A really hard decision... Please Help.

gingerr

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Jul 10, 2018
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I was 7 when I first got Ginger. We got her as a family pet but within months she was in my room because I bonded quite closely to her in the short period of time. Fast forward several years and she has gathered quite a story (including flying away and having to recapture her), but also quite some injuries. Ginger has trouble walking as one foot has been broken and couldn't be repaired with surgery. She can no longer fly anymore either because she flew into the wall when the doorbell rang. She still gets around her cage just fine. By the touch Ginger has never shown signs of her injuries getting worse or being in pain, in fact, she even lets me touch her feet even the one that is broken. Rarely she will fall from her perch and her quality of life scares me at times, yet when she is with me she is just so lively, active, talkative, and happy. I've always seen her so strong because despite her injuries she can always cheer me up with her beautiful personality. Being pet is basically the best thing in the world to her she even fell asleep one time doing so!:orange:

But college is slowly creeping up soon (August 28th). My parents will not give her the quality of life I hope for her as she will probably be stuck in my room not giving her the attention she needs.

Ginger is about 12 now. She has never shown signs of any serious disease or illness and I believe that she has many more years to live despite her set backs. That being said, I lived with her for many years and I do not want to be selfish to keep her alive even though her injuries do prevent her from flying, spreading her wings, and sometimes just sitting on her perch.

I believe I have 2 options:

Euthanize

or

Give away to a trusted individual by conducting interviews to make sure they can give her the proper special care needed due to her setbacks and the quality of life I would hope for.

I felt like I really needed a larger community to help me make this decision to assess Gingers quality of life and her future. I leave for college August 28th.

If you have any questions please let me know!
 

Owlet

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Oct 27, 2016
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Euthanasia is not an option as far as I'm concerned. Was the broken leg never treated? Even with a splint?

Look into your college pet rules, you might be surprised and able to bring her. If not, will your parents not take care of her? She WAS bought as a family pet.

And you don't really give us much information about her life other than injuries. You'd be surprised at the amount of people in this forum that have special needs birds. It's not uncommon and said birds can be given amazing quality of life with the right care. How big is her cage, what is her toy situation like? Food? Out of cage time? What kind of bird even IS she?
 

MonicaMc

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Sep 12, 2012
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Option 2 without a doubt, and everyone on this forum and almost everywhere else will agree!

My first conure couldn't fly and was going blind. He, too, would sometimes fall from his perches and he had seizures. (health issues from being attacked by a ferret and who knows what else)

My second conure requires beak trims for the rest of his life. His injury was when he was 12 years old. (before I got him) He's 24 now. He could potentially live for another 20 years!


If you don't feel like your parents would care for her, and there's no way you can take her with you (can't get an apartment off compass, they don't allow pets, period, etc), then find someone you could trust with her as a temporary situation or long term.
 

Scott

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RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Welcome to the forums! Euthanasia is IMO not remotely a consideratin, and you've done a great job advocating for option 2. As previously stated, it *may* be possible to take Ginger to college, though the bar is typically very high and you'd have to curtail many typical activities to give her good quality of life.

You have about 6 weeks to further assess and find a good home, if feasible. Good luck, please let us know what you arrange!
 

Skittys_Daddy

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Jan 6, 2014
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Budgie - "Sandy"
(1987-1989) R.I.P.
I agree with others, euthanasia is not an appropriate option in this circumstance.

I believe that euthanasia should only be considered when the quality of life is extremely poor due to age, non-treatable illness or irreparable injury (that results in constant or significant pain).

While sometimes it IS more humane to euthanize, it shouldn't be done for human convenience, but rather because quality of life is beyond saving.

Even blind, deaf, wing-amputated and feet amputated parrots can have a good quality of life. Just look at Helen Keller. She was blind, deaf and mute and she accomplished more in her life than a lot of people with all five senses. Of course those people likely were missing certain cogs in the neuro system. Its whether the owner wants to put in the effort, or in all fairness, is able too. Not everyone is equipped or capable of raising a special needs companion (or child for that matter).


