Advice on Fostering needed

[Kyoto]

Hello everyone,
As many of you know, I rescued a couple of budgies this month out of very bad conditions. One has survived and is doing well (Tommy) but the other didn't make it.

This rescue was completely un-planned: It was an emergency situation that required someone to act immediately and I couldn't leave them where they were.

I'm in the process of rehabilitating Tommy and it's going very well - so well in fact that I'm thinking about the best options for his "forever" home. I have accepted that it may or may not be with me (all depends on miss Kyo and how she tolerates him after quarantine), so I want to start researching now for the worst case scenario.

I know what I would like for him, in the case that I need to adopt him out, but this is my first time really officially "fostering" a bird. I want to know what others who have fostered in the past have done as far as finding a perfect forever home?

1) What questions do you ask potential adoptees?
2) What should I look for?
3) How can I go about ensuring that they vet check him? (I'm asking for them to do this instead of asking for an adoption fee as I think it's more important)
4) At what point in his rehabilitation should I let him go to his forever home? Should I wait for his diet to be improved, or for when he's tame?

Throw everything you know at me! I figured, if anyone will know how to help it will be my friends here

Thank you for all of the support!
Sarah

 

[SilverSage]

1) I ask adopters things like
-why do you want a bird
-why this kind of bird
-what is your budget for this bird
-how do the other members of the family feel?
-how do you plan to keep him safe from other pets
-what if he bites your child?
-what if he is never tame,
-how close do your neighbors live
And things like that.

2) look for a home that knows how annoying budgies are lol. Basically people who seem to have a realistic understanding of what's involved in bird care, including giving up candles and non stick pans, etc. oh, and I personally don't adopt out to smokers if I can smell it on them. Some people actually do a really good job keeping the second hand smoke away from their pets and kids, but if I can smell it on you you aren't doing a good job.

3) Easy. Meet them at the vet; go to the appointment together. This is great because it introduces them to your AVIAN VET, and it is sort of a ceremonial hand off. For first time bird owners, it's actually great to have someone there to decode the bird vet lingo for them. This would be a good time to sign an adoption contract if you have one. Be sure to specify which tests you are requiring (I would at least get gram stains). It also gives you a good chance to see what kind of money they are willing to spend. Worst case scenario, you can leave with the bird and the bill.

4) if you find an adopter, adopt him out! Adopters are sometimes really hard to find, and a good one is willing to continue the work you have begun. By the way, sprouting budgie seed is an easy way to drastically improve diet with minimal resistance.





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