The Adoption Process

Adoption and Rescue Program:

It is the goal of the Capital District Pet Bird Club to provide loving and lasting homes for rescued, abandoned, and abused birds. We also work to provide homes for birds whose owners, for whatever reason, can no longer care for them. 

On becoming an adoptive bird "parent":

Occasionally, the club receives phone inquiries from people looking to find new homes for their pet birds. Some of our club members have obtained birds placed through the adoption process. A formal application process is required, as the club seeks to ensure that all birds are placed with responsible owners who will provide "forever homes" -- care on a permanent basis.

If you are interested in participating in the CDPBC bird adoption program, you are encouraged to fill out an application on this site.  Adoption applications are processed individually with the utmost attention and the overriding goal of providing the most appropriate matches between birds and prospective new families.

Before submitting your applicaton:

Please consider the following:

• Not all applicants will be able to adopt.  We take the adoption process very seriously.  We understand, and hope you will too, that not everybody is cut out to be a bird owner.  Placing a bird with the wrong adopting family is simply a recipe for disaster.  It won't be good for the bird and likely will be a nightmare for the adopters as well.  For that reason, CDPBC reserves the right to, at its own discretion, refuse an adoption for any purpose.  We always strive to educate our prospective adopters -- if it isn't to be, the decision is not based on a decision about you, but to act in the best interest of the bird.
• should you adopt a bird via the CDPBC, you do so with the understanding that the bird should under no circumstances ever be sold or given away.  Should extenuating circumstances occur whereby the new owner cannot keep the bird, the bird will become the property of CDPBC and must be returned for re-adoption.
• If you are considering adopting your first bird, don't let that fact discourage you from submitting an application -- the club is more than willing to provide advice and education to brand new and veteran bird owners alike.  But if you are a first timer, consider a few things about being a bird parent:

• • • Most pet birds require a tremendous amount of dedication, attention and TIME.  Parrots of all types especially require a great deal of attention, mental stimulation and time outside their cages.  Parrots are exceptionally intelligent and social creatures and 24 hours a day in a cage is like a life sentence in prison!  Birds who are ignored, or not given the proper amount of attention from their owners (and this can mean several hours every single day!) can develop a host of psychological and physical problems including screaming, biting and self-mutilation.
    • A proper, balanced diet is imperative to the health and well-being of your bird.  Food costs are an ongoing consideration which, depending on the size and nutritional needs of your bird, can be expensive.
    • Medical care should be provided by a Veterinarian with an Avian specialty -- optimally an Avian Certified vet.  Medical costs are not cheap and should be considered through the life of your bird which, depending on the breed, could be anywhere from ten to fifty or more years!
    • While on the subject of lifespan, take that seriously into consideration!  Are you ready for a companion pet who could very well be a member of your family for the rest of your life (and perhaps even beyond)?
    • Birds can be exceptionally noisy and messy!  Some birds can realistically live in an apartment setting, but others most certainly cannot.  The scream of some breeds of macaws and cockatoos can be heard over a mile away!  Mess, both inside and outside a bird's cage can be tough to keep up with.  Birds can be destructive, chewing on things they see as toys that you might see as important family heirlooms or furniture.  Supervision is of the utmost importance, as well as a collection of brooms and dust pans -- and a good, durable vacuum!
    • Many bird owners compare the personality of a parrot to that of an eternal two year old child.  Some people find that a fascinating and fun, but others cringe at the thought.  Birds can be affectionate and demanding, rewarding and frustrating.

• If you're still interested in adopting after reading all of this -- and we hope you are -- be sure to fill out and submit the application!  While there are many 'minuses' to consider before owning a bird, we believe the positives vastly overshadow the negatives.  More than likely your new bird will quickly become an indispensable part of your family and your charitable act in adopting a bird from CDPBC will repay you many times over during the life of your new companion.