Caring For Your Bird

Caring For Your Bird

Before you purchase a bird please ensure that you have thought carefully about the responsibility of pet ownership. Speak to your local veterinarian and other pet owners, and gather as much information as you can to aid you in your decision. Never buy a bird on impulse - owning a pet is a commitment, which should be carefully considered.

Responsibilities of Bird Purchase

Buying a bird really means that you are prepared to take on a serious commitment for five to ten years depending on the type of bird you choose. The following checklist needs to be considered:

Children purchasing pets

Owning a pet provides a child with companionship and teaches the child responsibility and care for dependent creatures. Parents, however, must at all times guide children in their choice of a pet and the husbandry of the animal, and be prepared to supervise the day-to-day care so that the animal is not neglected through ignorance or loss of interest.

Buying your Bird

Buy your pet from a reputable source. Beware of purchasing it from markets, pet shops, or places where large numbers of pets are kept, unless you are satisfied with the condition of the facilities.

Never purchase a pet that looks or is unwell, or is for sale with other animals that look unwell. It is far better to avoid a problem by taking due care and precaution in selection.

If you are able to take the bird with you when you go to college, will you be able to give her the time and care she needs and deserves even though you may be going to class full time and working a part time/full time job? Remember, she doesn't care or understand that you have three papers due tomorrow and have been on your feet for 15 hours before coming home. She still needs and deserves attention, and when she doesn't get it, her reaction will likely be to yell and scream for attention. She will NOT understand that you have less time and "other things" that are "more important". Will you be able to give her the time she needs? Or will she end up one of the many birds that are shuffled from home to home, or that end up in a rescue?

Will you be able to afford everything your bird care will need...good vet care, good food, good toys, a good cage? If your parents now pay for such things, what will happen when you're on your own? Will you still be able to give her proper care?

Please read the poem "A Cheap Bird's Plea". You can find it on the main page of Mickaboo.org

Please also read The Parrot's Bill of Rights

I don't mean this to discourage anyone from getting a pet bird; birds make WONDERFUL pets for those who are able and willing to care for them. These issues are something that DO need to be taken into consideration, the risks to the bird's happiness and well being are very real. You may get over losing your pet in a few weeks, some birds never get fully over losing their flock(you).

More info about bird care, please visit RSPCA Vic.