A while back, I asked some of my friends a question: “If they could speak to the aviculturists of the future, what piece of advice would they give them?”
I got some interesting answers which I published here: Speaking to the Future- Part I. I did get so many answers I had to split them into more than one post. The photos are of the people who responded followed by their answers:
Robin Feagan:
“Enjoy them while you have them because you never know when circumstances will change and you will no longer have that feathered kid you loved so much..and love them for them not for what you expect them to be….they maybe nippy they maybe moody but they do need unconditional love no matter what.”
Barbara J Helferich:
“I would say to all the rescuers that they need to pull together for the good of the birds and quit the back stabbing and vicious remarks because that does nothing to promote their abilities to take care of these precious creatures.”
Kathy Floyd:
“I did not know anything about abused, neglected parrots until I went online looking for Parrot Toys of all things. I then found out about ‘rescues’ so I volunteered at one. Read and read some more, everything and anything. Talk with people, experiences people. Spend time with birds, learning them and their behaviors. ”
Barbara Cooley:
“Volunteer in a bird rescue before deciding which bird would be right for you. I learned a lot doing this, and my dream bird is not one that I would want after learning more about myself, and what type of Parrots would do good in my home.”
Dorothy Long-Leinenbach:
“Having a parrot is a long life commitments with lots of love. Don’t buy a parrot just because you said “Aww how cute!” Do your research & understand what you’re getting into. I love my babies 11 & 8yrs old and I’ve had them since they were babies.”
Laura Rutkowski:
“If you can, set up a trust fund for your birds. Don’t plan on “giving” your birds to family. If they were interested, they would have already told you. Make sure you have a folder on each bird – their likes, fears, words, favorite foods, who they get along with, who their buddies are. Do your homework as far as rescues you trust. Have a network of bird friends. They understand how you live, what you would want for your birds. I hate to be this morbid, but our oldest is 30, youngest is 6 years old. Being 56, I would have to live until 100 to take care of them. I’d also like to set up a retirement for birds & their people, but I don’t have the money.”
Amy Meade:
“Learn to say “No.” Once you have a parrot (even if it’s “just” a budgie) you will become a magnet for those who are looking to re-home.”
It’s an interesting question. I got interesting answers. As I get more opinions, I’ll publish them in upcoming posts.
April 5, 2013 at 10:50 am
Wish more people thought like Laura Rutkowski. It would make our job easier, and allow for a much more successful transition for their birds.
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April 5, 2013 at 10:52 am
I agree Greg…
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April 5, 2013 at 1:06 pm
Amy Meade’s comment is so true. I get asked all the time if I want to adopt other people’s birds.
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April 5, 2013 at 8:37 pm
I wish it wasn’t so hard to work with other rescues. But everyone wants their bird adopted not the other rescues. We are limited to our little corner of the country to look for homes. We can’t do home studies because of the distances. We have people 5 hrs away wanting to adopt but we can’t get a home study done and would have a hard time checking on the birds (after care). If people would work together we would have even more success re-homing/adopting.
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April 5, 2013 at 10:06 pm
Great advice. Thank you Laura for your comments on a trust fund. Planning ahead helps to ensure that your birds will be cared for in case something happens to you.
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April 6, 2013 at 1:38 am
all comments made sense –but I am very pessimistic regarding ALL rescues to ever come and try together. I do not understand that they can not understand the help they could be to each other [but mostly to many parrots nationwide] if they would form a network. After all it is supposed to be about the birds and NOT THEIR egos:/
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