So you adopted or rehomed (hopefully!) a parrot... or two or three or... Or even if you purchased one- chances are, even if they are a mature parrot, you will outlive them. Many parrot species have a lifespan of anywhere from 30 years for smaller species up to 80 years for larger ones.
Side note: yet another reason parrots are not meant to be in captivity!
What if something happens to you? Will your family keep the birds out of obligation, when they are not really bird people and be unable to give them the care they need? Would your family, with good intention but out of ignorance, put a craigslist ad on and give your companion to the most interested party? These are important things to consider. I would rather my birds be rehomed with a highly qualified, well screened, well funded and experienced bird person that I've never met than be in a trapped realtionship on both ends with a family member. Not that my family wouldn't love my birds and take good care of them, but they are not bird people and shouldn't have to be if they don't choose it.
Parrots are not like dogs. Or cats. As we all know they take alot of time, effort, energy, and money in comparison. They bite, they scream, they can be hormonoal, territorial, they poop everywhere, destroy things, etc. Keep this in mind. It's not feasible for the majority of people to take this on. It is very very important that you include your pets and especially your parrots, in your will. Even if you're younger, anything could happen at any time. You don't have to see a lawyer. Just something simple out, sign it, and get in writing some directives about what you want for your parrots in the event you outlive them.
Things to consider-
-Do you have an experienced bird family member or friend who would be willing to adopt them in the event of a death? (You should definitely ask them to make sure!)- If so, you're a luck lucky duck!
-Did you adopt your bird from a rescue? Many rescues have written in your adoption contract that the bird must go back to them in the event of you being unable to keep him/her. I have this written in my will regarding Gracie and a provision that if her rescue can't take her, they be permitted (if willing) to place her appropriately while my family fostered her.
-Even if you didn't adopt from a rescue, you can check with your local rescue to see if they're generally willing to help place parrots while a family or friend fosters temporarily.
-Seriously consider making some financial provisions, if possible, for anyone taking in your birds. You could say that a percentage of proceeds from your estate go to the person taking in your brids. Or you can designate that in leiu of flowers at your funeral or memorial, that money should be donated to that person or rescue. Remember that's a LIFETIME of additional mouths they have to feed.
-The same goes for rescues who agree to assist- it would be awesome to designate donations to them for their assistane and willingness to help.
Don't leave your parrots (and your family and friends!) high in dry in the case of a tragedy. Even if you don't have a will, just write out directives for your parrots. DO IT!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Gracie is my soulmate.
Every time I look at Gracie, I'm in awe that she's finally here!!!! I keep wanting to write an entry here but I have just been spending every free moment loving on Gracie. When I'm not home, I'm thinking about and missing her!
She's been getting around St. Louis already. She's gone to Starbucks, the pet store, Francis Park, Willmore park, to my dad's house in West County, and even to a roller derby practice! She is having a blast so far and so am I.
April jokes about the difference between when I'm gone and I'm home. Gracie is apparenty very active in her cage, eating, foraging, playing with toys, getting around to all of her perches, etc. And when April takes her out when I'm gone, Gracie just wants to run around the couch or wherever April has her. The minute I get home, she comes up to her front perch (pics of cage to come!) and starts coo'ing at me! She goes into baby mode. She wants nothing to do with any of her toys- she just wants to come with me. I open the cage door and she starts lifting her side up, trying to step on my hand, even if it's not under her yet. lol.
I then give her kisses and petting and hold her to my chest like a baby. She coo's and coo's at me for the rest of the night. She expresses no interest in getting off of my chest at any point. Well, unless I'm eating, in which case she wants to share.
It's amazing that even Lola loves her. Lola will not even be on the couch when Sid or Gus are with me. She wants nothing to do with them whatsoever. They've never bitten her or ran after her or anything. From the day she set sight on them, she knew she was not a bird dog! However, when I have Gracie on my chest, Lola will sleep right on my lap or beside us. It's like she senses Gracie's gentle soul.
