Mini Rant

[Safira]

There was a post on the Deleware Craigslist trying to rehome a female African Grey with cage. I replied asking how much they wanted and how old the bird was.

I got back " Hello, she is 4 years old and 1200 dollars."

Red Flag, they obviously just want the money. I responded saying:

"I don't need the cage, and at 1200 dollars I can get a baby African Grey handfed and tame. I'll give you 600, cash."

He said

"She's not really hande tame.. or nice.. she talks and is very entertaining.. the lowest I can go is 900."

.. Least to say I won't be taking in the bird. I feel bad for her, I hope she gets a good home but I don't know many bird people who will spend that much money on an animal who will need a lot of time, patiance and care.

I'll be happy to flag his Craigslist posts though whenever I see it. :21:

 

[IcyWolf]

That's a shame, I've seen hand raised babies for $900, what are these people thinking?

 

[Safira]

They are just after it for the money. I told him if he changes his mind to let me know. I wish he had the birds welfare in mind.

 

[roxynoodle]

I see this all the time, too. They spent at least that on the bird, cage and supplies, aren't happy and want their money back. But, someone else's problem bird just isn't worth what a baby is.

There are plenty of nice birds in shelters for reasonable fees or no fee at all. And someone who is more concerned about finding the right second owner is a better bet as well.

And a lot of these birds come with a cage you wouldn't want to use anyway!

 

[Safira]

Yeah, I was gonna look at a rescue nearby and check the cosignment birds at Bird Paradie NJ. I want to try to help a bird before I go for a baby again. Safira is still very baby. But I am not going to line some a$$es pocket just so he can get rid of his problem!

Oh well, wasn't ment to be. At least my order from my safe bird store came in. I have candy!

I think I spend a lil too much time on this board..hehe

 

[roxynoodle]

When I was looking for another bird I put in my CL ad that rehoming fees needed to be in line with my financial situation of being on disability. And I got people emailing me asking for $2k for their screaming, biting cockatoo. At first it was discouraging when I realized I could get a baby bird of some kind for less than what these people were asking for their birds. None of them were in appropriate cages either, but I had a cage. I had also put in my ad that I didn't need a cage unless their bird was very attached to it; and in that case I would trade them my cage to sell.

One amazon I almost went to look at was in a dog crate. Another was in a budgie cage. And they owners were tying to tell me they paid like $400 for the cage, and I just thought, no you didn't!

Pete was in a cage too small for him as well. But, it was a nice quality, expensive cage. I use it now to put the birds in when I'm scrubbing theirs out. But, his owner only cared about finding the right next owner and gave him to me free.

So the right bird is out there for you.

 

[Safira]

Hearing things like that just break my heart. But you can't save them all and there are plenty of birds, dogs, horses, cats, etc who are put in hard situations every day.

But I want to help one! So I will keep waiting, and looking. Tax return time is upon us and I shall have extra $$$$$$$!

 

[triordan]

you should flag the post~`its against CL policy to "sell" animals and $1200 as a rehoming fee??????????????

 

[Safira]

Oh I did. If I see it again I'll flag it again. I don't mind a rehome fee for more then 300 for a parrot with a cage.. But 1200 is out of the question for what they're trying to 'rehome.'

 

[roxynoodle]

you should flag the post~`its against CL policy to "sell" animals and $1200 as a rehoming fee??????????????

Yeah, you can't help them all. I've had many horses and other animals that I rescued from bad situations. But, when I was young and in great physical shape, I was capable of taking care of them all. I'm not now. So I have to make sure I don't take on more than I can properly care for, and afford vet bills for.

The problem with the CL ads is they just say "rehoming fee", but you don't know what it is until you contact them! Or they contact you. No, it's not a rehoming fee, it's a sale price.

And the amazon in the dog crate, she kept raising the price on me about. First she said $125 without the dog crate. Within half an hour of texting with her it had gone up to $600.

 

[Rio Mom]

I went through sooooo many deadends trying to find a grey to adopt. Lots of ridiculous people just like that on ads, people who wouldn't reply at all, prices that changed, etc. I finally found a rescue that doesn't charge a rehoming fee. They would rather your money be spent on the bird itself. They also will ship birds if you don't live close to the rescue. They of course ask for an application, talk to you on the phone, background check if necessary, references, etc. It has taken a lot of waiting, but it looks like Pepper should be here soon!

 

[Safira]

Hey Rio, can you message me the rescue name? It's hard to find one that ships! There is one up near Lancaster that I'm going to go look at I think tomorrow, they have a grey.