I have been getting a lot of requests from people who want me to take their birds, but they are not very nice about it, so I posted the following ads on Craigs List, and I'm hoping that people show some consideration to the work we do here at Kasias Ark.

I cannot believe the number of birds that people are posting here because they really need to "rehome" their birds. Let's just be honest and admit that you no longer want to be bothered with the bird you made a commitment to. And of course my FAVORITE is Rehoming fee will apply to cover the cost put into the bird. I have gotten quite a few emails from people posting their birds here, wanting me to take them, but STILL telling me that I will need to pay a rehoming fee. So to all of those who need to "get rid" of their birds, PLEASE only email me if you are willing to surrender the bird to me. I don't ask you to provide food, cage or toys that go with your bird, because you make the excuse that you want to recover some of the cost that you put into the bird. But what a lot of people don't realize is that I will now have to go and spend money on another cage, more bowls and food to do YOU the favor of taking an unwanted bird off your hands. A lot of people don't even want to fill out the form that I ask you to fill out when you are surrendering your bird to me, don't worry, it's for my records only so that know where each bird came from, what date, etc. I will NOT send the bird police to your house. What part of the word RESCUE don't you understand? I don't NEED another bird, but I will take it because you no longer want it. I have several birds, some are handicapped, some under constant veterinary care, and donations are welcome. So if you contact me to take the bird off your hands, PLEASE try to be considerate, donating the cage so that the bird is in the cage that he is used to. Taking a bird from the environment he is used to is VERY stressful on the bird. Having his own cage, toys and bowls will make the transition that much easier on your bird. After all, don't YOU want what's best for your bird that you want to go to a GOOD HOME only?

Now let me tell you what happens after I get your bird. He gets a vet check to make sure that I will not introduce a sick bird into my flock. He gets his own spot in my bird room and the first few days I don't bother him so that he gets used to the new surroundings. I feed him, water him, offer treats, sing and talk to him. Obviously I cannot keep every bird that I take in, so I try to find him a perfect forever home. But that is a very long (usually about 6 months) process. I will not just turn your bird over to the first person who says they want him. They will have to fill out applications, have several phone interviews, send me references, and then when I decide that they ARE going to provide a proper home for your bird, I start to make transportation arrangements. I do NOT ship birds. As I write this, two of my ducks that I had rescued 6 months ago are on the road with my friend to their new forever home. Their transport started on Wednesday, when I drove them from Kenner to Pearl River and dropped them off with my friend who used to run a duck rescue. She and her husband left yesterday morning and headed to Florida. Late last night they got to Milton, Fl. and left early this morning to head to Chiefland, Fl. In the meantime, I'm making phone calls and emailing my OTHER friend who lives in Tampa, Fl. to make sure that they are right on track with meeting my friend in Chiefland at noon tomorrow so that the ducks can be handed over to her, and then my Tampa friend will take them to Naples to their forever home. I do not ask a "rehoming fee" to "recoup some of the cost I put into the bird". I don't tell the people who are adopting from me that a rehoming fee will assure me that they will give the bird a good home. There are a number of other ways to check and make sure they take good care of a pet. And believe it or not, just because a person CAN afford a large rehoming fee, doesn't mean that they will take good care of an animal. After all, didn't YOU spend money on the bird? Now you no longer want your bird, so before you go and say that if someone can't afford a rehoming fee it means they won't take good care of your pet, go take a look in the mirror!

So you see, you handing your bird over to me is just the beginning. Your bird may be so traumatized that they are not suitable pets. Like I posted yesterday here (That ad appears below this one) I have a bird that I cannot even touch! I have a lot of handicapped ones as well, broken legs, wings, one eye missing, etc. And since nobody will adopt a handicapped pet, they get to stay with me. But that's OK, I love them all. They bring me joy and they go to visit handicapped children to show them that just because you are handicapped doesn't mean you are not SPECIAL.

I enjoy doing what I do. I DON'T get paid for it. I am NOT rich, and I can't afford to pay YOU a rehoming fee because I have birds that I have to provide for already. I don't NEED your bird, but I will take it because you no longer WANT it. I will keep it safe, love it, feed it and take it to my avian vet if I need to. I don't ask for donations, but if you feel generous, donations are ALWAYS welcome. My pantry is full of different kinds of bird food, seeds, nuts, treats, etc. I have a whole cabinet full of bird related medications, vitamins, antibiotics, first aid care, syringes (for feeding baby birds), and if I don't have it, I will get it.

So all I ask is before you email me and ask me to take your bird, PLEASE be considerate. Don't get mad at me because I can't pay you a rehoming fee. Don't tell me that since I can't pay a rehoming fee I must not be suitable enough to take good care of your bird. I always give references, my first being my avian veterinarian, I send photos and videos to you to show you how happy my birds are. Just show a little consideration to those of us who dedicate their lives to rescuing needy animals.

Thank you! 

Here is the other ad:

I'm a bird rescuer, and a few months ago there was an ad here on Craigs List about a bird this guy needed to rehome ASAP or he would just set him free outside. This is a Nanday Conure, raised in captivity and of course there is no way he would have survived in the wild even a day had this man set the bird free. Now, I have several already that I am rehabilitating from injuries, or orphaned, etc. I needed another bird like I need a hole in the head. But I couldn't sit there and just ignore the ad, so I emailed him. He didn't want to come to my house to drop the bird off, and so I ended up making the 2 hour trip out of town to get the bird. When I get there, he wanted a $200 REHOMING FEE! I told him no where in his ad did he mention a rehoming fee, and the several emails I have exchanged with him not once did he state there was a rehoming fee. But you see, he spent MONEY on this birds cage, food, bowls and perches, and it would be a COMPLETE loss if he just GAVE me the bird!

There I was, getting a bird I didn't need, not knowing his age, personality, anything, I just wanted him to get a fair chance at a happy life. Never MIND the food, cage, and everything I would have to pay for to add another bird to my family. Vet check to make sure the bird was healthy, medication if it was not. I already am up to my ears with vet bills from vet checks and emergency surgeries, and of course running a bird rescue is not cheap either. And this man was arguing with me demanding I write a check and POST DATE IT! Needless to say, I turned around and walked off, ANGRY, because he wasted my time and my gas. When he saw I was about to drive off, he ran after me and told me I can just "take the damn bird" but the cage, food, perches, and everything else STAYS with him so he can sell it and get SOME money for it. He gave me the poor bird in a cardboard box.

I have had Conrad for 3 months now. He is so scared, he refuses to come out of his cage, he is not friendly at all and he screams a lot. I think this man may have abused him or mistreated him. I'm not rich, but I love every little creature that I rescued. They get attention, love, food and veterinary care if they need it, despite the fact that I don't always have $200 for a vet visit or $600 for emergency surgery, I am thankful that my vet is willing to work with us on a payment plan.

What REALLY matters is not what kind of car I drive or what brand clothes I wear, but when a duck snuggles up next to me or a bird sits on my shoulder playing with my hair and makes me laugh, that is PRICELESS!