Vacation

[Lukask]

Hello all. My father wants to go on a family vacation for a week this summer. He wants to either go on a cruise or to a cabin on a fishing trip. Both sound wonderful, minus the fact that I dont want to leave Luna. I told him that finding a reliable sitter is difficult for a bird. Or I suggested bringing her with if we did the cabin. There is a good chance that I wont be able to go because I dont trust others to take care of Luna like she deserves. I dont know what to do! Any suggestions or experiences with this?

 

[suncon97]

I was away for a week on vacation last year.I shredded newspaper enough to cover the bottom of the cage and about 4 inches thick of it.This way I wouldnt have to ask anybody to clean the cage because I had a fear my friend would use a cleaner of some sort.I had my good friend do it that had some experience with animals although not necessarily birds.All I had her do was fill the food bowl,change water,and cover her at night along with flipping radio and lights on and off.I brought her here about two weeks before so her and Pearl could get used to each other and there wouldn't be any problems between them.I also left a credit card,carrying cage out,and vet # in case an emergency vet visit was needed if anything went wrong.I was scared like you are to leave Pearl but it all went surprisingly well and I made sure I got multiple updates each day.

 

[roxynoodle]

Some vets will board birds if you can't find a reliable sitter. And at least it would be somewhere that there are people all day.

 

[Mare Miller]

Pshh, vacation? What's that? I forgot. We have a house in Baja, just beautiful, right on the beach of the Sea of Cortez. It's so hard for me to leave Amigo, due to not trusting anyone else with him, or him with them. My daughter can semi-sorta handle him, he's never bit her but I can tell she's not very comfortable with him...he sure does like her, though. Family vacations are a thing of the past, oh well...

I like your idea, roxynoodle, of vets that will board your bird. (They will be sorrrrry...hehe!)

 

[roxynoodle]

Mine does. When I was there Friday I wandered into the room of birds being boarded and asked about them, which is how I found out they do it. There was also a cockatoo that was screaming nonstop that they had to put in a room of his own due to the volume. I went and visited with him a bit. Don't get me wrong, they weren't ignoring him, they were going and talking to him here and there as they could. All the other boarding birds seemed to be having fun chit chatting with each other.

 

[Mare Miller]

I called the USDA, (Dept. of Agriculture), in California, wondering how hard it would be to bring Amigo with us and then back across the border. Because, he is considered an endangered species it became more difficult and expensive than we had counted on. Coming from Mexico, a USDA representative would have to be called upon entering the US, (the border crossing is a nightmare in itself, sometimes a two hour wait just to get to the gate). God only knows how long it would take for the rep to get there, with all paperwork in order, he would then charge you $180!

We took two of our horses down, years ago, for six months. We had no idea what we were getting into just to get back across the border! We cross in Mexicali, normally, which is in the southeast corner of California. They sent us to Tiajuana, (pacific side), and quarantined our horses for two weeks at the Tiajuana racetrack! I guess quarantine is a good idea till you want to get back home, with your horses!

 

[roxynoodle]

I called the USDA, (Dept. of Agriculture), in California, wondering how hard it would be to bring Amigo with us and then back across the border. Because, he is considered an endangered species it became more difficult and expensive than we had counted on. Coming from Mexico, a USDA representative would have to be called upon entering the US, (the border crossing is a nightmare in itself, sometimes a two hour wait just to get to the gate). God only knows how long it would take for the rep to get there, with all paperwork in order, he would then charge you $180!

We took two of our horses down, years ago, for six months. We had no idea what we were getting into just to get back across the border! We cross in Mexicali, normally, which is in the southeast corner of California. They sent us to Tiajuana, (pacific side), and quarantined our horses for two weeks at the Tiajuana racetrack! I guess quarantine is a good idea till you want to get back home, with your horses!

Oh, what a nightmare! Yes, I think I'd leave my pets home in that case. I'd be so worried, too, while they were in quarantine.

 

[BillsBirds]

Other than the vet, look in the yellow pages under "Pet Sitter". There are many people who watch pets. Make sure they know birds, and insist on having them visit your house & bird. Also, ask for & check references. A good sitter will also insist on these same things.

