Hi, I am new to the site so just thought I would ask for advice from some of the more long term members . I was reading the newspaper and it said that birdline is crying out for people to rehome parrots and other exotic birds, I have always kept parrots (When I was younger I had african greys, amazons etc) and so decided I should offer a home to bird in need. I would like to adopt one from a rescue organisation rather than buy, I applied today to be a foster carer for an congo african grey called Archie.

I have read all of the site information but wondered if someone could please explain the whole process involved in rehoming birds from birdline.I understand the main points but would like to hear from people who have rehomed birds from this site before and what their experience with birdline was like. Will I be told if I am unsuccessful? Should I expect any emails or anything first or will I just get a phone call one day? At the moment I do not have any birds but I do have dogs will this effect my chances of rehoming a bird? Sorry to be a pain but I would like to know as much as I can about the rehoming process to make sure I am clued up 

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my message

Chelly, I'm sure someone will be along to answer all your questions

where abouts are you? You will need a homecheck first! have you thought about safehouseing too?

hi chelly....welcome to birdline........all of us will have own tales to tell about our fostered birds....me myself i have a mixture from really tame to come near me and ill ur finger off lol....but they all have there different personalities, i wouldnt change any off mine they are all unique in different ways and are loved equally, its a real achievment i find to have a parrot from what ever back ground spend time amd patience to watch them come round, best feeling in the world to know you did that....they trust you....they love you....no better feeling than that.

as for re-homing usually birds are on the list for 2 weeks to give members a chance to see them and apply, then the re-homing team will look at all applications to match the bird to the best home, the re-homing team will let u know either way sucessfull or not, hope that helps

You've got pm.

Rehoming is a great thing to get involved in, the most important thing to bear in mind is to read the information about the bird before applying to foster it. The write ups are usually very acurrate but must not forget that birds have their own personallities and you must bear in mind alot has to do with the environment they are living in. Most people that rehome birds don't experience any major down falls.

The rehoming process can be quite lengthy this is mainly due to the amount of applications the Birdline see for birds and it is also dependent on the bird you are applying for. The rehoming officers will look at each application and then create a shortlist of the most suitable candidates, if you successful in being shortlisted one of the rehoming team will usually give you a call and discuss your application in more detail. If you recieve a call it doesn't necessarily mean you have been sucessful but are being considered alondside other applicants. Please also bear in mind that all the people in Birdline are Volunteers and usually work as well.

You may find that you may not get the first bird you apply for but that does not mean that you will not be successful in the future. Birdline is about the birds and finding the most suitable home for them. As you are probably aware that any rehoming is subject to passing a home check which is usually carried out by your nearest ACO, these home checks are not scarry but guages what you can offer abird and your level of previous experiences with Birds (if you do not have experience it does not stop you rehoming it just means Birdline can support you better).

I'm sure if you speak to any of us that have rehomed birds we will all echo that it is such a rewarding experience and just being a member of Birdline is rewarding in it's self. Birdline allways will support you if you rehome a bird and encounter any problems and if you rehome a bird and it doesn't work out you are strongly encouraged to be honest that you feel that the situation is not working. This will not prevent you rehoming another bird, it may be that the bird is not suited to your environment, sometimes birds come into Birdline with very little history so we do not know the previous stressors of the bird. The bottom line is that the bird must come first.

Anyway I wish you all the luck in the world with your applications you will not regret it and thank you for considering rehoming one of our birds that much need a loving home.

Hi Chelly, dogs, cats, other birds, none of these prevent Safe Housing or Fostering from Birdline. Lack of experience.... we all start off like that. Birdline is a network of people who have all levels of expertise, from complete novice to specialist, there is no-one in Birdline that wouldn't answer a question, and there's no such thing as a silly question. If you don't ask, how are you going to find out? You're going to enjoy this!

Doddie

Hi Chelly,and welcome to birdline. As everyone has said already, let us know where you are and your local aco can give you all the advise and help you need, in deciding the best way forward.
Some members prefer to safehouse initially, and then foster later on.
Either way, it can be the most rewarding experience you will ever have.
A lot of us have fosterered birds, and also keep space for a safehouse bird too.

Thanks very much to everyone for your friendly and informative replies! I am pleased to have become a part of Birdline, every one here seems to (like me) be animal mad and I am amazed with some of the wonderful stories on the site regarding the various birds that have been rescuedI am now considering becoming a safehouse for needy birds although I must admit I'm worried about having to give them up as I know how attatched I will get! I am definatly going to apply to foster as I know I can offer a loving forever home to a special bird and am willing to wait as long as it takes until bird line can find the bird most suitable to my family. I am located in Cambridgeshire (St.Neots to be exact) I am going on holiday on sunday and will be away for 2 weeks(first holiday in 5 years, very excited!) and am worried that I will get my phone call while I am away! If I miss the opportunity or find myself unsuccessful in fostering the bird I choose will birdline keep my details and offer me a bird they think is better suited or will I have to keep applying for different birds until I find my special feathery friend?

xxx

Hi Chelly and welcome. I am sure that Lesley G will be along soon and will be thrilled to meet you if she hasn't already as I think you are in her area.

Bumped, to help Lesley find you Chelly!

OH COME TO MUMMY.........do you know how much we love safe houses??????????

Especially in my area.....lol  Please drop me a pm with your contact details and I will give you a call if you like. You would be welcome to 'pop' over to visit my flock some time and we can chat. Obviously I would need to do a home check for you at some point too...

And big thanks to Sharon for drawing my attention to your post!!!