On Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 1:26 PM, Maria Pangelina
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 don't think it's done maliciously - sometimes it's not until you are told the bird may be taken away that you realize just how much you can't stand the thought of that happening. That happened twice with my family (once to my son, once to me). And honestly, if we are interested in what's best for the bird and the foster home is a good one, then what's best is the bird not being uprooted yet again if it can have a forever home where it has been living for the last while (however long that is).
I am dealing with two situations such as this right now and I just don't think that it is fair to the PA.
I do my best remember to advise my PAs up front that the foster homes have first right of refusal - and explain the thoughts I just typed above. I also get in touch with my foster homes to say "I have someone working through the system right now who is potentially interested in X" so that the foster parents get that "wake up call" a little sooner. That way, if they decide they want to adopt, I can let the PA know beforehand rather than it happening once the PA is approved and ready to meet the bird. This year I've had three foster parents adopt - and two of those happened to one PA, although to be fair the first foster parents had decided to adopt over the weekend and before they could email me that Monday, I emailed them about the PA. I actually joked with my PA saying "ok, which bird would you like to see adopted by their foster parent next?" ~ Ailsa