Death do us a part......

[snowflake311]

So I have posted about this before in other threads kind of.

A family member of ours is losing her fight to cancer. She is in denial about the fact that the end is very near. The denial is causing her to not want to give up the pets yet. She breeds Chinchillas and has like 70 and counting. She also has horses, tortoises and birds. The Chinchillas and birds are the ones I worry about.

She had more birds but now she only has her Favorites. 2 old African Greys and a 10 year old Pineapple green cheek. I have said before I would take the GCC. She does not want to let that bird go. The African Greys are a pair not breeders but they have been living together for over 10 years now. They should go together I think. These parrots are NEVER let out. The only interaction they get is threw the cage. They live outside year round too. None of them are that friendly.

I think I will be getting the GCC not sure when. I worry about the Greys and who would take on 2 un-tame Greys? A rescue would? They could be great birds but it will take lots of work and time.

What to do?

 

[Flboy]

This is a tough situation!

 

[CherylCali]

Has your family member made any type of provisions or arrangements for what happens with her animals after her passing? Just in general unless we get a grey when we're born they will out live us, that's why I wonder. Before I got EarlyBird I talked to my son about taking her, I'm 44 so she could easily outlive me.

CherylCali

 

[snowflake311]

Has your family member made any type of provisions or arrangements for what happens with her animals after her passing? Just in general unless we get a grey when we're born they will out live us, that's why I wonder. Before I got EarlyBird I talked to my son about taking her, I'm 44 so she could easily outlive me.

CherylCali

She got the parrots second hand they were older when she got them. They are about 25 maybe 30 years old now. Our family member is 58. She never thought she would die so soon. Sadly you can make arrangements but life happens. People get married have kids and in the end can not take the bird they said they could. Her husband Might keep them for awhile. When he moves to Reno a place that has cold winters he can not keep them outside in a big cage any more. I know her husband is not a big fan of birds that's one reason they had to stay outside.

I do not think she set up where the birds would go if she passed. She still thinks she will be ok... It's sad.

 

[CherylCali]

I'm so sorry, what a difficult and painful situation.

CherylCali

 

[Anansi]

I'm so sorry to hear that you have a family member who is going through this. I know from personal experience how hard terminal cancer can be, both on the individual and on his/her loved ones. So my prayers are with you and yours.

It is understandably difficult for your family member to face the daunting prospect of her own mortality, so I think it is a good thing that you are thinking on these things for her. Once your family member is ready, yes, a rescue is definitely a good option. You could start researching good ones in your area from now.

Also, you might want to put up a thread in the Adoptions/Rehoming sub-forum, again, once she is ready. We have many wonderful members on this forum who are willing to adopt parrots... even ones who are somewhat behaviorally challenged.

 

[SailBoat]

Thank-you, for care for both your family member and her pets.

From the hard cold legal side, there is very little that you can do. If your loved one does not have a Will (and, I am guess that is the case), it is becoming very important that one is developed ASAP. Without a Will, her property will be held by the Court and IT will define the distribution of the Estate. This process can take months -to- years.

I am assuming that you are not a daughter or son and highly likely not a spouse. That being true, you need to make contact with one and better, all of those so classified. Only if they clearly stated that they have no interest in pushing for the development of the Will and will provide that in writing can you approach your family member. Yes, you can simply make that request directly, but I stronger recommend that you not place yourself in that position!

Creation of a Will is something that is best done far before this point as the individual(s) are in a clearer frame of mind and not confronting their passing. That said, the presentation should be from the point of assuring that those things that are of importance to her /them are cared for should she /they pass.

The good news is that most Lawyers will make house calls. If one exists, a Lawyer that the family has /does work with is commonly a better choice.

Sorry that you find yourself in this position. I hope this Post helps in providing direction.

 

[Minerva]

It sounds like you have a handle on the birds, but what on earth is going to happen to all of those poor chinchillas? Can she start winding down her breeding program and offering them in pairs or trios to new homes, so no one has to handle 70 homeless chinchillas? I would be afraid that someone would try and scoop them up for fur instead of as pets.

Good luck. It is very good of you to be considering the animals and their futures.

 

[snowflake311]

Thank-you, for care for both your family member and her pets.

From the hard cold legal side, there is very little that you can do. If your loved one does not have a Will (and, I am guess that is the case), it is becoming very important that one is developed ASAP. Without a Will, her property will be held by the Court and IT will define the distribution of the Estate. This process can take months -to- years.

I am assuming that you are not a daughter or son and highly likely not a spouse. That being true, you need to make contact with one and better, all of those so classified. Only if they clearly stated that they have no interest in pushing for the development of the Will and will provide that in writing can you approach your family member. Yes, you can simply make that request directly, but I stronger recommend that you not place yourself in that position!

Creation of a Will is something that is best done far before this point as the individual(s) are in a clearer frame of mind and not confronting their passing. That said, the presentation should be from the point of assuring that those things that are of importance to her /them are cared for should she /they pass.

The good news is that most Lawyers will make house calls. If one exists, a Lawyer that the family has /does work with is commonly a better choice.

Sorry that you find yourself in this position. I hope this Post helps in providing direction.

I know her husband will get everything. I know he is not a bird fan. So I will talk to him when the time is right. I think she has a will I don't think the birds are in it.

Thanks guys.

Yes the chinchillas are a problem. She sold some but they have stopped trying to find homes at this time sadly. I was shocked to hear that the male and female pairs are still allowed to breed. It's kind of a mess.

 

[Scott]

What a sad situation for all involved, and all to often the animals are a last consideration.

Is she currently in-home hospice or contemplating a move to a hospice facility? A hospice will frequently have access to a wide range of counseling options that may include pet considerations. It is not too late to enlighten her and husband to possibilities that may include incorporating durable safeguards for the pets.

 

[GaleriaGila]

You're very brave and courageous and caring. Best, best, best of luck to you.

 

[snowflake311]

What a sad situation for all involved, and all to often the animals are a last consideration.

Is she currently in-home hospice or contemplating a move to a hospice facility? A hospice will frequently have access to a wide range of counseling options that may include pet considerations. It is not too late to enlighten her and husband to possibilities that may include incorporating durable safeguards for the pets.

Yes in-Home Hospice is there. They give her 2 day to a month to live. She is starting to come to terms with it I think. She said she had a good life. Seems like no one wants to bring up the pets they were he life. When her kids moved out she started keeping more and more animals she loved them they kept her going. I did not agree with the way she kept the birds. They were cared for and loved.

Cancer sucks.