Adoption Procedure
How does a person/family go about adopting from our rescue?
The first step is to fill out an application that we call "Foster With Intent To Adopt." The reason we require this form is that all the birds that go to a qualified family must go as a foster for 90 days. During this period, the person/family is responsible for all costs associated with the care of the bird. This gives everyone involved a chance to see if 1) the bird feels comfortable and settled with this arrangement; 2) the new person/family has time to see if this is going to work for them and is able to see how much work, time and commitment to this little one is required; and 3) that the person/family has a way out if this is not working for them or the bird. We do not want people to feel that they are 'stuck' with a bird and don't know what to do with it.
When you are looking into adopting a bird from us, please understand that
requests for the amount of an adoption fee leads us to the thought that you are
more concerned about the cost of a bird and not about the adoption. Each of our
birds may have a different adoption fee based upon the care required for the
bird for the length of time in the rescue. When you are approved for adoption we
will then inform you of the fee for the bird best suited for your situation.
Many people think because birds are surrendered to a rescue and therefore the
rescue obtained these birds for free, that any fees for adoption should be
minimal. What is not taken into consideration is that many of these birds come
into the rescue with no cage or the cage that are living is is not acceptable
for use, meaning the rescue then has to provide one. Every bird that comes into
the rescue while waiting for their new family has to be fed, bathed, have a play
gym or a java tree for their out of cage time and these all cost the rescue.
Some birds may have physical problems requiring veterinary care and in some
cases will need multiple visits. Other birds come to us with behavioral problems
that require months of rehabilitation at the rescue and so the up keep of the
bird is paid by the rescue. The cost of the vehicles that pick up birds, cages,
supplies, trips to the veterinarian and are used for our events must also be
taken into consideration as well as the cost of utilities in our locations.
Since the primary cost is veterinarian expenses, our adoption fees are paid
directly to our avian veterinarian creating a fund for future use. Thank you for
your consideration of these things as you considering adopting.
When the application has been received by "Amazing Grace Bird Rescue," the applicant is notified and we begin checking references. We will check personal references, if renting we will verify that birds are allowed by the landlord, and due to recent changes in the economy, we have now found it necessary to check employment references as well. A potential adoptive family must have the means to care for the bird. Once these things check out, we then schedule a home visit. This is not to judge anyone, it is to see the cage you must have for your bird, where you are thinking of putting it and to talk to you about all the things that might be of danger to your bird that many people are not aware of.
The next step is having the applicant come to one of our locations to meet the bird they are interested in adopting. We watch to see if there is any connection between the person/family and the bird. If the bird is hesitant or not responsive to the person/family, then we ask that they come and volunteer at the rescue to hopefully build a relationship with the bird. Sometimes the bird they want does not want them, but a different bird might. We make it all about the bird and what makes them happy as this is a long time commitment and birds are not like dogs, cats or other living creatures. They live very long lives, are very intelligent, and each one has his or her own distinct personality. Birds are not always able to be "won over" as other common household pets are.
When we feel that the connection has been made, the person/family will meet one of the associates from "Amazing Grace Bird Rescue" and the bird at our avian veterinarian's office. We want them to meet our avian vet and to understand the services that his office provides. They will observe the vet doing a "well bird" check, and if still needed, the injection of a micro chip. They will talk to the doctor about the need for avian vet care as opposed to just a general vet taking care of the bird. When the exam is completed, the person/family is then responsible for the cost of this visit and any previous vet costs for this bird. (The adoptive family will be advised in the initial meetings about the bird what expenses, if any, have already been incurred - we don't want this to be a surprise to the new family!) We do this to help the family realize what a "well bird" check costs, as these checkups should be done yearly. A transportation unit approved by the rescue must be brought to this
appointment to take the new little family member home.
During the period of the next 90 days, someone from the rescue will call the person/family to see how all is going and to answer any questions that may have come up. There may be visits done to the home to see the bird in person to evaluate how the bird looks, to check for signs of physical well being, or any indication of health or stress issues that would need to be addressed. This does not necessarily mean the removal of the bird, but talking to the person/family to see how the issues might be resolved for the benefit of all. Several of these visits may be required to make sure that everything has been worked out and everyone is content.
When the 90 day evaluation period is completed, the person/family will sign our adoption contract. This contract states that there will be NO selling, trading, swapping, giving as a gift or breeding of the bird for any reason. The contract also states that if any of the terms of the contract are violated, the person/family agrees to pay all legal fees incurred by "Amazing Grace Bird Rescue" for the return of the bird. They also acknowledge that the micro chip placed within the bird is permanently registered to "Amazing Grace Bird Rescue" and that it will not be transferred. This is for the protection of the bird for many reasons, such as a natural disaster, the bird escaping and flying away or even the theft of the bird. If the bird is found and identified by someone other than its person/family, the Avid Company that has registered the micro chip to "Amazing Grace Bird Rescue" will have on record that the bird is to be taken to our avian vet, checked for any injuries and then the rescue is to be notified so
that we may locate the bird's person/family. All parties involved are given a copy of the contract and the copy for the "Amazing Grace Bird Rescue" is held in record permanently.
Amazing Grace Bird Rescue suspends its adoptions from October 31 through January
31. Adopting a bird is a stressful time for both you and your new companion. We
feel that during this time of the holidays there is not enough time for a normal
routine to be developed between you and your new feathered friend. We will continue
to take applications for adoptions and still rescue any bird in need. We hope you
understand.
There are many people that think we go to the extreme on how we go about our adoptions. We try to explain that we feel must talk for our birds as they cannot speak for themselves and they will have to live with this person/family hopefully for the rest of their lives. This is not a responsibility we take lightly. We do not see these birds as pets or property and we want to make sure that they will go to appropriate homes with people who will care for them properly. We value them as the little souls entrusted to us by our Heavenly Father and as our mission to serve Him. Our Father gave us dominion over His creatures, but also made us responsible for how they are cared for during their time on this earth.
We hope we have been able to answer all of your questions. If you are now interested, you can click on one of the links below and go to our adoption procedures.
You can then fill out the form online, or print them out and mail it to the address on the form.
Thank you for your interest in considering one of our flock members as an addition to your household and as a cherished family member.