SassyByrds Future (when I’m gone)

[PickleMeDickles]

For some reason I have really started to worry about where Sass will end up when I am gone. I want to do everything I can to ensure she is placed with someone who will love her and treasure her as much as I do & work to keep up the routines and lifestyle she is accustomed to.

I am creating a hard copy & digital “life story” that will include her history and just about everything that is important to her. I’m including a video of us playing “peekaboo” at night (she has trouble falling asleep without playing this), how she likes her baths, favorite food & treats, her favorite recipes, what she doesn’t like, what her calls mean, etc. My goal is a little “SassyByrd Book” that can be updated over the years that will help any new “parents” out and make things as smooth as possible when the time comes.

What are other people doing in regards to future plans? Any advice on finding the “right” new parents? I know my daughter could take her in a pinch but how to find someone appropriate that has a PASSION for parrots? Do you think setting something up with a well established rescue is a good idea? Im thinking if I do this and leave a little fund to help with her care until new parents are found might be an idea. Im sure others out there have given more thought to this than me and I would love to hear your plans and ideas. Btw, Im not planning on going anywhere anytime soon, it’s just that life happens when you least expect it and I don’t want all these lives that depend on me to be caught off guard! Hopefully the Sass and I will be together for the next 30 plus years!

 

[henry0reilly]

This isn't really Amazon specific. I bet if you search you might find this has been discussed in other forums here.

 

[Squeekmouse]

I find myself thinking along these same lines a lot, regarding my boys Trigger and Yoda. Trigger especially is likely to outlive me. My problem is, I have brothers and sisters and they've got plenty of kids, but I've had almost no contact with any of them for a very very long time.

I bet a lot of other PF folk have felt this way. I wonder if we could start up some sort of God-Parront program or something...

 

[Jen5200]

Definitely have thought about this and not sure what I’m going to do myself - my birds likely won’t outlive me, but things happen and there’s no excuse for my not having planned for that. I should have a plan for them!

The sanctuary/rescue that I volunteer at does have birds that owners made arrangements in advance and have left a trust for their care. That being said....I don’t feel like that’s a great arrangement for all birds, and most would be happier in a home with a family. But I do think that this is a good option in some situation and is far better than them having an uncertain future.

Squeekmouse - that’s actually an intriguing idea to set up a PF God-parront program .

 

[Scott]

An age old problem, no pun intended. Make sure you are ancient before passing!

A lot of folks contemplate mortality, kudos for addressing the situation while younger. I suspect you are on the right track; family as possibility but a more durable environment such as rescue as best for Sass. Having a fund is ideal, you'll likely need legal guidance to ensure it does not get squandered or administered incorrectly.

 

[charmedbyekkie]

I never thought of a sanctuary as an option? In a sanctuary setting, do they have frequent interaction with humans? Cairo doesn't understand that he's a bird - he's quite nervous around other birds in fact - and he prefers humans. He absolutely loves trick training and flying (indoors and outdoors), so that kind of quality time is something I would want for him.

Where we are currently, we're somewhat part of the local parrot community. And I've been fortunate to meet some people (breeders and groomers) who would either be able to take him in or be able to place him with people they trust.

But I know if we shift to the US, that will all change and I would worry more. I second having a PF-godparront program - I've noticed it happening organically already

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I think about this too. My health generally sucks Amy has really only known me since mom passed away 13 yrs ago. My brother is in much better health and four years older but he really isn't a "bird person".. my son wouldn't want Amy or BB. Amy likes other birds so maybe a sanctuary..hurts a lot to think about it.



Jim

 

[Squeekmouse]

I did a bit of reading on wills and trusts for pets, and I found a couple of good resources. I haven't yet found anything about how to find a Godparent or organizing some sort of Godparront matching thing. I'm going to have to think and research some more about it, but I think I might be on to something...

I'm brainstorming here, so anyone feel free to chime in.

