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First and foremost, thank you for your interest in adopting/fostering a parrot from a rescue instead of buying.
This is a big step in helping the thousands of birds that are currently residing in rescues waiting for their chance at a forever home.
GTL Parrot Rescue is a family/foster operated, out of pocket parrot rescue in Sarnia, Ontario.
The information you provide here will be used as a form of pre-screening.
Please fill the application form completely.
Incomplete applications are ineligible for consideration.
Submission of your application confirms that you have read and understood the adoption procedures and notes, and indicates your agreement to abide by these guidelines.
Your signature (written or digital) indicates you have read, understand, and agree to all the terms in these guidelines.
GTL will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry),
disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.
GTL Adopts primarily in South Western Ontario.
Parrot adoption fees do apply and fees range based on individual bird.
Please note the following:
A submitted application does not guarantee adoption of a feathered friend from GTL Parrot Rescue,
nor does the application guarantee that the feathered friend chosen is the one that is best suited to meet their wishes.
GTL Parrot Rescue reserves the right to recommend another feathered friend that they feel is best suited to match the application.
Adoptive families must agree to: periodic follow-up calls and/or visits, we will be available to assist you with any challenges you may be having.
GTL Parrot Rescue is committed to our feathered friends, and REQUIRES that they be returned to GTL Parrot Rescue
in the event that they cannot at any time remain in their new home.
Adoption fees are non refundable after a three month period as they basically cover the cost of the birds medical workups and care while with us.
(Sometimes they don't even cover these costs)
Adoption fees are not set by the going rate of the birds. Some require far more in the way of vetting than others.
When applying for a bird(s) please be sure to specify the birds name.
Adoption fees do NOT include cage, toys, food etc. unless otherwise stated in the birds bio.
These items must be purchased, set up and fully functional upon home check.
** 100% of adoption fees goes towards feeding, vetting and caring for the birds in need**
The Adoption Process
The first step in adopting from/fostering for GTL is completion of this online application.
It is imperative references be provided with your application and that the application is fully completed.
GTL staff members or volunteers will review your application and then will contact you with questions, concerns or ask for clarification.
After initial assessment, references will be contacted.
The initial screening process can take 3-10 days contingent on reference response and any clarification requirements.
Upon completion of any prerequisites, you will be invited for a "meet & greet" with the current parrots in our care.
Visits vary in length of time and may include more than one visit.
Once picked by one of the parrots in care, you are ready to move to the final stage of the adoption process, the home check.
The home check is made to ensure your environment is safe and fully functional for the species of parrot that has chosen you.
Cages should be adequate in size and fully fitted with toys and proper stimulus. Food should have already been purchased to meet specific diet requirements and you should already have located a certified avian vet for routine wellness checks, emergency situations and general medial needs.
Once everything has been cleared and any necessary changes made
You are now ready to bring your new parrot home.
This is a big step in helping the thousands of birds that are currently residing in rescues waiting for their chance at a forever home.
GTL Parrot Rescue is a family/foster operated, out of pocket parrot rescue in Sarnia, Ontario.
The information you provide here will be used as a form of pre-screening.
Please fill the application form completely.
Incomplete applications are ineligible for consideration.
Submission of your application confirms that you have read and understood the adoption procedures and notes, and indicates your agreement to abide by these guidelines.
Your signature (written or digital) indicates you have read, understand, and agree to all the terms in these guidelines.
GTL will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry),
disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.
GTL Adopts primarily in South Western Ontario.
Parrot adoption fees do apply and fees range based on individual bird.
Please note the following:
A submitted application does not guarantee adoption of a feathered friend from GTL Parrot Rescue,
nor does the application guarantee that the feathered friend chosen is the one that is best suited to meet their wishes.
GTL Parrot Rescue reserves the right to recommend another feathered friend that they feel is best suited to match the application.
Adoptive families must agree to: periodic follow-up calls and/or visits, we will be available to assist you with any challenges you may be having.
GTL Parrot Rescue is committed to our feathered friends, and REQUIRES that they be returned to GTL Parrot Rescue
in the event that they cannot at any time remain in their new home.
Adoption fees are non refundable after a three month period as they basically cover the cost of the birds medical workups and care while with us.
(Sometimes they don't even cover these costs)
Adoption fees are not set by the going rate of the birds. Some require far more in the way of vetting than others.
When applying for a bird(s) please be sure to specify the birds name.
Adoption fees do NOT include cage, toys, food etc. unless otherwise stated in the birds bio.
These items must be purchased, set up and fully functional upon home check.
** 100% of adoption fees goes towards feeding, vetting and caring for the birds in need**
The Adoption Process
The first step in adopting from/fostering for GTL is completion of this online application.
It is imperative references be provided with your application and that the application is fully completed.
GTL staff members or volunteers will review your application and then will contact you with questions, concerns or ask for clarification.
After initial assessment, references will be contacted.
The initial screening process can take 3-10 days contingent on reference response and any clarification requirements.
