Beware of "Rescue"

[Melody]

Thank you for this post. You can't see me giving you a standing ovation here, but I am! I've encountered so much of what you described since I decided I wanted to get a bird that had, for whatever reason, lost it's home. Every animal my kids had growing up was something that someone had grown tired of. But these days a "rescue" can seem like a used car salesman! I'm glad I'm not the only one who's seen this.

 

[SailBoat]

No, I'm not following you...

Note, if you have an ax to grind, why not start a new Thread in the "Off Topic" or the Forum for Rescues?

 

[Nene323]

Good info to know.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I know this is a very old thread,but what Mark stated is spot-on and so very true! It almost happened to me when I needed to find Jonesy a new home but I figured it out real quick and found him a REAL home with people who knew what they were doing and cared for him.

Jim

 

[Inti's woman]

Once again, this started out as a response to another thread, and I was asked to post it as a separate thread:

NOT ALL RESCUES ARE CREATED EQUAL. IN FACT, NOT ALL RESCUES ARE ACTUALLY RESCUES...

Let me tell you about one of the "rescues" I volunteered with for only a few weeks (and trust me that was enough) in NorCal.

First of all, there was no actual "rescue" per se. They made a website, with a bunch of sad sack looking birds, (most of which were downloaded from sites like mytoos) then set up a link for donations, and a number to donate your unwanted bird...

They used "volunteer" labor to do all the bird care, and cleaning of cages, etc. Volunteers were also expected to "donate" toys, food, water, their homes, and their time and training... the birds they care for are Foster birds. The birds, however, belong to the rescue unless the person paying for the toys, food, and spending their time providing care, also paid an "adoption fee" to the rescue. (You had to sign a contract saying that, in order to be allowed the privilege of providing care...)

On paper, these fees go to pay for things like vet care, etc. ONLY THING IS THE PEOPLE WHO VOLUNTEERED TO CARE FOR THESE ANIMALS ENDED UP BEING OUT OF POCKET FOR THESE THINGS. Now mind you all of these birds were "surrendered" parrots. Free birds, with free cages, and often free toys as well.

SO IF THE RESCUE WASN'T PAYING FOR FOOD, OR CAGES, OR VET CARE, OR LABOR, OR RENT, OR REALLY ANYTHING... WHERE DID THE "DONATIONS" AND ADOPTION FEES REALLY GO?!

They went to pay for the guy who "owned" the rescue's (that never existed) house, car payment, utility bills, etc. He didn't actually work. He just drove around meeting people, accepting donations, stroking egos, lining up "volunteers," picking up free parrots... and keeping up appearances. And lining his pockets, and taking credit for the care that was actually performed by other people. Needless to say, I wasn't associated with these guys for more than a few weeks once I figured out what's going on. Well intentioned volunteers helping these people are only "enablers."

I ALSO WORKED WITH LEGITIMATE RESCUES THAT REALLY DID GOOD WORK, AND NEEDED THE DONATIONS AND SUPPORT. THAT WASN'T THIS GUY... AND THAT'S THE THING WITH THESE SCAMMER OUTFITS. THEY TAKE AWAY RESOURCES FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY DOING GOOD AND NEED THE HELP!!! Good rescues still need Fosters, and I fostered for many years (and provided food and toys to many of my fosters.) But legit rescues provide vet care, and legit placement services, and legit bird handling and care classes. NOT IT'S GONNA COST YOU THIS MUCH TO WALK OUTTA HERE WITH A BIRD TODAY. And they taught the people doing the care, how to do it properly BEFORE allowing them to Foster, and made sure they actually did it. There were policies and procedures in place, to insure proper care, and they were followed.

ALWAYS CHECK IT OUT BEFORE WRITING THE CHECK. FIND OUT IF IT'S LEGIT... THAT'S THE LESSON.

When enough people refused to volunteer (i.e. be used and scammed) anymore, this guy suddenly found himself with a house full of birds that no one wanted, no money coming in, and no one but himself to care for them, or pay for food and care. At that point he shut down "the scam" and was forced to surrender "his" birds to a legitimate rescue.. Cuz he sure as hell wasn't gonna pay for anything. IT WAS ALWAYS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. (And at the good rescues, it's all about the welfare of the birds.)

Many other "rescues" out there are nothing more than Hoarders. These are mentally ill people who are taking in anything and everything because they love animals and are deluded into believing that this is their calling in life, but in reality, they have NO resources coming in to actually care for these animals. The animals in that situation go from the frying pan, into the fire... ending up suffering, or dead, or needing to be rescued from the rescue. Visit even one of these places and you'll know! THE STENCH IS UNGODLY!!!

And then there are the FLIPPERS... there is no rescue, they post the bird the next day on Craig's list or take them to the flea market, or second hand bird shops, or what have you, and sell them for a profit. Get as much as you can for free, and see what you can get for it. The welfare of the animal is NOT a real concern, or even, a concern at all. $$$. If these guys are scammers or flippers. Your bird will be taking a trip to "the mill."

IT DOES HAPPEN!!! Lesson there is check it out thoroughly before surrendering your bird!!!

ONCE YOU SIGN YOUR BIRD AWAY, HE'S NO LONGER YOURS. YOU CAN'T GET HIM BACK!!! EVEN IF THEY LIED TO YOU TO GET HIM.

Things happen. Hormonal parrots run amuck. Children come into the world and get attacked. Situations sometimes change from healthy to unhealthy. People die, and no one is able to care for the bird. There are many legitimate reasons where it may be where it is best for both the bird and the people to rehome... and that happens from time to time, especially with toos.

WHEN it happens, THINK BEFORE YOU PLACE...

DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE. DON'T GIVE YOUR BIRD TO A FLIPPER OR A HOARDER.

Overhere in France I found soneone who was homing unwanted birds on a kind of dogital marketplace. After a bit research, he sold very young bred birds. So that guy made money by breeding with adopted birds

 

[SailBoat]

Sadly, that is far too common everywhere as so many want a 'cheap' parrot and to add to the horror are unprepared to care for it! And, the cycle just continues.

 

[GaleriaGila]

What a dilemma... what to do if there is no trusted friend or relative to take your bird if necessary...

My bird is almost 40 years old and I have been looking at local/regional sanctuaries, rescues, and private re-homing possibilities for about ten years, out of an abundance of preparation. Every option has seen an unhappy outcome.
*All rescues/sanctuaries closed their doors within 8-10 years (what happened to the birds??? I couldn't find out).
*All prospective re-homers had complications... serious medical issues, or a houseful of unruly kids, or a recent history of many moves, or an existing flock of 20-plus birds, or advanced age (hey, I'M old; that's why I'm looking around!).
*Reputable-appearing (appearing?) agencies were a thousand miles, or more, away.

Our wonderful avian veterinarian says the Rickeybird could easily live many more years. I have shepherded him faithfully for 39 years, and so..........................
The situation is clear. I need to lived another 40 years, just to be sure.