I envision an ongoing thread where folks can post their interest in either finding or being a Godparront, (or both even!). I think the matching would have to be located in the same area of the world, realistically. I know a lot of us are quite leary of sharing personal information with 'strangers' met over the interwebs, so it definitely couldn't be something as simple as a couple of posts in the thread and Bam! Done. The thread would just be a way to find/volunteer/make initial contact, and would have to be followed up with private messages, then emails, video-conference, calls, and eventually meeting in person.

I think in general, anyone who wants to join in would have to:

Parront should:

1. Have a will that establishes what should happen to the fids and supplies for the fids.
2. Set up some kind of trust for the fids.
3. Consider how transportation of the above would happen.
4. Keep good records of the fid's health, diet, quirks, important info to be provided to the Godparront.

Godparront should:

• Meet the Parront and fids at least once.
• Be experienced with bird care.
• Make arrangements for what will happen to the fids after the Godparront.
• Agree to make every effort to never sell/give/transfer the fids to someone else, unless due to extreme/emergency/terminal circumstances.

What'd'yall think?

 

[Squeekmouse]

Here's the interesting articles I found:

Pet Wills and Pet Trusts for Your Pup - InsuranceQuotes.org

https://aldf.org/article/establishing-a-trust-for-your-animals/

All My Children Wear Fur Coats - An Pet Estate Planning Book- Leaving a Legacy For Your Pet

 

[Jen5200]

Great resources....thanks for looking into this further (I think it is a great idea). And thanks for starting this discussion....unpleasant to think about, but very important.

 

[charmedbyekkie]

Apart from the logistics and legal side of things, I remember one member here (I forget who, sorry!) mentioned teaching her bird the name of foods and the words for needs, like "apple" and "water". Her hope was that, should anything happen, that the bird would still be able to communicate with strangers their needs.

That thought really stuck with me. After that, I made sure to try to drill down those keywords, repeating them in context: "water", "makan" (to eat) or "yummy", "bathe", etc. Despite my consistency, the only 'need' that Cairo cares to talk about and demand at times is "fly-fly" But my hope remains that, if the need truly arises, he can convey those needs to someone else.

 

[PickleMeDickles]

I really appreciate everyone's responses! I worked as an oncology nurse for many years and became close with many incredible people who went from perfectly healthy to a devastating diagnosis that required the person to get their affairs in order very quickly and was often the person that would sit down with them and try to cover all areas. I know my daughter could easily handle the dogs and livestock but parrots seem to be a pretty special consideration. I don't want to just "will" SassyByrd to my daughter and have her feel like she needs to keep the Sass to honor my memory. As my daughter is only 20, I could see her doing her best but most likely Sass would end up stuck in her cage the majority of the time and my daughter would end up feeling horribly guilty. SassyByrd needs someone who was born with the wacky gene that compels them to want to live with a green demon. I mean right now the Sass is on her activity tree running around like the energizer bunny ripping little wooden dowels I hid amongst the tree and flinging them as far as she can. Who else is going to do these things for her?

The idea of setting up an account for all of my animals to use in case I fall ill (as opposed to passing away) is absolute genius. With medicine today, many of us face the possibility of becoming quite ill and maintained in this condition for a lengthy period of time. Or even if death does occur, it can take SO long for things to settle. In no way am I wealthy but I am sure I can set enough aside over the next year to provide a decent fund for everyone. I think I might set a monthly deposit goal for a trust account. And when buying toys and other supplies that don't expire, I think I'll try to order an extra one every now and then for a SassyByrd "diaper bag".

I also think that partnering up with someone who also has a fid is a great idea. I would be quite open to that idea with a rescue as a backup option. I don't know if this site even allows us to explore that option (privacy concerns?) but I would like to explore this further. That way if the "god parent" isn't able to take Sass, at least I know that a rescue, who know's what parrots need from a person, can place her in her next home.

And I too try to teach Sass words for everything. I clearly say "want water" or "want nut" or "want toy". So far nothing, but I know she clearly understands what I am saying so perhaps eventually she'll catch on. When she wants out of her cage she starts yelling step up, I guess that her interpretation of want out.

Thanks again for everyone that came up with such great ideas and resources!

-Jen