Unfortunately, many foster parents don't realize they want to adopt the bird until they face losing him. It happens about 25% of the time with budgies. I try to remember to tell potential adopters that any bird could be adopted at any time, without much prior notice, since previously approved adopters are always coming back to adopt another bird (at least they do with budgies), and there's not much lead time then. I've had really good foster homes tell me that yes, the budgie is still available, and then a week later find themselves unable to actually give him up. You cannot just wrench the bird away from them, but it's very annoying. I've found that it minimizes the last minute changes of heart if I let them know as soon as I do that someone is in the queue that wants their particular bird. Then, if the foster parent expresses uncertainty, I can warn the PA.
The bigger problem with the foster parent's response on Jordan is that he felt he could stipulate the living conditions to be provided by the adoptive parents. He could/should have told you earlier if there was something unusual about Jordan that would merit specific requirements being placed on the adoptive home -- not make them conditions of him giving up Jordan for adoption. If we have to negotiate with our foster homes, we'll never get a bird adopted.
All of this said, I think people fixate on tiels more than they do on budgies (except once in a while). We always say that the bird's interest comes first. If we think the foster home would be the best place for the bird, then they should get to keep him. If the new PA appears to be a better environment/custodian, then the bird should move.
I don't have a copy of the foster contract -- what do we say there? Is it a right of first refusal? The implication there is that the foster home can say they want to keep the bird any time we propose to move him, meaning they get to meet the adopter first. If it says something else, we should decide whether it says what we mean.
And bottom line -- they have to actually adopt the bird then and there.
Michelle
Michelle
--- On Wed, 3/4/09, Maria Pangelina