A little confused and annoyed.

[Beako_N_Kiwi]

Hi Guys,

So I am in a bit of a pickle. I totally support rescues! I know they typically don't have much money, but help medically where they can. There is a bird we are going to be bringing in on Saturday, a 28 year old YNA that is PLUCKED. It's owner died of cancer, and it's current foster home is unstable, and it needs to be out of there. I told the rescue I would take in the bird if we can do a full vet check to make sure it doesn't have something contagious or serious going on (especially since it has plucked, just in case). They agreed it would be a good idea especially because of the plucking, yet they said when I take the bird in to the vet, I should make a donation to offset the costs of the vet bill, and when I asked for clarity, they basically said to pay the full vet bill. I find that very strange that they don't want to pay the *DISCOUNTED* rate, as we will be paying for its food, giving it love, and shelter. I am a little upset with this. What do you guys feel about this? Also, the cage the bird comes with is a dome top and she could get her head stuck, so we already bought a new cage out of our own pocket. Thoughts?

 

[IcyWolf]

Are you going to have to pay an adoption fee on top of the vet bill? If you have to pay an adoption fee then I think it should be a given that the bird will have seen a vet before it is adopted out, if they are waiving the fee then I can kind of understand them wanting you to pay for the vet.

 

[Beako_N_Kiwi]

We haven't even got to that point yet! So far we haven't even met the bird, so we are considering ourselves a "foster home" but I think if she's anything like she was described to us, we would want to keep her. I agree with you! Wish they could be more clear =/

 

[IcyWolf]

And what would happen if you pay for the vet visit and it turns out he does have something that would prevent you from bringing him home? Would you then be out the several hundred dollars you just spent getting him vetted? I hate situations like this because it puts you, the adopter, in a compromising position, I can understand why you don't want to come right out an ask them but I don't really see another way around it. Tell them that you are seriously interested in adopting but you need to know what their policies are and what all it's going to cost you, be sure to explain that you have plenty of parrot experience and that you have already purchased a new cage and won't need the one he is currently living in.

 

[Sulphiria]

I wouldnt bring the bird home until hes had a full vet check, including blood work because there are things he can give your birds that he can be a carrier for. If they want you to pay for it, only being a foster home, I think thats a bit fishy, especially if they charge adoption fees as well.

 

[oled]

Rescues should not do an adoption without knowing that it is a helthy animal. Doset matter if it is a dog or a bird, and for sure a lot of recuecenters have voletiers vet doing the check witout cost.

 

[Beako_N_Kiwi]

Thank you. I totally agree with you that animals should not be adopted out until they have had a full vet check and are healthy. Unfortunately I was charged full price for Kiwi when she ended up being sick after all - so I paid the full adoption fee, plus the vet bills once I had her home. It was unfair. Now it's getting fishy to me too. Thanks for relating to me, I also felt like it was strange. I think I need to be upfront with them. My boyfriend really wants this bird.

 

[oled]

Thank you. I totally agree with you that animals should not be adopted out until they have had a full vet check and are healthy. Unfortunately I was charged full price for Kiwi when she ended up being sick after all - so I paid the full adoption fee, plus the vet bills once I had her home. It was unfair. Now it's getting fishy to me too. Thanks for relating to me, I also felt like it was strange. I think I need to be upfront with them. My boyfriend really wants this bird.

Yes when it comes to animal we go by the heart, not the brain, but use it anyway

 

[MikeyTN]

This is part of the reason why I don't support most rescues! And then on top of that, the adoption fee they charge is the price you pay for a baby bird from a breeder. What does that accomplish?

 

[henpecked]

I'm not quite sure but is sounds as if the Rescue is never really taking possession of the bird. If your the one taking possession and the rescue doesn't have any say in what happens , then maybe you should foot the bill. If your fostering for the rescue then they should foot the bill, you should be taking it to THEIR vet at their rates. What happens if the bird is sick and needs tons of vet visits? It sounds like you are the responsible party and not the rescue. Maybe clarify who the bird belongs to and how involved does the rescue want to be? Sounds like a bad situation that the rescue would like to wash their hands of.They should at least be helping you, the bird should be back in their possession and them paying all the bills.Who 's picking the bird up from the old fosters? It should be the rescue,and you foster it from them. If you want to help,that's great,but it sounds like their responsibility.On the other hand if you pick up the bird ,then it's on you and tell the rescue not to worry about it anymore. The people i know who foster birds carry them to the rescue's vet and the vet bills the rescue.

 

[Violet]

I'm not quite sure but is sounds as if the Rescue is never really taking possession of the bird.

This.

The issue here is that if there is a health problem that means you can't take her home or keep her, or even if she is healthy but you take her home and it doesn't work out, you have invested emotionally AND financially for a bird that isn't yours. You should only be footing the bills if she is yours, they should not require you to pay for her vet visits if there is a possibility you won't be keeping her. What you don't want is to have paid for everything for this bird, and then if something doesn't work out, you have no control over what happens to her (because of your 'foster' status) or who she gets adopted to. You should only be paying for a bird that you own and have control over, because if you don't you could be setting yourself up for an empty wallet and a lot of heartache.

The rescue wants to have their cake and eat it too, which is not fair to you guys. Either the adoption is official and you pay, or they pay and keep her within the rescue's control.

If I were in your shoes, I would ask for clarification. Don't let them give you vague answers, be firm (but polite) and ask for the answers you need to make an educated decision. A vet visit with blood work is going to cost you a lot, so don't let yourself get talked into something for nothing. While I hope that this girl works out for you, be cautious and take measures to ensure that if she doesn't, you won't be out a lot of money for a bird that is not yours or one that you feel obliged to keep but isn't the right match for you.

