Adoption/Safehousing Application

Parrots are now thought to be the fourth most common household animal after dogs, cats, and fish. So do they make good companions? Despite the fact that they generally are very social and intelligent animals, you may be surprised to learn that for a lot of people the answer is no. Parrots can be amazing companion animals. They are highly trainable, they can be friendly and affectionate, and if treated correctly they will form very strong bonds with their guardians.

The downside is that they demand a huge amount of attention and mental stimulation in order to thrive. Many people eventually find that they cannot give enough time and energy to their birds and we are often asked to step in to assist. Before you continue, you will need to ask yourself some important questions - such as whether or not your house is suitable to house a parrot? Do you have enough time to dedicate to a parrot? Do you have a demanding job that may result in long working hours?

First, we respectfully request that you watch our video, a thought-provoking introduction to the lives of captive parrots...

Parrot Trust Scotland Promo video

Even better, if you have an hour to spare - this is a fantastic documentary made in the USA which mirrors many of the experiences we have here in Scotland and is massively informative for any prospective parrot owner.

PBS Parrot Confidential

The first step after you have applied is a phone call.

One of our members will call you to discuss your application and the adoption process. We aim to contact anyone who put in an application within 10 days of receipt.

Please check your phone for missed calls, voicemails and also emails during this time. Please also check your junk email just incase our email to you goes there.

Once your application and the adoption process has been discussed with our member, if both parties are in agreement, the next step is an educational virtual home visit. This usually takes an hour. You are also sent a copy of the our parrot welfare guideline to read.

We do this because we have a duty of care towards all our parrots and must ensure that they are going to a suitable home. Whilst we are glad to have positive responses to finding homes for our parrots, the directors and members carry these educational home sessions in their own time and expense.

A £25 donation to the charity is therefore requested which not only acknowledges the commitment the directors and volunteers provide but more importantly helps the charity care for the welfare of our parrots.

Please note this is not the adoption donation, which will also be discussed with you.

We thank you for your understanding.

Before proceeding with your application, we must also make potential guardians aware of the costs involved. Parrots are not cheap companions – set up costs can be sizable and monthly upkeep costs surprise many. For example:

Set up costs.
A new cage can cost anywhere between £200 and £600 depending on the size of the bird
A UV light costs around £75
Do you need an air purifier? This can cost between £125 and £400 depending on size/type

Monthly upkeep.
Pellets can cost approx. £14 per month
Fresh fruit/veg can cost £20 per month
Specialist cleaning items - £5 per month
Vitamins and supplements £3 per month

Vet bills
Parrots will require annual check ups including getting their beak and nails trimmed – we estimate that this can cost anything between £100 and £200 per year depending on the vet. Your chosen vet must be an avian specialising vet.

Toys
You bird will shred and destroy toys quickly, and it can become an expensive endeavour trying to keep them entertained – many people resort to making their own toys out of old parts or simply get creative with natural/easily sourced items.

Donation
At Parrot Trust Scotland, we do our best to ensure that Parrots within our care get the best treatment available to try ensure that they experience the best possible standard of living. This often costs the charity a lot of money. Cages, vet care, supplements and toys are all expenses that we incur. To this end, we respectfully request that a donation be given to help ensure the continued support that we can provide parrots everywhere. This donation will be discussed during the home visit. All donations are non-refundable.

2. Do you have enough time to dedicate to a parrot?

• It is recommended that parrots have at least four hours out of their cage every day

3. What experience do you have with birds prior to this application?

4. Parrots need at least 12 hours sleep each night. This is best achieved in a quiet, uninterrupted space.

5. Do you smoke in the house? This includes all forms of smoking (including E-Cigarettes/vaping).

6. Parrots require more nutrition than simply seed mixes. Shops can often sell products which are misleading by using phrases such as "complete seed mix". Parrots require additional fruits and vegetables in order to thrive.

7. Do you have children under the age of 16 in the house?

8. Parrots can bite and pose a signifcant threat to animals, Larger animals can pose a threat to a Parrot.

If you already have birds in your house, you will be required to have them disease tested. All parrots within our care will have been disease tested and therefore we require any already in your household to be tested too. This is for the safety of all birds involved, and the associated vet costs will need to be covered by you prior to any arrangement taking place.

Please provide your contact details

6. What happens next?

Once you are satisfied that the form is complete, please submit using the button below. We aim to respond within 10 working days but please appreciate that our charity is run solely by volunteers who give their time to do this around their own full-time jobs and obligations, and so during particularly busy periods we may take a little longer.

The data we gather and hold is managed in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the Data Protection Act 2018. We will not disclose, or share, personal information supplied by you with any third party organisation without your consent. Our data protection policy is outlined on our website in full for reference if required. We would like to keep you informed about the work we do and of volunteering opportunities that may be of interest to you, however if you do not wish to receive this information please let us know by selecting one of the boxes below beside "further information".

Lastly, may we request that you add "info@parrottrustscotland.org.uk" to your address book/"safe list" within your email client as some of our supporters have experienced our follow up emails going to junk/spam folders.