What do your care arrangements look like for your bird(s)?

[nyspy]

Out of curiosity, how is everyone planning for the aftercare of their birds when you're gone? It's a question that I've always wondered, but never really discussed in general. I figured this would be an interesting subject.

Let me start with my plan. Hope others will share as well!

I'm not so much worried about a caretaker as I am planning for my little girl to take care of my birdies when I'm gone. I just needed to worry about financial stability for them. Here's how I've set up financial care arrangements for my birds.

My birds have an annuity that is pegged to the S&P 500 that pays for my daughter's life when I pass. This is in addition to my other arrangements for my daughter. I also have a small bitcoin stash and continue to mine them. This is also for my birds when I pass.

I figure this will be enough to guarantee a good home / stable living arrangement, healthcare, organic nuts and fruits, and happy times for my birds.

All monies are paid to a trust and will be managed independently.

EDIT: I actually have provisions for bi-annual checkups and vacations for my birds. lol.

 

[Mayden]

I have very little in place. I have a partner and we are both young so unless something tragic does happen, we are okay for the next few years. Our senegals shouldn't really outlive us if a natural life occurs for all and our bunnys don't really stand a chance of doing so due to their short lifespan.

If something were to happen to us, our parents would be taking on our birds (even the budgies!). They have enough money for their care and so it's not something that keeps us awake at night. As we age, however, we will be putting money into a savings account of some type to continue caring for whichever animals we have left. I think it's really important as so many go into rescues and such because an owner has passed away, this tends to be macaws from my experience as they are so long lived. People buying a baby macaw with them at 50-60years of age and not having a plan for what happens 'after'.

 

[MomtoPercy]

Excellent topic! I've only had Percy for a few months and I believe he's 5 years old so there's still a long road ahead for him. I hadn't even thought about what would happen to him if I'm gone!
You've given me something serious to think about, thanks!

 

[nyspy]

It's funny everytime I see you mention Percy as my name is Percy. lol.

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

Kind of long, but a very serious and important topic:

In Feb I had surgery, so it made me focus and research this subject. Here's what I came up with, and it doesn't mean I set in stone with this plan, because I continue to look into other options when info or ideas comes up.

I live in Florida. He would go to my retired parents if something suddenly happened to me (they spend a ton of time with him, he plays with them, they communicate, mom is head over heals for him, and he has full blown set-ups in both their homes, and they know how to care for him after a lot of coaching and observing by me.)

Beyond that, if they were unable for whatever reason, Pritti would immediately be brought to his long-term A-vet and stay and board until arrangements are made to transfer him to the permanent sanctuary I chosen. I researched Sanctuaries around the country in weather zones I thought would be good for my not-so-young fid, and narrowed it down to one in Florida, 3 hr drive, has a very good rep, and seems like a wonderful home for older parrots that live the rest of their lives there. Their site "to help so many more Parrots find their way to us and the freedom we provide them “To Just Be A Bird”. Also, providing the Parrot Owner with the peace of mind that their beloved Parrot will remain with us for the rest of their life in a natural, well cared for and loving environment! Flying free and interacting with their own kind has proven time and again, key to these social birds long term happiness." $250 fee/year for Pritti's size, as annual payment, or lump sum in advance based on life expectancy. I haven't seen the place with my own eyes, but have done a ton of research and get all thumbs up. I will post the name if someone is interested in seeing or sharing about it.

So that's the main plan beause I know I can count on them to be there. I have a back-up sanctuary in Arizona should the FL one, poof, disappear.

But... after reading so much in the forum about the wonderful members on this site that are blessings to fids and parronts and take in birds in need of forever homes, I would love to work out such an arrangement with someone that will give him daily love, touch, fun, care about his quirks that he has acquired over 32 years of life, and not care that he has had a naked "belly" (most not parrot people don't even notice it shouldn't be like that, because he is so pretty.)

PS
Arrangements are in writing by an attorney.

 

[getwozzy]

This is such an excellent topic; there are many of us here that strive to provide excellent care for our fids, and it just makes sense to ensure that care carries on if we are unable to provide for them.

