We need to take this policy proposal to the next step - which is asking for donations of transport carriers to be assigned to foster homes. Please see Michelle's note below for sizes.
This is a good time also to ask for other items always in short supply for larger birds:
1. Dishes that fit in large cages or can be securely attached to cage bars;
2. Large perches measuring 24", 30", 32", 34", 36", 38", 40", 48" in length. Perches should be hard woods that allow for disinfecting or new large cotton or sisal perches as long as possible.
3. Large toys or even clean untreated pine cut into 2" x 2" chunks. If you have time to drill a hole in the chunks that would be a bonus.
NOW THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS GOING TO BE DROP OFF LOCATIONS FOR THESE ITEMS. If anyone is willing to be a collection point please let me know and we will arrange to retrieve donations and store them in areas accessible for transport volunteers.
Thanks very much for helping.
Michelle Yesney wrote:
Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2007 23:13:02 -0700 (PDT)
From: Michelle Yesney
To: discuss@mickaboo.com, admins@mickaboo.com
Subject: [Mickaboo Admins] Large bird carriers
Claudia has pointed out that we need a better system of ensuring that big bird foster homes have big bird carriers. So here is my proposal for an approach -- please feel free to comment on, amend, and improve it. Please keep in mind that this is a goal -- it will take us a while to get to the point of having carriers that we can move freely, but it is a worthwhile goal.
The types needed are medium size dog carriers for macaws, and the airline approved "under seat" carriers or small cat carriers for medium and large birds without long tails. The carrier needs to be in place for any time the bird has to go to the vet -- and sometimes there isn't much warning.
The arrangement we are suggesting is that any foster home approved for large birds (especially Amazon and macaw sized, but probably greys and cockatoos also) should have a carrier, starting from the day they receive a foster bird.
We are discussing having a "carrier stash" in different locations around the region. Claudia would keep some with her, and we need to identify a location in the south bay, one in the east bay, and one in the Sacramento area. A stash might just be one or two carriers. [Related idea -- if we have available large bird dishes, they might be kept with the carriers for when they are needed.]
In some cases, the foster parent will offer to purchase the carrier; if they agree to do so (or if they indicate they already have one), we just need to be sure that it is there and available for when a bird might need to be transported to a vet.
SO -- NEXT TASK -- if the opportunity arises, we can and should solicit donations of large bird carriers. If someone offers a large bird carrier, please let me, Claudia, or Katie Franz know. We'll try to direct them to an appropriate storage location. When a foster bird is adopted [IMPORTANT DISTINCTION HERE] the carrier stays at the foster home. When a foster home decides to stop fostering, we should always be sure to collect our equipment -- cages, carriers, etc.
The carriers need to go into the equipment inventory as soon as we get them. ID tags need to be attached immediately. Let Melinda know: freedbyrde@juno.com
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Claudia Melteff
Macaw Adoption Coordinator
Mickaboo
(650) 583-1940
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