I was talking to a friend of mine today about how much I love each and every one of my budgies (and other birds) and how I have four new babies atm, then an hour later her friend was asking me about buying a baby budgie off me... Now, realistically I cannot keep every baby that I breed, if I did I wouldnt achieve what I want in my breeding line, so I will have to part with a few babies every now and then - but I am very selective in where my babies go and I know that this home isnt for my babies. I wondered what other people did in this situation, and who actively selects homes for their budgies.

 

(Its not that I have anything personally against this lady, its just I know she treats her animals as possessions not part of the family, where as everyone of my animals is as loved as my children- the deciding factor was when her 10 year old said Mum killed the last budgie by leaving it outside in its cage in the middle of winter!)

I think it's great that you're selective about it, there are SO many people who are completely awesome as people but would still make very bad budgie owners. I've experienced that even the seemingly BEST home can turn out to be a nightmare and I had to learn that the hard way...it's tough and I don't see how people in rescue do it. It was sort of a foster situation for me but it just turned out horrible and I won't go into it but thankfully some of the birds DID make it back to me with a lot of effort.

 

I think it's extremely important to be thorough. You might have a great friend who would love the birds but not have money for vet bills. Or another who has the money but wouldn't spend it on a "$20 pet."

 

The most important thing I've learned, and probably the most important thing you can do (aside from asking a TON of questions and being selective, as you are) is writing up a contract that states that should the owner change their mind, neglect the bird, etc. it goes back to YOU and no one else! This should be made clear and even if they agree to it verbally, you need it in writing as well.

 

I have a friend who would have loved to take on the budgies I was rehoming and despite the fact that I've known him for many, many years I had to say no. It was tough, but they get over it.

Edited October 12, 200618 yr by eterri

I was talking to a friend of mine today about how much I love each and every one of my budgies (and other birds) and how I have four new babies atm, then an hour later her friend was asking me about buying a baby budgie off me... Now, realistically I cannot keep every baby that I breed, if I did I wouldnt achieve what I want in my breeding line, so I will have to part with a few babies every now and then - but I am very selective in where my babies go and I know that this home isnt for my babies. I wondered what other people did in this situation, and who actively selects homes for their budgies.

 

(Its not that I have anything personally against this lady, its just I know she treats her animals as possessions not part of the family, where as everyone of my animals is as loved as my children- the deciding factor was when her 10 year old said Mum killed the last budgie by leaving it outside in its cage in the middle of winter!)

 

 

What you can do is give the person a list of do's and dont's if you feel they are going to look after them but maybe are a littlle shy on know how as to what a budgie needs?

I'm sure that this was the reason that bird died as she did'nt know how to look after it. Sad but probably true.

Edited October 12, 200618 yr by Clonmel_Man

I don't think even a list of do's and donts would assist this person, and I am sorry if that sounds judgemental but she has asked for and I have offered her advice on several occasions (mostly regarding her dog, but also her budgies) and sadly it goes in one ear and out the other. At the end of the day I want my babies to go to homes where they will be treated like or better than they are now. All my animals are treated like a part of the family, even my avairy birds have a soft spot in my heart (and me in theirs going by the fact that the moment I walk in there over half of them use me as the perch!)

I am glad you feel this way. Remember that at the end of the day, they are YOUR budgies to rehome as YOU think is best, and if this person does not fit that category, then they do not get the bird. And you do not have to feel bad about not giving that baby bird up to that particular household, no matter what anyone says. If you do not think they are capable of taking care of that baby bird the way you think they should, then judgemental or not, too bad. You have to be judgemental in this case. And that is not a bad thing.

Gut feeling I raise my budgies for hand raised pets and that is what I go by. And just chatting with them for a few minutes ask them off topic questions, like what they do, like you would get to know a new person in the office, your gut will tell you the last person I had here was mentioning something about his wife then, talked about how he gave his last budgies away to the spca because the wouldn't produce babies for him, its amazing what people will say! And also ask money, and it doesn't have to be cheap, 50$ isn’t a lot to ask for a well bred, healthy, happy budgie, it make take more time, but when the right person comes along you could give baby to them for less if you feel inclined to do so, the price just weeds out the ‘cheap’ people. But 100% if your gut is acting up they are no good.

Good luck :dbb1:

Edited October 14, 200618 yr by August