I specify in my first contact letter that we do not put a hold on a specific bird so any PA should not have

an expectation that a particular bird will be available to them.  With macaws I require two visits to the bird

and if the second visit goes well, I will put a "hold" on and tell other PAs the bird is about to be adopted.

 

Re:  foster parents.  When I have a serious contender for a specific bird almost at the end of the approval

process I let the foster parents know so they can make their decision about adopting.  It can be frustrating

if they vacillate and don't sign the contract, etc.  I will then tell them we don't do false advertising and if the

bird is still available we will schedule a home visit.  That usually gets them motivated. 

 

I do all of my own phone interviews and when I am talking to the PA will ask what they like about a

specific macaw.  Then I say in the event that bird is no longer available, let me tell you about other

birds that I think would do well in your home.....   That way they are not totally bummed if the bird they

wanted is not available when they are approved.

Macaw Coordinator
Mickaboo

----- Original Message -----
From: "Maria Pangelina" <maria@mickaboo.org>
To: leadershipgroup@mickaboo.org
Sent: Wednesday, March 4, 2009 1:26:29 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: [Leadershipgroup] Foster Parents Right to Adopt

Hello Everyone, I've run into a problem too many times recently and I'd like to know if there is anything we can do about it. It is very frustrating when I contact a foster parent about a PA who wants to meet their foster bird and they tell me that they want to adopt the bird. I know that foster parents have first option of adopting their fosters but can we put in some sort of stipulation that they must let us know BEFORE there is interest in their foster? And if they do not, the PA is allowed to come and meet the bird and adopt if they choose? I am dealing with two situations such as this right now and I just don't think that it is fair to the PA. Many set their sights on a specific bird. And the bird remains on the "Available" page on the website. I contact the foster parent to let them know to please contact the PA for a meeting...and at that point they say something like..."Oh, my husband has fallen in love with the bird and we just cannot give her up". I then have the job of letting the PA know that the bird is no longer available and they are wondering why the bird is still on the available page if that is the case. Many get *very* upset. One lady told me she didn't want to talk to me any longer and she handed the phone to her husband. I totally agree that foster parents should be allowed to adopt first if they choose. But I also think that they should not be able to wait until someone else wants to adopt their foster. If no one else is having this problem, can I put in a stipulation for cockatiels only? Thoughts? Maria ============================= Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue "Don't buy, don't breed....... ADOPT! "Within yourselves let grow a boundless love for all creatures. Strive for this with a one-pointed mind; your life will bring heaven to earth." ~ The Buddha
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