Upon completion of any prerequisites, you will be invited for a "meet & greet" with the current parrots in our care.
Visits vary in length of time and may include more than one visit.
Once picked by one of the parrots in care, you are ready to move to the final stage of the adoption process, the home check.
The home check is made to ensure your environment is safe and fully functional for the species of parrot that has chosen you.
Cages should be adequate in size and fully fitted with toys and proper stimulus. Food should have already been purchased to meet specific diet requirements and you should already have located a certified avian vet for routine wellness checks, emergency situations and general medial needs.
Once everything has been cleared and any necessary changes made
You are now ready to bring your new parrot home.
Relinquishment
We are not here to judge, we are here for the birds.
We know that circumstances change and sometimes we are faced with the hard decision of having to rehome our beloved pets.
If you are a bird owner and are having difficulties with your bird and/or feel you can no longer provide the care he/she needs, you are not alone.
We offer a way to give your bird a quality life either by rehoming him/her or keeping it our care depending on his/her personality or medical needs.
When space allows we can also give your beloved companion a temporary safe haven while you sort through whatever short term problems you are having.
We realize that some bird owners may be subject to circumstances beyond their control and don’t have the ability to consider other options.
Or, for some, keeping their bird may not be in the bird’s best interest. If your circumstances include any of the following or one we haven't addressed,
and you feel your situation is hopeless and that there is no other option but to surrender/relinquish your pet bird again we understand.
Each year millions of bird owners are led to believe that birds make wonderful companions and they can in the right home that understands parrot care.
It's often after a bird is brought home that owners discover parrots require more care than they can or are willing and able to provide.
This does not make you a bad person and please do not feel guilty.
GTL is here for your assistance. We will help you with whatever issue you are having with your parrot if you truly want to keep your pet.
Most issues can be resolved with proper education and training techniques for you and your bird. PLEASE contact us so we may provide you with the available options.
Visit our Contact Us page.
If you have used all of the options available to you and you must make the painful decision to surrender/relinquish your beloved bird,
please review all of the information on our attached Relinquishment form.
We will strive to find your beloved bird a perfect home that will ensure it a safe and happy future. We want to help the birds, whatever your situation may be.
We understand that things happen and life is full of change!
If you are worried that the distance is too far for you to travel, we work with an amazing transport group and may be able to arrange transportation for your bird(s)
Also ask us about temporarily fostering your bird until you can sort out a short term situation.
** 100% of relinquishment fees goes towards vetting **
Below is a listing of a few of the reasons that contribute to a bird owner’s decision to surrender/relinquish their pet. Some reasons are preventable some are not.
Before you decide to surrender/relinquish your pet bird, please take into consideration that each time a bird is surrendered, bought/sold, an existing homeless bird will potentially lose his/her opportunity for a loving home with adoptive parents. It also puts his/her trust in humans in question which can lead to more issues and can occasionally cause death due to loneliness/broken heart as well as self destructive behavior depending on how strong your bond was.
1. Screaming, Biting, Mess
Screaming and biting is a “natural” behavior of a parrot. Remember parrots are only two steps away from being “wild.”
Some complain of birds being messy but in actuality the way they eat is similar to how they behave in their natural habitats.
If your bird is too loud and aggressive consider that parrots are “flock” animals and use their voices to communicate with other members of the “flock” over great distances.
Unfortunately most people do not do enough research into the “nature of parrots” prior to bringing one home.
2. Aggression
A bird can become dangerously aggressive when they feel their territory and/or mate is “threatened”.
The bird’s behavior and care demands may become intolerable and some people simply may decide they can’t or will not work with the bird
and will choose to give up the bird for the sake of the human relationship.
A new baby or new family members falls into this category too.
Family member(s) does not “like” the bird and/or the feeling is mutual – Birds are imprinted to mate/bond within the structure of an extended “flock”.
They can become possessive of his/her chosen “mate” and can act extremely aggressive towards others that he/she sees as a “threat” to his/her “mate/bond”.
3. Financial Strain
Parrots are expensive to purchase, feed, house and some have expensive health issues.
They may develop behavioral issues such as feather picking and self mutilation that can add to high veterinary bills.
Some owners neglect to address an issue before it becomes difficult to control because of the expense associated with these health issues.
The bird is the one who suffers here.
If you cannot afford to care for the bird properly then it is time to rehome before illness sets in.
4. Change In Family Status
The end of a marriage or relationship is stressful, both emotionally and financially on everyone in the family including parrots.
Most often both parties will move to rental properties or to a relative’s home that does not or will not allow pets, especially loud parrots.
It could even be detrimental or dangerous for the bird to stay in his/her present home, in which case, we support and encourage surrender.
5. Death
Sometimes when parrots are purchased as companions the fact that they could quite possibly outlive you is never considered.
When death happens and the family members do not want the bird it can become a very stressful situation for the bird(s) as well as the family members.
In a case like this we encourage rehoming to a rescue so the bird does not suffer and the family does not have an extra burden and added stress.