Gracie loves food! She wants to try all of it, no matter what it is. This seems to be a common Eclectus thing. She is, as is also common for her species, a super messy eater. Her mash ends up everywhere! I have to wipe down her cage and the walls daily. It's hilarious how far she can fling the mash lol. At night, though, I put her in a plastic basket with a towl and she eats her dinner while I eat mine on the couch. Then I can just run the basket under the faucet for cleaning. She likes eating with me and visa versa. Unless Sid and Gus who are in their little food craze and will try to bite your finger if you come near them while they're eating :)
I took Gracie to roller derby practice last week. I wasn't sure how she'd feel about the noise and the movement of 50 girls skating by at fast speeds. But she seemed very interested in the whole thing and watched on intently. She also liked all the new friends she made, except Davey Blockit, who was scared of her to begin with so I think Gracie sensed that. She made it clear, in her gentle way, that she did not want to be petted by Davey. And that's a-ok with me :).
I knew that Gracie was very special. But I could never have imagined this. She is an indescribable angel. I have never ever met an animal like her. Ever. She can act like a little baby but then has this wisdom... You can see in her eyes that she's an old soul. She's gentle and accepting but she makes it clear what she wants and does not. Her vocalizations are literally heart melting. She likes most everyone she meets and I swear she almost looks offended if someone passes without addressing her. She tells you what she needs and how to handle her.
At many people's request, Gracie has a Facebook Fan page now. Become a fan and follow her adventures. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gracie-the-Wonder-Ekkie/117889028233791
I also added some pics of her on my Flickr Set
http://www.flickr.com/activistkate
More to come later!
She's been getting around St. Louis already. She's gone to Starbucks, the pet store, Francis Park, Willmore park, to my dad's house in West County, and even to a roller derby practice! She is having a blast so far and so am I.
April jokes about the difference between when I'm gone and I'm home. Gracie is apparenty very active in her cage, eating, foraging, playing with toys, getting around to all of her perches, etc. And when April takes her out when I'm gone, Gracie just wants to run around the couch or wherever April has her. The minute I get home, she comes up to her front perch (pics of cage to come!) and starts coo'ing at me! She goes into baby mode. She wants nothing to do with any of her toys- she just wants to come with me. I open the cage door and she starts lifting her side up, trying to step on my hand, even if it's not under her yet. lol.
I then give her kisses and petting and hold her to my chest like a baby. She coo's and coo's at me for the rest of the night. She expresses no interest in getting off of my chest at any point. Well, unless I'm eating, in which case she wants to share.
It's amazing that even Lola loves her. Lola will not even be on the couch when Sid or Gus are with me. She wants nothing to do with them whatsoever. They've never bitten her or ran after her or anything. From the day she set sight on them, she knew she was not a bird dog! However, when I have Gracie on my chest, Lola will sleep right on my lap or beside us. It's like she senses Gracie's gentle soul.
Gracie loves food! She wants to try all of it, no matter what it is. This seems to be a common Eclectus thing. She is, as is also common for her species, a super messy eater. Her mash ends up everywhere! I have to wipe down her cage and the walls daily. It's hilarious how far she can fling the mash lol. At night, though, I put her in a plastic basket with a towl and she eats her dinner while I eat mine on the couch. Then I can just run the basket under the faucet for cleaning. She likes eating with me and visa versa. Unless Sid and Gus who are in their little food craze and will try to bite your finger if you come near them while they're eating :)
I took Gracie to roller derby practice last week. I wasn't sure how she'd feel about the noise and the movement of 50 girls skating by at fast speeds. But she seemed very interested in the whole thing and watched on intently. She also liked all the new friends she made, except Davey Blockit, who was scared of her to begin with so I think Gracie sensed that. She made it clear, in her gentle way, that she did not want to be petted by Davey. And that's a-ok with me :).
I knew that Gracie was very special. But I could never have imagined this. She is an indescribable angel. I have never ever met an animal like her. Ever. She can act like a little baby but then has this wisdom... You can see in her eyes that she's an old soul. She's gentle and accepting but she makes it clear what she wants and does not. Her vocalizations are literally heart melting. She likes most everyone she meets and I swear she almost looks offended if someone passes without addressing her. She tells you what she needs and how to handle her.
At many people's request, Gracie has a Facebook Fan page now. Become a fan and follow her adventures. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gracie-the-Wonder-Ekkie/117889028233791
I also added some pics of her on my Flickr Set
http://www.flickr.com/activistkate
More to come later!
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