New long term foster bird!

[BeatriceC]

Some time this week I'm going to be taking in a red lored amazon on a long term foster agreement. His story is that he's been through a lot of homes. He's bonded very strongly with the young lady that has him now, but she got into an accident and had to move back in with her parents to recuperate. Her parents have a lot of dogs and cats and aren't really the bird's biggest fans. This was okay when the young lady was home full time, but now that she's gone back to work part time, it's creating a lot of stress. She was initially looking to re-home the bird, though she really didn't want to. When I saw the two of them together, I suggested a long term foster agreement with visiting rights instead. Then, when she's fully recovered and back on her feet, and back in her own place, she can take her bird back. She's going to meet me at my vet's office for a full vet check before I bring him home, and then we'll have a written agreement stating the terms of the agreement so all parties are comfortable that things will go as planned (or have the best chance of doing so). I'm so excited to be able to help both the bird and the human get through a difficult period in their lives.

 

[Kentuckienne]

That's wonderful.

 

[SailBoat]

Always knew you had a wonderful heart, but WOW!

Long term separation can result in some problems with weakening a relationship. Yes, you have visitation built in (wonderful idea), but adding something a bit more often will help greatly in maintaining that relationship. I am finding that Skype is an excellent tool, since you can set the laptop, etc... in front of the Parrot (short contact if unsupervised) and let them maintain their relationship.

You be the Best!!!

 

[Ladyhawk]

Thank you for doing this! I'd have fallen down and worshiped at the feet of the person who did this for me.

There's a small possibility that the bird could transfer his bond to you. Also, the poor little guy won't understand why his favorite person isn't there for him all the time anymore. He could get angry with her.

It's probably a good idea to talk to a rehabilitator or a foster home to get an idea of how the red lored will react.

On edit: Never mind. SailBoat has some good ideas for keeping their relationship kindled.

 

[LordTriggs]

that's such a nice thing to do for this person!

It's really good you're both being mature and making sure everything is set out, means less chance of arguments down the line!

If the lady in question lets you it would be nice to see a couple pictures. I'm sure it would be good to know she has the Zon army here swooning over her little buddy

@Ladyhawk, you expect anything less from Sailboat than an extensive list of ideas and methods to make things work?

 

[BeatriceC]

Thanks guys.

I told her that the first thing that needed to be done is a full vet check up, which she said she'd pay for. I think I'm going to tell her that instead of paying for it, I want her to put that money, plus any money she might have been paying for his care, into a savings account to be used for her first/last/security on her own place once she's recuperated enough to move out of her parents' house. My primary concern is that she and the bird be reunited as quickly as possible. I'm okay with investing a little bit into these two. Seems like she's had a rough go of it recently and could use a bit of a break.

And I will definitely post pictures if she gives me permission. He's a real cutie. Almost as cute as Goofy (though I might be a little biased on that count).

 

[Kiwibird]

What a wonderful thing you are doing for this lady and her bird! I wish there were more people like you in the world willing to help people who are in desperate situations not have to give up their most bonded companion forever.