Rescue Myths
Common misconceptions about rescue groups
Myth
Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue is so desperate to find homes for their birds that they should just give people whatever bird they want so they can help more birds.
Truth
Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue works to find the RIGHT home for a bird. There are many factors to consider when adopting out a bird to a family:
- What is the family's lifestyle, and does it match the needs of the bird?
- Does the bird have special needs, health considerations, and is the family able to provide the care for the bird? Some birds will need to take medications, or have conditions that will require extra veterinary care.
- Is the family familiar with the particular species of bird, and do they understand that particular bird's traits? Many birds are given up by owners to shelters and rescues because their original owner was unaware of the needs and personality of the bird. Again, we want people to make informed decisions, and a good rescue will help them select a bird that matches their lifestyle and own personality.
- Is the family able to provide the taming and training that the bird needs? Some birds that enter rescue are already tame and sweet. However, a lot of the birds will require some taming and training and can be very destructive.
These are only a few of the things that Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue considers when adopting out a bird. Our goal is always to make sure that the family is adequately prepared for the bird they have chosen, that they are able to make a LIFETIME commitment to the bird, and that the bird will be happy, safe, secure and part of the family.
Myth
Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue is a good place to give up a bird, especially if I'm in a rush to find it a home.
Truth
Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue is staffed by a few volunteers. These generous people have full-time jobs, and donate their time to helping birds find homes. When Mickaboo is unable to assist immediately with picking up a bird or finding it a home, people sometimes assume that we don't care. It isn't that we don't care, but rather that there simply aren't enough resources (time, foster homes, financial assistance) to help every person who has a bird to give up. Those needing assistance must be patient when working with us, we are unpaid volunteers that give up most of our free time to help birds in need. When contacting Mickaboo, allow a couple of days for us to get back to you.
Myth
Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue is just trying to make money. The birds should be available for free -- they shouldn't charge an adoption fee.
Truth
Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue has horrendous expenses. Veterinary care costs money, and most months we spend over $15,000 on vet care alone. Many of the birds that enter Mickaboo have had little or no previous veterinary care and often come with lots of health problems. There are also transportation costs, phone bills, and other miscellaneous expenses involved in rescue, and adoption fees and donations help to cover these costs.
Myth
Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue will go into my neighbor's yard and take their neglected bird(s) in order to find it a new home.
Truth
Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue will not violate the law and "bird-nap." If you see a bird that you feel is being neglected, call your local animal control. However, understand that often animal control is unable to assist except in the most extreme cases of neglect involving lack of food, water or shelter. If you have already called animal control, another option is to ask your neighbors if they still want the bird. Often these people are glad to have someone offer to assist their bird, and will gladly give the bird to you. If they do still want the bird and you yourself decide to "bird-nap", you may help the first bird but generally people like this will replace the bird with yet another that will be put outside or otherwise neglected.