Conflicted and need advice.

[brainfogbetty]

For several months now, I have been taking care of an amazon parrot that belongs to a friend of mine.

When she asked if I would take care of him, she brought him over in a cat carrier and handed me a bag of seeds with about 3 handfuls and said, " That should last a couple of weeks." (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

I had previously been to her house only 1 time, and saw that the parrot was in a cage that was about 18 X18 square, one perch, no toys, and the bird had no room to open it's wings, or do much of anything but sit on one perch.

So when she asked if I could take care of him, I jumped at the chance. I had just bought a new larger cage for my cockatiels (40hx 36wx 25) so I switched them back to their old cage and used the new one for the parrot. I hung toys and a swing, etc. I got him eating all kinds of foods and he loves 'people' food and I give him Zupreem natural pellets. I do put a sm. dish of seed in the cage, but he barely touches it now.

I take him out of his cage abt. 2 hours every day and I finally got him interested in toys.
I try not to be judgemental, but I'm really hoping she doesn't come back for him, but eventually, I think she will. I'd hate for him to go back to that old life.

I know she is having serious financial trouble and doesn't have a cage at all for him now. She says she'll come back for him when she gets a cage.

I'm thinking of offering her cash for the bird. Don't think she can afford a new cage, and am afraid if she does get one, it will be teeny, tiny and he'll be back to starving on a handful of seed every week.

What would be a fair price to offer someone in dire straights for this bird? I have no idea how old it is, or what sex it is. Not that I care, but I am hoping the cash will appeal more to her at this point in time.

This is the sweetest bird and I've fallen for him. I just want him to have a good home, and he won't with her.

I sure could use some advice.

Betty

PS. How do I make the width of this post smaller? Sentences are too long and run across the page.

 

[jenphilly]

This may sound wrong, but she has left him with you, not provided a proper cage and not supplying his food? So you are essentially boarding him and she should be paying you. So, in that line of logic, she should give you the bird.... but, if you think she would hesitate, then offer her $100. If she is in dire straights for money and its not a burden to you... you have already invested in the bird for proper food, toys, perches, etc.

And even tho this is someone you know, write up a quick adoption / transfer of ownership paperwork so in a couple months she does not try to take the bird back or cause you any heartache...

I am very happy the bird found you and is happy and doing well!

Good luck!!!

 

[RavensGryf]

As I was reading this, I said to myself this Amazon is going to end up being HER bird

As far as a price maybe others would know better what to tell you. IMO it really depends on the friendship, and particulars of the situation. Do you think there will be a chance that if she comes back for him, that she will insist she wants him back? I hope not. Crossing fingers for you here!

Three handfuls of seed?! ...and that it would last a couple weeks??!! Sad. I'm glad he responded to the better new diet.

About the text seeming like it's going long across the screen, I don't know the technical reasons, but it is on your end. It shows fine and normal sized here. I know what you mean though, sometimes it does that to me if I use a certain computer. I'm sure someone here will know.

 

[labell]

What a sad story that I really hope has a happy ending, as in this bird staying with you! I would offer between 100.00 to 200.00 that will seem like a windfall to this person in all likelihood. You should get a bill of sale though even between friends.

 

[getwozzy]

First of all- THANK YOU for taking in that poor lil guy!! What's his name? Can you post pictures of him?

Jen took the words right out of my mouth- you have already provided a cage, a proper diet, toys, etc...AND you've been doing it all at your own expense! Right now she's the one who is indebted to YOU! I say if you're going to ask her if you can fully adopt him, money talks- especially when people are desperate...I agree $100-200 is more than enough at this point. And there's no way in a whale's fart she's going to get "retail" for him!

Whatever you two work out though, definitely get it in writing...and signed! That way she can't try to pull a fast one on you.

 

[brainfogbetty]

Thanks guys. Before I posted this, I had the thought of starting at $250 and work my way up to 5 if need be. But now I'll start at $100 and see how that goes.

I hope she never finds this forum or reads this post...As far as a friendship goes, it's been one sided since the beginning, if ya know what I mean. I've
been trying hard to avoid contact this past year and hoping to break the ties.
Ever have someone you kind of dislike glom onto you and push themselves into your life? I thought I was in the clear until she caught me off guard and then asked me about the bird.

I hope she goes for it and I will get a bill of sale to protect myself.

Betty.

 

[getwozzy]

Ugh- I know those types of people too well, unfortunately

I would say $500 is the highest ransom I'd pay for him....

I hope things go well!! Keep us updated

 

[jenphilly]

I would start with reminding her that you've been caring for her bird and helping to relieve her of the burden of paying for his costs.... then tell her you believe its in his best interest to stay with you and you would be happy to offer her $100... then see how it goes. Tho from the sound of it, I doubt reminding her that you've taken on her responsibility will do much for this person...

 

[hacatta]

i hope you will be able to get him,it shouldn't be legal for people like that to own any animal at all.
To think of how long the poor thing has been starving.
I wouldn't be above to quilt tripping her into it.
Else just say he is sick and needs a vet visit,then tell her how much it cost.
If she is that in dept,she will be trowing the bird at you.
I know i may sound a bit extreme,but i honesty have no respect for those people.

 

[MonicaMc]

I'm using Google Chrome and your message appears fine to me.

Are you on a phone or something that is causing difficulties reading posts?



As far as the bird, I would honestly express interest in keeping him but not mention anything about paying for him. Maybe you'll be lucky and not have to pay for him. Has the owner even seen how he's living like now?

If the owner is willing to give him up, but not without some cash, try and feel for how much they are looking to get.




I had a somewhat similar situation with a cockatiel in that I took her and nursed her back to health, got her eating healthier food and into larger cages. The people who had found her (not that they ever tried to find her first[?] owner) didn't really care too much about her because she was "too noisy" and nearly starved her to death (near 50% underweight - simply "forgot" to feed her), so they were fine with me keeping her. If they had wanted to take her back, I don't think I could have done it. Eight years later, she's still with me, at a healthy weight and doing fine!

 

[henpecked]

Ask her for money to take care of him, take him to the vet,etc.If it's her bird she should be helping to take care of him(buying food,toys,vet,etc) specially if your the one caring for her bird.(your time and effort should be worth something) Talk about your worries of spending money on him and her taking him back on a whim. If he's been with you for a year ,then she doesn't really want him back. The burden of proof is on her to prove it's her bird and that she didn't give it to you. She have any witnesses? Any thing in writing? Is the bird banded? tell her it died after you spent 1,000 $ at the vets. We who have amazons as pets would never consider doing things the way she does, she doesn't deserve him. Just my .02 worth, the heck with her. Of course i've only heard your side of the story.