Traveling soon- any suggestions?

[Hawkmaid]

Hey guys, I'm going on a day camp in a few weeks. Cricket has become very attached to me (as in "YOU GET BACK HERE CUZ I LOVE YOU AND I'LL KEEP SCREAMING OR ELSE" attached) and is driving my poor mother crazy. I've set up a routine with him so that he gets some cuddly time outside of the cage, but with the day camp I won't be home at all. My whole family is traveling 3 hours from home, and then I will be at the camp while they do random family things. Anyway, my point is, we can't figure out what to do with Cricket. If we take him (and we could - we have a travel cage), I wouldn't be there for him all day. That said, he'd probably be very loud and irritable the whole time, which I'd rather not do to my family. We ALSO might take the dog, which adds a whole other dimension to the whole thing. I should mention, I'm thinking that we'll only take one animal or none - because no one can handle both in such a small area.

Any suggestions on how to keep him pacified and quiet? I'm headed out in the evening, spending the night at camp, spending nearly the whole next day there, and back to my family that evening.

 

[jenphilly]

Was Cricket adopted from a shelter? Often rescues will board their own birds, we do at AHW, but we do not board outside birds, only AHW alumni

Or what about your vet, any chance your vet can offer the service? If not, cousin or other family / close friend that is interested in birds and open to learning about Cricket's care and sitting for you while you are gone?

Be careful with boarding at a pet store or another bird owner, you want to confirm disease testing / safety considerations. But I'm paranoid about disease testing with my involvement in life...

 

[GaleriaGila]

Agreeing with jenphilly above... a trustworthy boarder. Preferably his previous location.

 

[Hawkmaid]

Was Cricket adopted from a shelter? Often rescues will board their own birds, we do at AHW, but we do not board outside birds, only AHW alumni

Or what about your vet, any chance your vet can offer the service? If not, cousin or other family / close friend that is interested in birds and open to learning about Cricket's care and sitting for you while you are gone?

Be careful with boarding at a pet store or another bird owner, you want to confirm disease testing / safety considerations. But I'm paranoid about disease testing with my involvement in life...

Nope, I got him from a pet store. I was looking at shelters, but he stole my heart. Anyway, I'm looking into my grandparents watching him while I'm gone. I know of one breeder who boards, but their environment isn't super clean to say the least so I'd rather keep him within the family. A vet is possible; do you know how high their boarding rates could be?

 

[GaleriaGila]

No idea about rates... might be lower than we might think at first...

 

[Leaf]

My local Avian Vet (SoCal) charges $12-$22 per day depending on bird size. GCCs board for $12! Definitely have them bookmarked for if I ever have to take longer trips

 

[happy410]

My vet charges $15 a night for my medium/large birds. I am going to have to leave them next week for the first time. �� I know they will be fine but I hate leaving them. I checked out the bird room on our last vet visit, it was very clean, all the cages were clean and all birdies seemed content. They only board their patients so that eases my mind about diseases.

 

[snowflake311]

They have bird sittings We had a lady in my tiny town that would watch birds for people. There is a place in Reno that will Board your bird at the store.

I agree looking into having some come over and check on the bird or board it would be best. I am going on vacation soon but will be staying with family so Sprinkles is going with us. My Budgies will stay with a friend.

You don't want to camp with a bird if you are going to be tent camping. too cold too many wild animals like raccoons.It would not be safe or fun.

 

[Hawkmaid]

Yeah, we're looking into having a relative watch him. He should be fine for a day and a half by himself for the most part, shouldn't he? (Seriously asking; this is not rhetorical. )

 

[snowflake311]

Only a day and a half. That will be fine. Good luck try not to worry too much about him when you are gone.

You could start to get him ready now. Play with him a little less so he will not be so shocked or sad when he is not getting all the attention for one day.