 

[roxynoodle]

I guess I was suggesting the vet because people are there all day. There are a lot of good pet sitters out there who do this for a living so are reliable. But, often they come to the home 2-3 times per day and the animals are alone. I think maybe birds have more trouble dealing with that than maybe dogs and cats do. Obviously none of our animals like for us to be gone, but birds seem to worry more, and rely on us for companions. Merlin started feather plucking in her previous home when her owners had to start traveling, and they said they had a wonderful pet sitter. That was why they decided to rehome the birds.

 

[lexx510]

Some bird shops (mom and pops) also offer boarding services. Just make sure it is a trustworthy shop. We have one nearby, where the owners are very knowledgeable and caring. We boarded our GCC there over the Christmas break.

 

[Mare Miller]

I would not want someone in my home, full time, which they would pretty much have to be because we live so far from town, and I also, would find it hard to trust people I don't know...so, for me pet sitters would be a no go. The boarding idea is a good one. I would feel good about Amigo being surrounded by activity, although he'll drive them bonkers for wanting out of his cage. Gonna check into that one. Maybe there's hope that our family will be able to vacation together, one day soon.

 

[roxynoodle]

I have trouble with letting a stranger free access to my home as well. But, the 2 vacations I've taken in my life were disastrous as far as the pet sitters went. The first time I hired one of my best friends, who actually pet sits for a living! Well, she sure didn't do her job for me. She was calling my neighbors to go feed the horses breakfast and to let the dogs out at 3pm! So that means my horses didn't get fed til afternoon and my dogs were peeing and pooping in the house.

The second time I hired my 20 year old neighbor. He was out of work, needed the money, and the animals pretty much liked him. Plus I told him he could use my computer and satellite TV as much as he wanted so the birds would have company for a few hours. Well, that thrilled him for what I think was 2 days. I know he didn't feed any of the animals at least one day, and possibly 2. I was so angry when I came back I nearly beat the crap out of him!

I don't plan on going on vacation again.

 

[lexx510]

I would not want someone in my home, full time, which they would pretty much have to be because we live so far from town, and I also, would find it hard to trust people I don't know...so, for me pet sitters would be a no go. The boarding idea is a good one. I would feel good about Amigo being surrounded by activity, although he'll drive them bonkers for wanting out of his cage. Gonna check into that one. Maybe there's hope that our family will be able to vacation together, one day soon.

When we boarded Guava, we were given a card to fill out for her diet needs and any special instructions (i.e., if she's an escape artist, biter, etc). We were also asked whether or not we prefer that she be given outside-of-the cage time. It's a small store with only a handful of employees, who are all very sweet and knowledgeable. I, too, am usually paranoid about letting anyone handle her, but I actually felt pretty confident leaving her there. I've visited the shop many times prior and was always impressed with their treatment of the birds. Nearly all parrots there are fed Harrison's organic pellets, are given plenty of fruits, veggies, and millet, and are given outside the cage time. They also have a special room in which customers can spend time bonding with their purchased babies. Needless to say, Guava came back home a happy birdy. Of course, I realize this quality of care is not the case for 99 % of pet stores, but it is definitely worth exploring.

 

[c3honey84]

Doesn't anyone just bring their birds with them? I am renting a house in Florida in May, and I have every intention of bringing Roxy with me. I purposely bought an extra large travel cage that can double as a temporary cage while we are away.

 

[Mare Miller]

How funny! We went on vacation once, before Amigo, and had a friend of my sons, we'd known him for years, stay at the house, for the horses, dogs and cats. I believe he did a good job but when the next satellite television, DISH, bill came in...there were all these porno movies on it that he had rented off of PPV!

 

[roxynoodle]

Yeah, I came home to find the computer wasn't working right and was filled with porn.

 

[Lukask]

After talking to my father, I was told that I can bring Luna with us on vacation. I AM SO EXCITED! Now I need to worry about other things that will go along with that. I need to get her harness trained. Also, this is a fishing trip. I wonder how she will be on a boat. Anyone bring your bird around water?

 

[Mare Miller]

Sorry, my dear...I'm at a loss for words! In your case, you'll need a travel cage for that adventure.

 

[roxynoodle]

I think I'd go with a travel cage as well. Did you see those backpacks in the thread about flight suits? They have mesh so are mosquito proof, and being around water, there will be mosquitoes. Be very careful if this is an area with reports of West Nile virus.

 

[lexx510]

Yes, a travel cage is your best bet. Better safe than sorry!