Bird sitter for Jasper

Hey everyone! Wow its been awhile since I last posted here. Sad news, I lost my job after numerous layoffs at my studio 6 months ago. Good news, I'm starting to get a bunch of interviews again.


So this leads me to Jasper. The past 6 months have been an absolute blessing being able to spend so much time with him. Of course once I head back to work it's going to be a MAJOR adjustment for both of us, but I'm really concerned about him. He had been used to me being gone all day, and now he's used to having me here all the time.


I want to put a flyer up in my apartment building to see about someone helping me with him. Ideally if someone can come in each day to socialize with him a bit (even just talking with him, not taking him out of the cage) would give him some company. I can't afford the company I've used before on occasion ($35/hour) and I'm a bit hesitant about a stranger having access to my apartment but I don't see any other way. What do you think would be a fair price?



Any advice or suggestions would be great. Here's the copy I have so far for the flyer. Thank you!



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Bird Sitter Needed



I am looking for someone who lives in this building (E) who is available Monday to Friday to help with my parrot. My schedule depending, I would need help either in the afternoon or early evening. Female preferred.

I would need you to socialize with him a little bit and give him his dinner (if scheduled for the evening visit). It wouldn't be required that you take him out of his cage, but if you have experience with parrots it would be ideal.

Please contact me below and let me know your experience and what you would charge per day/per week (assuming 30 min visit). Some weeks I might only need a few days. Thank you!

I like the idea of a flyer, but at the same time I would be hesitant about strangers interacting with Jasper also.

Is this a 12 hour shift you'll be away, or a regular 9-5 job? Or maybe you don't know yet. The reason I ask is because there may be more stress involved with having Jasper meet a new person and build a bond and he may become confused. He may also be perfectly capable of adapting to your new work schedule without a new person coming into his life but instead extra time before and after work with you to make up for this time.

And that's also assuming you'll find someone in your building with the proper parrot experience. You never know what they'll do when you aren't there. If they'll let him out without your permission or do something and get bitten and cause behavioral issues to develop, or open the door and let him fly out to freedom, never to be seen again. You just never know. Just be very careful in your search! Do you have any relatives that live nearby??

That's a tough one Katie! I just don't know what to say. I think I'd wait and see what your new job will be like first,then take it from there..


Jim

I wish I lived in building E ��

Thanks for the replies. Assuming one of these interviews leads to an offer, the commute time could be pretty bad. I'd have my 7.5/8 hour work day + 40 min transportation each way.



And one day of the week at least I'd have to go straight to my dance class from work as there wouldn't be time to go home first, and that would tack on another 2 hours from the time I leave work.


Super stressed trying to figure this out, hence why I'm trying to figure out some help. I don't have any family in the province.


My neighbour right beside me might be a first option now that I think of it. Married couple with a young kid. I don't know them very well but enough I would probably trust them more over a random person in the building. I guess I could leave a note on their door and ask.


What's the longest you leave your parrots for?

I would start weaning him off of you. While not ideal there's no reason why he couldnt spend the work day alone. My bird is accustomed to spending every waking moment with us out of here cage and then remaining in her cage for up to days at a time depending on what's going on. She doesn't hold any grudges.

Try slowly spending less time with him and giving him more cage time and see how he reacts.

Yes, I agree for sure. I guess the biggest problem is for days when I know I can't come home straight from work after. There's a few dance classes I do and if this job works out I'd have to go straight to them from work. That'll add another 2+ hours to when I'm not here.


My neighbour never answered my note so I guess I will have to investigate someone in my building. The $35/hour company just isn't feasible every week. Being a single birdie mommy can be hard sometimes.

I would never openly advertise when I would not be at home ... that is just asking for trouble.
(sorry to be a fearmonger, but always: better safe than sorry)

I'm in an apartment building so it's a bit different though

I would start leaving the house for extended periods of time and putting the TV on where he can see it. No need for someone to come into your home to socialize him because what if something bad happens such as: The person mistreats your bird. The person accidentally let's him outside and he flies away. The person uses a bird unsafe product in your home. The person becomes his new favorite person and you're left in the dust. The person and Jasper has an accident and he gets hurt. The person gets bit and reacts to it badly. Even if the person is told to never touch your bird...they might decide that they want to touch your bird and instead something bad happens.

I would NEVER EVER let a random person into my home that I didn't already know for years to "keep my bird company". Your bird will adjust and be fine.