Vacation boarding?

[Joshuwaaa]

Does anyone use a holiday parrot boarding facility? Some of the UK ones look nice but I'm unsure what to look for and how to decide which is best.

I'm meant to be going to the US for two weeks in October and wondered what you guys think is best, I worry the change would be too much for a small cockatiel ! What is best? What's worked for others?

 

[TessieB]

I have a petsitter come to my house. I'm not too keen on boarding any animal of mine but at times leaving your pet at a facility can't be avoided.

Visit different facilities and ask all the questions you want. Do NOT board your pet at a veterinary clinic unless they have a totally separate building to house the boarders. Your main concern is disease transmission and when visiting (or interviewing) make sure the place is clean and has a good odor. Talk to the people who are responsible for caring for the animals and see which place leave a good feeling in your gut.

 

[Freespin]

I agree, go and visit some places! Check out the birds already there and see of they look happy and healthy. I find my smaller bird adjusts a lot better to new than my big one.

 

[kiwiS]

TessieB - do you know of any birds that have gotten sick after being boarded at a vet clinic?

I just want to see the probability. I will be boarding Kiwi at my vet for 20 days and your comment really worries me!

They do not have a separate building, but they do have a separate room just for boarders, that is temperature controlled. The last time I visited it looked very clean and well-kept, with no weird smells. Then again, they only had one cockatoo in there at the time.

They have very small cages for the boarding birds, but they are allowing us to bring in Kiwi's large cage from home, and will be following her exact diet, and will try to give her adequate out-of-cage time. Plus my avian vet works there

Still, the though of diseases being transmitted never occured to me. Is this still possible if they are shut off in a separate room?

 

[Joshuwaaa]

Disease worried me the most too, I was looking to see if any required avian bet health checks before boarding but none did. Which just tells me no bird is checked before being there and so could be carrying anything.

Might be worrying to much but my fids are like my kids and I couldn't risk it.