tended to and given extra TLC while we're away.