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Avian Boarding

by

Karlene R. Sunday

 

Would the best place to board your avian companion be at the veterinarian’s office?

Most avian veterinarians would say "No" because boarding places infectious risks on all creatures boarded.

The analogy most often referred to is: "Would you want to stay at a hospital if you were on vacation". Would you want to be surrounded by sick people and put yourself at risk of infection? The same holds true for your avian companion.

Placing your avian companion at a veterinarian’s office for boarding puts them at risk for disease and especially if they are in the same room with other exotics. The only safe way to board your avian companion would be if they had the luxury of their own "air space". That would mean they have a room to themselves and the surrounding environment is controlled. An additional luxury to enhance your avian companion's "air space" would be if an air purification system were available to them at all times which would greatly reduce the risk of cross infection. In reality, these luxuries are limited in number and would increase the cost of boarding, if they were available.

Boarding at pet stores should also be avoided for obvious reasons.

The bottom line is: You should not board your avian companion at any location where sick birds are kept or are being seen on a regular basis.

The best choice when you are going on vacation is to keep your avian companion in your home. Seek out a qualified "pet sitter", preferably one that is knowledgeable with birds. You should only allow one person or a couple in your home to reduce the stress on your avian companion while you are away. Sometimes the "pet sitter" may want to show off their new charges and this should be discouraged wholeheartedly. Make sure you provide enough supplies to last the "pet sitter" for the duration of your trip. Keep your avian veterinarian’s number available to the "pet sitter" in case of an emergency. Have a list of basic questions to ask the "pet sitter" to help prepare them in caring for your avian companions.

Here are a few basic questions to get you started:

  1. Have you ever cared for a bird before? If so, how long?
  2. Have you ever cared for a Macaw, Cockatoo, Eclectus, African Grey, Amazon, etc? (Specific to your birds)
  3. Do you own any birds of your own?
  4. Have you had your birds tested recently for psittacosis? If so, what were the results?
  5. Do you know what a blood feather is?
  6. Could you handle a blood feather emergency?
  7. Can you follow the feeding schedule I have outlined?
  8. Would you be willing to change their water twice a day?
  9. What would you do if you were bitten?
  10. Do you smoke? If yes, please request they not smoke in your home.

You can always do what most full fledged bird brains do while on vacation. Call your "pet sitter" and ask for an avian update. Then have your "pet sitter" put the phone near your avian companion and ask them how they are doing?