Rescues Goals are appropriate as those that show-up will tell them near anything to get a bird cheap! We have always provided the number of our Avian Vet and stated, please call them for a reference, etc. We rarely make it home without receiving an approval. But I am also well-known in the local Avian Community and commonly sought-out when they are looking to place an Amazon as we had commonly taken on the most needy.
Remember that other than a document that you completed, they really have no way to confirm everything. And the extended time is simply attempting to verify that the Parrot likes being around you and you are dedicated to the Parrot. I see meeting their requirements as a honor. But, that is just me.
The Hatch Certificate is not yet a formal document, but every above board Breed knows what it is and are willing to provide a document that includes the species of the Parents, the contact information for the Breeder, the date of hatch. The document is to be a living document that stays with the Amazon and as it is sold to a Pet Store (etc.) their information is added to the contact information for that Amazon. If they refuse, run!
Oh I absolutely understand why rescues do what they do, why they require certain verifiable information. As I said, I've had rescue dogs and cats for all of my adult life. I've been screened and evaluated by the best. So I get it. I've never been offended or off put by any of it. "Bring it on - let's get through it and get that beast outta jail and home!", has been my attitude. The most protracted of the adoptions probably took 2 - 3 weeks.
Parrot rescue seems to be a completely different animal, pardon the pun, lol.
It is a wonderful thing when your reputation proceeds you, I enjoy that in several places in my life.
So what to do when your heart is in the right place, (wanting to adopt a bird who has lost it's home), you already own thousands of $ in "gear" (cages, perches, toys, etc.), you have the skill, experience and, probably biggest of all, there is a parrot shaped hole in your heart and home aching to be filled -- but the rescue requires 3 to 6 MONTHS of supervised visits (requiring a great deal of time and $ in travel), classes you have to pay for that may or may not be the most current knowledge on behavior, diet and training (god forbid you mention a trainer you have worked with or like that the rescue has a professional grudge against!), and disclosures that have been down right silly and invasive?
I agree compatibility and mutual interest is vital in adopting parrots. But we all know it doesn't take very long to know one way or another. If you're paying attention, you can tell very, very quickly. It certainly doesn't take 3 to 6 months.
I recently met a lovely 20ish yr old YNA who's level of training was unknown, he did not step up but was docile, calm and did not display any fear or aggression as he hung out on the perch while I was interviewed. After spending all afternoon with him and the woman who ran the rescue, she finally disclosed they wanted $3800 for him. Which seemed absurd given I can get a baby from a breeder for less! When I very politely pointed that out, I was essentially shown the door, thankyouverymuch, buh-bye.
Ironically, I think rescue's hyper-vigilance helps drive the parrot breeding market. In trying to do the best for these wonderful creatures, rescues make it so difficult to adopt, many people just throw up their hands and seek out a breeder or an individual who is "selling" their bird.
The point of all of this is I think there is a balance to be found. If you're turning away REALLY good candidates because they're outside of your arbitrary circle, or drawing the process out 3 - 6 MONTHS, requiring more and more hoops to be cleared along the way, asking a premium in "rehoming fees" - justified by the ridiculous idea that if you can't afford $$$, then you can't afford to properly care for the bird - while more and more birds are surrendered to your facility, you have to ask, are you REALLY doing the birds the service you think you are? Is your goal to get the birds into homes or run a zoo/aviary?
homes.
