And I especially like the thought that we have funds lying around for each bird we have in foster care, waiting for them to get sick. If only!
Sent from my Peek - Pam
-------------------------------------
From: Pam Hemphill
To: glassgerrie@earthlink.net;stephensfw@mindspring.com;Rebecca.Katz@sfgov.org;Kat.Brown@sfgov.org;adoptkings@gmail.com;pambudgie@yahoo.com;tammyazzaro@gmail.com
Subject: Answers to questions regarding the AFA proposal for re-homing birds/ from Mary Ellen LePage
Date: Sep 16, 1:58 PM
Hi all,
This is Mary Ellen's response. Somehow I think that she has good intentions,
but definitely does not see the full picture. See what you think.
Pam
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mary Ellen LePage
Date: Thu, Sep 16, 2010 at 9:13 AM
Subject: RE: Questions regarding the AFA proposal for re-homing birds
To: Pam Hemphill
Cc: Marilyn Hawley
Dear Pam,
Please forgive the tardy response. I had started to respond before my
computer self-destructed (thanks to the incompetent staff at the Microsoft
help desk). It has taken me this long to get some of my programs
re-installed and the mail files found.
In answer to your questions:
With regard to your first bullet point, what happens if the AFA cannot find
a new home and the person who surrendered the bird cannot take the bird
back?
Then you will be in no worse a situation then you are now. I think I will
be able to place most birds.
Regarding your second bullet point, what does "pet quality" mean?
Pet quality usually means that the bird is handleable, but there are even
some people that do not require their pet bird to be handleable. Some like
them for their other characteristics - beauty, talking ability, antics,
song, etc.
Regarding your sixth bullet point, what are the "other alternatives" for
"apparently ill" birds?
That would have to be determined on a case by case basis. Handicapped birds
are usually very adoptable. There is usually someone that will open their
heart and home to a handicapped bird. For example, I dearly love my
congenitally blind dog. Some "rescues" have donation funds to care for sick
but curable birds. Currently Mickaboo has donation funds to give all their
birds veterinary care. They could use those funds to only give veterinary
care to the birds that really need it. Some birds are so sick that
euthanasia might be appropriate to save them pain and suffering. This might
include birds with serious bird viral diseases.
What about birds that are abandoned in an apartment, or found in a park, or
a backyard, etc. and have no known owner? Many birds come to ACC in that
way.
These are the birds we most want to help.
Does the AFA provide any vet care for birds?
The AFA will not provide any kind of care. All care and transport will be
done entirely by the adopting member. I will only set up a system to match
available birds with educated members willing to re-home the bird. The
re-homer will have to sign a legally approved Informed Consent document
stating that the total care is their responsibility, that all possible
health risks are identified and that they agree to the risk, and that the
City of San Francisco and AFA will be held harmless if there are any
problems.
How will the surrendered birds live out their lives? Will they be pets or
breeders or go to a sanctuary or?
All of above and more. Eligible members would include pet owners, breeders,
veterinarians and vet techs, rescues, sanctuaries, behaviorists, zoos, and
probably more that I cannot remember.
Does the offer extend to the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill?
The offer extends to all exotic birds brought to your agency. I hope you
are not planning to try to capture the wild parrots. They are an important
part of San Francisco.
Please note that this is not a contract and that this draft proposal may
need to be changed by either you or us as we are working our way through it
and identifying situations that might need to be addressed differently. It
would be an interesting pilot program. I don't expect 100% success with
re-homing all birds, but I think the percentage will be high.
Please also note that if you agree to this proposal, I will have to get
final approval from my AFA Board of Directors that meet quarterly. The next
meeting is the end of October.
Thank You.
Mary Ellen LePage
*Pam Hemphill, Commissioner
Animal Control and Welfare Commission*
*San Francisco, California*
