Lost my Pet Sitter...Now what do I do???

[Tammy]

Help! I have a 5 day cruise at the end of this month. The friend I had lined up to watch my dogs & parrot fell off the wagon & showed up at my apartment complex when I wasn't there & tried to get into the wrong apartment. The cops were called, etc.etc...

I can no longer trust him to watch anything! I can board the dogs in a kennel but what do I do with Mr. Precious??? I can have a neighbor come over 2 or 3 times a day to feed/water, but they wouldn't be able to give him out of cage time. Would it be okay for him to be in his cage for 5 days straight with lots of toys but minimal human interaction?? I can leave radio or tv on.

Please advise, my whole family is going on this vacation, my first in 15 years & I am completely screwed now.....

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

Oh boy. But, you know your bird best-- what do you think he can handle? That would be a tough one for me to leave him for 5 days only because of the emotional issues for Pritti. I know he'd get food and water, and I know he could handle 5 days in a big cage with his toys as long as he had human interaction throughout the day, good lighting, etc. Is at all an option for you to bring him to a super nice, clean avian specialty vet that boards? I've done that at least once a year for the past 15 or 16 years with Pritti and we pick the spot we want where staff go by and say hello to the birds in that area all day long. They are staffed at night too. This year I found another avian only vet closer to my home and they have a clincially clean boarding area far and separate from the medical part too. But they also let the clipped birds out every day if owner agrees. I saw how they set them each up on a nice big perch w/food and water, all spread far enough away from each other and under supervision by front of the office staff behind the little window in the wall. They looked very content and well cared for. Perhaps you can find that too and go inspect the place and meet the staff if you would consider that sort of boarding as an option. If you happen to be in SE FL, I could tell you the places. If your cruise leaves from SE FL, maybe you could bring him and drop him off at the vets office if you are driving to the ship.

 

[Rio Mom]

This past weekend we were away for my middle sister's wedding. We left Friday and returned Sunday, only 3 days, not 5, but my fids did fine. I had a friend come over twice a day to take care of them and the dogs/cats. She did not let them out, as she's not a "bird person", and has never handled them. I gave them each a new toy before I left, filled their foraging toys, left lots of goodies for my friend to give them.

 

[antoinette]

Glad he fell off the wagon before you left.... imagine him looking after your bird in that state OMG
I reckon Mr. Precious will be just fine, as long as the neighbours come each and every day, 2 to 3 times.... even just to feed him, change the water etc...

Make a cd with your voice, saying all his favourite sayings, ask your neighbour to play it on and off. Mr Precious will at least hear your voice, and hear familiar sayings.

 

[Rio Mom]

I also left instructions for her to turn the tv on in the morning, and off at night, which is what I do when we are working.

 

[mtdoramike]

No problem, I volunteer to go on the cruise for you. But I see no problem with him being left in his cage for a week without being let out. It will just make him appreciate you more when you return and he's able to be out of his cage again.

 

[Tammy]

Thank you everyone so much! You have lifted a great weight from my shoulders.

 

[Sassy]

Help! I have a 5 day cruise at the end of this month. The friend I had lined up to watch my dogs & parrot fell off the wagon & showed up at my apartment complex when I wasn't there & tried to get into the wrong apartment. The cops were called, etc.etc...

I can no longer trust him to watch anything! I can board the dogs in a kennel but what do I do with Mr. Precious??? I can have a neighbor come over 2 or 3 times a day to feed/water, but they wouldn't be able to give him out of cage time. Would it be okay for him to be in his cage for 5 days straight with lots of toys but minimal human interaction?? I can leave radio or tv on.

Please advise, my whole family is going on this vacation, my first in 15 years & I am completely screwed now.....

Where in PA are you?? I'm also in PA.

Sassy

 

[MickeysMom]

I was going to ask the same thing Sassy did....WHere in PA are you?

I am in Southeast, outside Philly....I would be happy to watch Mr. Precious for you if you are nearby.....He could stay at my house if you wanted....the Fids get plenty of out of cage time, and eat like kings/queens.....

 

[Rio Mom]

I could also help if I'm close enough, or if you want to bring him here. I'm near DuBois, PA.

 

[Mare Miller]

I love this forum, sweet people, for sure! Can I get a taker for Amigo? (just kidding!)

 

[Mare Miller]

Does your avian vet board? I just found out that mine does and you would not believe the stress that has been lifted! Worth checking into.

 

[DebsFlock]

If you can't find a trustworthy person to take on the job, you may be able to find a professional pet sitter. Pet Sitters International has a listing of licensed and bonded professional pet sitters, and is a pretty good resource. Or a bird store or your vet may board.