 

[mtdoramike]

Some times in life you either have to fish or cut bait. This is one of those times that you should cut bait. If that analogy escapes you, what I'm saying is: Walk away!

 

[Sulphiria]

Thank you. I totally agree with you that animals should not be adopted out until they have had a full vet check and are healthy. Unfortunately I was charged full price for Kiwi when she ended up being sick after all - so I paid the full adoption fee, plus the vet bills once I had her home. It was unfair. Now it's getting fishy to me too. Thanks for relating to me, I also felt like it was strange. I think I need to be upfront with them. My boyfriend really wants this bird.

Is this the same rescue you got Kiwi from?

 

[lizardsmells]

Unfortunately, anyone can call themselves a rescue, but a reputable rescue will foot the vet bills and not charge a small fortune in adoption fees. The rescue I got Kazi from doesn't charge their volunteers any adoption fees and in fact, if you want to adopt a bird from the rescue, you have to volunteer first. They also provide cages, toys, carriers, anything the bird needs, at no charge. All their funding comes from donations, tourist and group events.

I'd be in a hard spot in your place! I'd want to take the poor thing no matter what, but it'd be a hard decision to make in any case because what I want and what's pragmatic are often two different things when it comes to rescue animals!

 

[Beako_N_Kiwi]

Hi Guys, so I got some clarification, and it turns out that she WILL be coming home tomorrow! They told me that: They will cover the exam and the blood work if the vet recommends it. (I'm certain my vet will recommend it, especially since we just got done treating my other birds). If the vet doesn't recommend it, and I still request it, the vet will bill the rescue, and the rescue will get in touch with my to cover whatever they were billed. I'm 99% sure my vet will recommend blood work to make sure the bird is healthy.

Yes, this is the rescue I got Kiwi from. They are all volunteers, sometimes communication isn't clear. There are different tiers in the organization and sometimes it's hard to get a clear understanding of what's going on. I don't want to judge them, because what they do is very much needed in my area, but yeah, I wish all the birds could get a thorough health exam before being adopted out. It was unfortunate Kiwi and Beako were sick when I got them and wasn't expecting that.

Thank you all for your comments. On a positive note - I'll share pictures tomorrow!!!

 

[Sulphiria]

That doesnt sound like a very well run rescue. Volunteers shouldnt be giving information if it is incorrect, it goes to show a lack of communication. That lack of communication is going to eventually lead to bigger problems. What happens when someone accepts a rescue who has PPD or something similar and the animal isnt checked or quarantined and they send that pet out to a home with 5 other birds who are all now exposed? Just seems like a bad preventable accident waiting to happen, sadly. I personally would never foster or adopt from there. I would rather drive hours away to one that is better run and organized. Just my 2 cents.

 

[mtdoramike]

FANTASTIC! I'm glad they came around. here in central Florida, we have Forida parrot Rescue and they cover all expenses when new birds come into the rescue. Also even if you foster for them, they cover vet bills and supply a cage.

 

[mels2kool65]

Some vets will give you a discount if they know you are working with a rescue.

 

[Martha]

I don't work with bird rescue but I work with local cat and dog rescue, and an animal is NEVER adopted out to a family without a vet check or any procedures done. And if the animal has issues (like a dog that needs serious obedience training) that is taken care of as well, sometimes by fosters but donors always pay for those services. The nearest bird rescue has birds fully vetted and if very expensive care is needed they let people who support the rescue know (on FB for example) and ask for donations to raise the money. For example, Feathered Rescue has an Amazon that needs to travel from PA to OH to get a special procedure done to remove an air pocket on his neck that keeps filling up. I gave $ as did many supporters and now there is enough $ to travel and do the procedure (I think that a volunteer is transporting the bird). It is unethical to adopt out an animal without a vet check. It is dangerous. Suppose a cat has panleukopenia or a dog has parvo? That animal can infect any other of its species with a potentially fatal disease. Definitely something up with this rescue. I'd ask them to clarify procedures and would probably put them in touch with other rescues to teach them proper procedures. Or possibly report them to animal cruelty officers. We have done that with "rescues" that turned out to be money-making outfits or hoarders. They might get angry but it's a small price to pay to keep animals healthy and safe.

 

[Kiwibird]

We adopted our blue front directly from his prior owner (the shelter we were working with had gotten a call from her wanting to give him up, and they knew we wanted an amazon so they contacted us before she even brought him in). We expected to think overnight, but after seeing his situation first hand, we couldn't get him out of there fast enough! When we took him in, we understood he was OUR responsibility from that point forward. That meant cage, supplies, that initial vet checkup (which turned up a respiratory infection that needed treatment), as well as the many challenges that come with a neglected, unsocialized, sexually mature bird.

You have to understand that the shelter has many other birds who are NOT going to a loving home right now, and need their limited resources for their long term care. If your adopting a parrot, it's your responsibility to get it the care it needs, and with adoptees, that included the initial vet visit, and any tests or medications. It's not right to expect the already overcrowded and underfunded shelter to cover those costs. It concerns me that you are adopting a parrot you seemingly cannot afford. They are expensive in general, let alone when they need medical attention. It's something you accept when you bring one into your home. I mean, if you were adopting a child, would you expect the agency to pay for a visit to the pediatrician? No, why would you expect a free vet visit when adopting an animal?