So, I would look into finding someone who is willing and capable to meet Ginger's needs. Just be extra diligent in your interviews and do follow-ups. This is of course if you can't bring her to college. But the key is, will you still have time for Ginger while in college and is it the best place for her.
 
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EllenD

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I'll just add my vote to the rest...Euthanizing her should not even be a thought right now...I know this is difficult for you, but if your parents truly won't give her daily attention and you cannot take her to college with you, then you need to start looking for a responsible, caring, loving home for her to go to, either temporary or permanent...It's not fair to Ginger at all to leave her in a cage all day long, that isn't fair to any bird regardless of their disabilities, but Euthanizing her isn't fair either...you don't mention her species of Conure, but they can live into thei 40's and beyond, so at 12 years old she's still very young...
 

GaleriaGila

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I'm so glad you're talking with us.

Ginger sounds absolutely precious.

I got my bird in college, and I'm now retired. You can imagine the transitions and tribulations we've both endured. There were times of desperation, but I found a way to stick it out, and I'm so glad I did.

The very fact that you came here tells me that you love Ginger enough to find a way for her to live.

Good points and questions above. I think you can see how much we care, and how much we want to support you as you find a solution.
 

Kiwibird

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Jul 12, 2012
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Where do you live? We may have a member on the forum who'd be willing to take her if you're left with no better options for keeping her in your family. Or we may be able to point you in the direction of a nearby avian shelter who could take her and let professionals be responsible for rehoming her, taking some of the pressure off you in finding her a suitable home. You could also consider finding an off campus apartment that would allow a small bird or see if a responsible relative would take over her care for the time you're in college or maybe just your first year in college until you can take her back.

Whatever your choice, PLEASE DO NOT EUTHANIZE! Putting an animal out of it's misery should be reserved ONLY for animals who are majorly suffering and close to the end anyways. It's not a solution for young animals with minor disabilities who are otherwise healthy and happy, as this bird sounds to be. 12 is young for a parrot and it sounds like she would adapt just fine to a new home. Lots of people have a special place in their heart for special needs animals, so I doubt you'll find it an impossible or even difficult task to find her a loving, supportive home.
 

Kiwibird

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ge, and I'm now retired. You can imagine the transitions and tribulations we've both endured. There were times of desperation, but I found a way to stick it out, and I'm so glad I did.

Haven't had my bird *quite* as long as Gail;) but I too got my bird when I was on the younger side (I was 19) and while it wasn't always been easy having him or making the time for him as a young adult, I truly couldn't imagine the past 10 years without him! He can be a pain, a time drain, and it was harder to find apartments that would allow him when I was a renter, but at the end of the day, the amount of joy he's brought to my life more than makes up for the trouble he's caused me. While rehoming is FAR preferable to killing your bird, keeping her is an option too. A more difficult choice, for sure, but sill a viable option and truthfully, likely the most ideal solution for the bird. Once they bond, it's really hard on them to passed along to a new home, but again, rehoming is preferable to death as they will eventually adapt and bond to someone else.
 

EllenD

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Just to make another point, it may be possible to find someone who is willing to "Foster" you Conure while you're away in college...This is a much more difficult thing to find, but it's not impossible either. There are private people, rescues, shelters, etc. that do this, it's just a matter of finding someone in-time for you to leave...That's a better option that leaving him with your parents if they aren't going to pay him any attention and just leave him in his cage all the time...Depending on where you live, we may be able to help you out...
 

itzjbean

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I'm assuming she was given medical attention after all these accidents and has been seen by a certified avian vet! If not, she should really see one. Even without surgery, a foot can be splinted and heal. Did she see a vet after crashing into the wall and losing her ability to fly?

Please don't euthanize her -- she still has many more years of her life left and can and deserves a long life. Where are you located? We may have members close to you that may be able to take Ginger in at least for the meantime.
 

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