TJ's Window Is Closing - Foster Care Provider Needed - HOUSTON

[FoxersArtist]

As most of you have put together by now, I am going to Houston in just a few short hours where a lot of exciting things should take place.

I have been working with foster umbrella cockatoo TJ for over 6 months now with the hope that TJ would come out of his very shy and depressed shell and learn to love people. TJ has made some progress and will take food from my hand. Sometimes he will sit on my arm if it is wrapped in a towel. I know that if I push TJ hard enough and long enough he will break and I will have his full cooperation. I could be the hero his family expects me to be, and they would be happy too! Unfortunately, you cannot MAKE anyone else experience happiness and the more I push TJ, the more depressed he seems to be. I can tame him but I cannot make him feel happiness around humans. He has poor eating habits, poor grooming habits, is unusually quiet for a cockatoo, and sits like a log on his perch most of the time. He relishes in destroying wood but this has been the only really healthy behavior I have observed in him. TJ wants to be a bird. He wants to be wild. He wants to be left alone. He is not into the love of a human and after much thought and toil, I have come to accept the feeling that TJ should not be a pet, even if that makes me a failure in his owners eyes. On very rare occassions have I had to send a bird to a sanctuary because that is what they wanted, and I always have a sense of guilt - like I could have done better. Still, I think following my heart means listening to the bird, even if the bird wants something that I don't want. I think TJ would be truly happy at a sanctuary with other cockatoos.

Unfortunately, TJ still belongs to his family and they have not released him into our custody. His owner wanted a cuddle bug that would love her unconditionally, but she paid for TJ instead. Now she does not want to lose the monitary value that is wrapped up in TJ. I have been trying to coax her into making a decision for a while now and know that any decision will be a tough one for her, so I respect that she is taking her time. Still - TJ's window is closing on a couple of really good sanctuaries in Houston - the only places I feel comfortable sending our fosters. I am waiting for a call back from TJ's mom to give the final word. I am sad to know that money will be a deciding factor for TJ's future.

If TJ's mom agrees to release him, we need someone in the Houston area to foster him for 2-4 weeks until a place can be made for him at the sanctuary. TJ has been vetted and has been under observation for the last 6-7 months with our rescue. His chances of carrying a contageous illness are very low, though he was put on antibiotics earlier in the year for a bacterial infection that was causing him to lose weight. We need someone with an extra cage and a warm heart to look after TJ until he can fly free with his own kind - with the cooperation of his owner, of course.

Please let me know if you are interested in fostering TJ. This decision is urgent as I am waiting to hear back from TJ's family within the hour.
-Anna

[asulli]

Anna, I would think that the owner would be grateful for what you have tried to do. Obviously, the owners were not able to achieve either. Please do not beat yourself up about this. Look at all of your achievements. Unfortunetly, life is not about 100% right?

I have an extra cage -- not huge -- I can get you the dimensions but I would be willing to lend it out if there is someone out here that can foster TJ. What is the criteria to foster. I might know a couple of people.

[FoxersArtist]

Requirements include good communication skills, at least several references, some experience with bird husbandry/safety, a home visit prior to foster, Working no more than 50 hrs/wk, Willing to pay for pelleted food for duration of foster, Reliable transportation, & somewhat flexible schedule.

Thanks for offering your cage Asulli. Maybe someone will take you up on that.
-Anna

Originally Posted by asulli

Anna, I would think that the owner would be grateful for what you have tried to do. Obviously, the owners were not able to achieve either. Please do not beat yourself up about this. Look at all of your achievements. Unfortunetly, life is not about 100% right?

I have an extra cage -- not huge -- I can get you the dimensions but I would be willing to lend it out if there is someone out here that can foster TJ. What is the criteria to foster. I might know a couple of people.