Macaw adoption fee question

[Timneh]

What is a common shelter adoption fee for a macaw?
We were interested in a older greenwing macaw from a parrot rescue shelter, the macaw is fully feathered but a little rough and a bit scared, they did a fecal exam and it came back clean.
They told us the adoption fee is $935 with no cage.
I thought I've read of other shelter in same state $600-$700 for macaws.
$935 seems high to me, but does anyone here know?

 

[SailBoat]

What is a common shelter adoption fee for a macaw?
We were interested in a older greenwing macaw from a parrot rescue shelter, the macaw is fully feathered but a little rough and a bit scared, they did a fecal exam and it came back clean.
They told us the adoption fee is $935 with no cage.
I thought I've read of other shelter in same state $600-$700 for macaws.
$935 seems high to me, but does anyone here know?

Adoption Fees are all over the place. I have not seen a constant base cost as the cost structure commonly involves prior or existing medical fees, plus operating fees.

There is no guidelines regarding asking either! They should be willing to discuss the reasoning for their costs. Always remember that the Price can be just as commonly based on "What the Market Will Bare!"

A fecal examination is commonly less then 45 dollars and can be less when included as part of a New Parrot Examination. IMHO, they are only good for a week or so before the test and a week or so after the test. It provides excellent 'targeted' information about the Parrot, but not an overall determination of the health of the Parrot.

If you have an interest, make an offer! The worst they can say is no, right?

FYI: Assure that you have read the MAC forum with great depth!

 

[wrench13]

I thought Parrot Shelters would be a nominal fee out weed out bird brokers, $935 does not sound like nominal. Are you certain this is a Shelter ( ie an actual 501k charity shelter) or an entity that accepts surrendered parrots only to sell them again?

 

[Kentuckienne]

Depends on a lot of things. The rescue we support, they charge a fee that includes the cage. And many times the birds have had expensive vet bills, far greater than the adoption fee. We paid a reduced fee for our parrot, but I think that was in part a recognition of the fact that we had donated way more than an adoption fee during the year.

Rescues don't make a profit - in fact, normally the operators pay for a lot of the costs out of their own pockets. Your adoption fee goes toward the medical care, cage, toys, food and other expenses for the other parrots, some of whom are hard to adopt out because they have personality problems or long term medical issues. The rescue won't let them go to just anybody - they have to be sure the adopter is prepared to care for the parrot for the long haul, and work with the troubled ones. Sometimes a very high adoption fee might reflect the caution the rescue has about letting a particular bird go.

I know a rescue that's constantly being bashed by an individual because they won't "give him a bird". He has a very poor living environment, smokes, has about a hundred smelly hound dogs (he's on FB and shows all, tells all) and yeah, they don't approve him to adopt a parrot. Maybe he'd be a great parront. Some of the worst cases of abuse I've read came from wealthy homes. But they just have to use their best judgement in deciding where to place birds, and unless it's not a real rescue but a hoarder they have the bird's best interest at heart and they WANT to place them in good homes.

 

[riddick07]

That’s on the high end but 935 is a weird number so they coulld be including some type of cost the bird incurred. $500 is the fee at AHW for just the macaw even if the macaw has incurred thousands in medical fees.

 

[Timneh]

I thought Parrot Shelters would be a nominal fee out weed out bird brokers, $935 does not sound like nominal. Are you certain this is a Shelter ( ie an actual 501k charity shelter) or an entity that accepts surrendered parrots only to sell them again?

Yes this is a 501 c3 tax exempt rescue shelter and this fecal exam is the first taken since they got him, they said he is healthy.

My guess is this shelter adoption fees are high because then there is less chance you will give up on keeping the macaw when things aren't going well because you invested $935 plus all the other many expenses. Their contract says if for any reason you cant keep the macaw anymore you must give the bird back to the shelter and they keep the $935

He is a beautiful and gentle older greenwing male and we have the money to get him but maybe the shelter should not have such high fees that could discourage possible good homes.

 

[Timneh]

That’s on the high end but 935 is a weird number so they coulld be including some type of cost the bird incurred. $500 is the fee at AHW for just the macaw even if the macaw has incurred thousands in medical fees.

$925 plus $10 for food they make you buy.
So the real adoption fee is $925

 

[psychocircus91]

I've seen it higher, and I've seen it nearly free.
While I don't necessarily agree with high fees, running a shelter is EXPENSIVE and most do want to make sure prospective adopters are committed to care.

There is no right or wrong answer, other than if he is worth that much to you.

Edit: A newly weaned green wing goes for ~$2400.
Not sure how old "older" is, but given the lifespan of a macaw, older doesn't mean less valuable!

 

[Sarge]

That seems steep. I believe it was 600 for Capt flapjack with a cage he I picked him up.
Seems like they may be trying to get the upper hand