Adoption policy question

[Salsa]

I am just looking for opinions from everyone. I am a firm believer in rehoming rather that purchasing a "new" bird in most situations. That being said, I am looking to add a B&G to my home. I have looked into the Gabriel foundation since they are close to me and I like all they stand for and do for the birds. I really appreciate it. My issue comes with their adoption policy. The only thing I have a problem with is that if you adopt one of their birds and at ANY point can't or don't want to give it a home anymore, you MUST return it to the foundation. I understand what they are trying to do and I appreciate it, but I have one problem with that... My husband and I would like to have kids eventually. What if my kids grow up with those birds and my kid bonds with one of the birds and eventually when they grow up want to take the bird with them. According to the adoption policy that can't happen, the bird would have to stay with me or go back to the foundation. I don't know I would think that is fair for the bird or the kid. If they are bonded and have grown up together would it not be better for the bird to go with my kid? I know there are a lot of things to consider like the ability of my kid to care for the bird and so forth, and that would be taken into consideration. I am just thinking that when I take on a bird, I want to give it a forever home and if that means that when I have kids IF they end up bonding really well with one of the birds and want to take it with them when they are on their own, it seems reasonable to me to think that I would want that to happen. Not that it would be that easy for me, but would be best for the bird, knowing it wouldn't be torn from it's home and flock and that it would be with a youngster (my kid) who could theoretically keep it through the duration of its life.

Am I making sense? In any other situation I don't have an issue with the idea of relinquishing them back to the foundation. It is just the possibility of this one scenario that makes me hesitant to go see the birds and begin the adoption process. Perhaps somebody out there has worked with the Gabriel Foundation and might be able to give me a little more insight into this. I would like peoples opinions on this matter as well.

[jenseits]

That is very standard language you'll find at most, if not all, shelters. They need to ensure that you don't try to sell the bird or off-load it on people who don't know how to take care of it. I'm pretty sure they don't actually want the bird back if he already has a home with your kids.

I signed a contract with the same language when I adopted Stewie and that's basically what they said between the lines.

[Valo's Moirana]

having adopted nino from TGF i'm very familiar with their policies. i see your point, but i also see TGF's motivation for this policy. let's face it - if your kids grow up with you and the birds, and they feel strongly for the bird, they'd be willing to take the required online class and fill out some paperwork. and then, i don't see any issue why your kids shouldn't be able to give the bird a home and become the primary care taker. TGF is not trying to get the bird back (as we know, they have way too many to care for already), they're trying to make sure that the bird doesn't end up in a home where people don't know what they're doing. as long as your kids fulfill the adoption requirements, i wouldn't see a problem with the transfer

[Salsa]

I appreciate the input. I know they have good birds there I just don't want to regret the decision based on crazy logistics.

[ROYJOY]

i think, in a long term situation like that, they could bend the rules a little since the bird is family, and is actualy staying in the family, but moving. what if your whole family moves, to a different home. do you have to give the bird back then? im sure it would be alright, if your kids show them they are responsible, as bee mentioned.

[Salsa]

Good point Royjoy. I just want to do the responsible thing for my fids and my kids. I have always been very particular about making sure that any of my critters have a forever home and have gone to great lengths to ensure that is done. I just want to ensure the same for my fids (seeing as how most of them could very well outlive me). The only exception I have ever had to that was my farm livestock (calves and sheep) that was raised for the purpose of resale. It was business not pets.

[Valo's Moirana]

2 things come to my mind....

1) *digs through paper on desk*..... here's a quote that might interest you: ..."Responsible Individual shall not sell, lease, loan, gift, devise or transfer the Bird in any way ... without the express prior written approval of The Foundation".... so, the key point here for me would be that you cannot give the bird to your kids without the approval. now, if your kids care about the bird and know how to take care of it, i wouldn't see a reason why TGF wouldn't grant you that approval

2) I remember seeing a video of a woman adopting an amazon from TGF, and she clearly said in the video that "it's important for her that her son bonds with the bird as he'll eventually be the main caretaker". given that that video was an information video by TGF, i highly doubt that there are huge obstacles of your kids ultimately being main caregivers in the years to come.

[Salsa]

Valo's Moirana - Thank you so much for the input!! That puts my mind a lot more at ease!! I know myself well enough to know that if I dove in without looking at the logistics first that I would eat myself up inside if I found a B&G that wanted to come home with me and then tried to deal with the other. Perhaps I will just go ahead an make an appointment to go visit this Friday or next after I get off of my volunteer shift at the Downtown Aquarium since I will be down that way. Perhaps it is finally time to start the adoption process and find my next fid.

[Heaven]

In our case, we have the stipulation in the contract BUT we do allow immediate family to be first choice in re-adoption. That being said, the family does not have to return the Parrot to us but will have to fill out the adoption forms and allow for us to view the feather in the new home. This way the feather does not get lost from the rescue.

We understand that growing up with a feather makes them family and would never take a bird out of a wonderful and loving home. We would never take that kind of bond away and I'm sure if you mention this, they will be sure to clarify their terms for you.

Good Luck and we commend you for adopting.