The Green Demon
Member
- Aug 9, 2025
- 46
- 96
- Parrots
- Peach faced lovebird
Hello everyone,
I am struggling with finding bird care for my lovebird, even for short periods of time. I wonder if I am being too cautious, over-thinking it all. I worry a great deal even about leaving her for any extended periods through the day.
She is a lone bird. It has just been her and I for the last five years. When I decided to take her on, I was in a relationship and it wasn't an issue as there were two of us. Now it is just me.
I have family in Canada. A new grandchild who I managed to get over to visit last March/April. I desperately wanted to meet him and had booked flights to go, but despite trying every avenue, even signing up to an online house sitter site (which cost a lot of money) I was only two days away from my flight and I still didn't have a solution. Luckily enough I found a person who was willing to stay at my house due to her own personal circumstances of needing somewhere to stay. It was absolute last minute but it was a win-win situation in the end. And she did a great job of taking care of my girl, following a very similar routine and kept me up to date with photos etc.
I now have flights booked again for this year. Unfortunately the girl I used last year isn't available. And anyone else I have asked, said they can help out for a night or two but that's it. I don't know whether I should try the house sitter site again. I might be able piece together two weeks of different people visiting (friends, neighbours), popping in at different times of the day or evening. Not everyone will be able to let her out to free fly. There will be at least five different people and faces for her to deal with. But this means she can stay at home.
Or I speak to the breeder I bought her from who does boarding but this makes me nervous. Salvador has never been away from home. She took a long time to settle even after being at the vets for only three days. We had separation anxiety and a huge feather moult following that. And the vet advised against boarding. Said that the potential for disease and illness due to stress is very high in a lovebird.
I guess what I am asking is some advice. What solutions do other people have when they need to go away? Which of the scenarios above sounds like the best one for her wellness?
I feel guilty and unwell just at the thought of leaving her. I have realised I am probably too attached ( a lot of people tell me this). And my grandbaby is only going to turn one once, right? I want to do right by my little Salvador but I also can't keep avoiding situations where I need to travel or spend time with family because of my bird. It has even crossed my mind to rehome her, but I don't know if that is something I can do. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you.
I am struggling with finding bird care for my lovebird, even for short periods of time. I wonder if I am being too cautious, over-thinking it all. I worry a great deal even about leaving her for any extended periods through the day.
She is a lone bird. It has just been her and I for the last five years. When I decided to take her on, I was in a relationship and it wasn't an issue as there were two of us. Now it is just me.
I have family in Canada. A new grandchild who I managed to get over to visit last March/April. I desperately wanted to meet him and had booked flights to go, but despite trying every avenue, even signing up to an online house sitter site (which cost a lot of money) I was only two days away from my flight and I still didn't have a solution. Luckily enough I found a person who was willing to stay at my house due to her own personal circumstances of needing somewhere to stay. It was absolute last minute but it was a win-win situation in the end. And she did a great job of taking care of my girl, following a very similar routine and kept me up to date with photos etc.
I now have flights booked again for this year. Unfortunately the girl I used last year isn't available. And anyone else I have asked, said they can help out for a night or two but that's it. I don't know whether I should try the house sitter site again. I might be able piece together two weeks of different people visiting (friends, neighbours), popping in at different times of the day or evening. Not everyone will be able to let her out to free fly. There will be at least five different people and faces for her to deal with. But this means she can stay at home.
Or I speak to the breeder I bought her from who does boarding but this makes me nervous. Salvador has never been away from home. She took a long time to settle even after being at the vets for only three days. We had separation anxiety and a huge feather moult following that. And the vet advised against boarding. Said that the potential for disease and illness due to stress is very high in a lovebird.
I guess what I am asking is some advice. What solutions do other people have when they need to go away? Which of the scenarios above sounds like the best one for her wellness?
I feel guilty and unwell just at the thought of leaving her. I have realised I am probably too attached ( a lot of people tell me this). And my grandbaby is only going to turn one once, right? I want to do right by my little Salvador but I also can't keep avoiding situations where I need to travel or spend time with family because of my bird. It has even crossed my mind to rehome her, but I don't know if that is something I can do. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you.