I personally don't have much of a plan; my husband would continue to care for our birds if something were to happen to me. He sees the level of care I give our birds, but at this point he wouldn't know what to do if I were gone. So, at some point I plan on creating care instructions that would cover diet, toys, bird safety, training tips, a list of current commands, likes/dislikes, misc quirks each bird has, etc. that way whoever ends up with my birds will know how to take care of them.

When my son is old enough I will start teaching him how to care for them, and hopefully he will be willing to take on the responsibility of caring for them when the time comes. I don't really have any family members that are "bird people", so if my husband and son couldn't care for them, then I would have a better chance appointing their care to someone within this forum....or finding a sanctuary for them to retire in.

 

[Blueridge]

If something happens to me then someone in my family would take Rocky and probably find him a new loving family.

 

[Boysmom]

My boys are set to take my birds should something happen to me. They want to keep my voice and my words, as they are inside my 2 girls. If they can't handle them, they are to go to Merlee a member here. She and I have an agreement for such an occasion. I have also volunteered that IF her kids or Hubby doesn't want her birds , then I will gladly take them and love them just as she does.

No one considers that our voices are inside these birds. My 2 girls speak in my voice and certainly mimic alot of my crazy sayings. You keep a certain part of the person you lost inside that bird. It is food for thought for family members.

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

Wow. I'm surprised there wasn't more participation in this thread. My mom was watching the PBS movie that was recently on about Parrots and she said there was a woman in her 60's with dozens of birds who said she is worried what wil happen to them when she passes. Younger folks might think there's no reason to deal with it, but the reality is that just because one assumes that a friend or relative will take the bird(s), doesn't mean they know what to do, or will want/be able/afford to keep it for years and years. At the least, a person should have a list with: vet contact info, schedule for check-ups, food / water / snack /medication needs, cleaning schedule and chemicals allowed, safe environment musts, time needed to spend with bird, i.e. minimum of 2 hours a day, a good website or book with detailed care issues, and a place to board bird if needed while away, etc, and a thousand more etceteras.

 

[Birdman666]

MINE LOOK EXACTLY LIKE MY DAUGHTER...

And I've told her if she doesn't take care of her, I'm coming back, and my ghost will haunt her until she does right by them.

I worry about what happens when a few of my old friends pass... Last I heard I was named in 3 different wills. My daughter is named in 1 in addition to mine.

 

[nyspy]

I think the reality is many people aren't thinking about it and don't want to deal with it.. **sigh.

 

[Kaylea]

Our 10 year old Daughter will take care of our birds..its in our will if anything ever happens to us..she and the birds go to my oldest Daughter who is 20 years old n married .. her and her husband both love our birds..n if anything ever happened it didnt work out..I have 2 older sons also....one way or another they will never be sold. They will remain in my family..

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I don't have a plan D: I suppose being young makes me not worry about it yet, but something terrible could happen any day and I could die in a car crash, or get some terrible disease. At the moment I'd assume my parents would keep them for a while, but they're both very busy and would probably re-home them at some point, it would be emotional for them to give away something that was so important to me. Maybe my brother would take Rosie and my sister would take Kenji. But neither of them would give them proper care

Good thing to think about! I'll have to find a good person to be my birdies god parent encase anything happens to me.

 

[tab_xo]

My parents know that if anything happens to me that they have to take Fargo back to the breeder, and they will find him a new home... They even said they could look after Fargo if i ever wanted to go on holiday!


My parents know nothing about birds, so wouldn't trust him with them, and i don't know anyone who has birds..


I am almost 19, Fargo is almost 2... So will just have to see who goes first i guess haha

 

[SpotsandSally]

Welll... You also have to think... A lot of people here own either older birds (ie rescues) or not long living birds... I mean, I don't a 13 year old needs to worry about her IRN when she passes... I should long out live Kiwi...
As for emergencies, not something people think about. I assume if something happens to me, my family will rehome Kiwi, likely to a friend who owns Linnie's... I completely trust her to take care of kiwi...

 

[Freespin]

Haven't really thought about it a lot. I should outlive my boys but my partner s a huge bird person so he would happily keep them. Have talked to him about me taking his too though when he is gone (im 11years younger than him) but neither of us are that old (despite my teasing him hehe)