Are you thinking of adding to your feathered family? Have you considered adoption? There are many wonderful companion parrots looking for just the right home.

The Alaska Bird Club helps put bird owners, who need to re-home their birds, together with families willing to take on the lifetime responsibility of entertaining, loving, and caring for an avian companion. Do you think you fit the bill? This is an awesome task, and one that needs to be considered by all family members.

If you know someone interested in getting a companion bird, the best gift you can give them is knowledge. Help them make the right decision for a companion that will be with them for many, many years.

Some great gift suggestions would be:

The Alaska Bird Club is dedicated to helping people with pet birds across the State. Let’s face it; sometimes, birds need help with their humans, too! It is our belief that with proper education, people can learn both the joys of owning a bird and the downfalls of owning a bird and then make more educated decisions on what they need or want to do. For this service, The Alaska Bird Club does not require a fee, but donations to offset our costs are always appreciated! If anyone ever tells you they have a "free" bird, it’s an injustice to the bird and to the potential owners who soon find that there is an emotional, financial, physical and time commitment required, none of which is "free." Our ultimate goal is to help people keep their bird, but sometimes it just doesn't work out.

If you find yourself in a position of wanting to adopt a bird, or give up a bird, The Alaska Bird Club will try to help. The Adopt-a-Bird Program offers an avenue to put people in touch with other people depending on their need. If possible, our program assists and responds in emergency circumstances such as owner illness or death, lost/found, and loose/abandoned birds. We work in collaboration with local shelters and responsible authorities in providing safe care and housing to confiscated bird. Since we are a non-profit, all-volunteer organization, we use all funds collected to run ads, print materials and offset other expenses incurred. We also always strongly, encourage new bird owners to get a basic veterinary health check and blood work done before taking any bird into their home.

There is a wealth of information on the Internet and by networking with other "bird" people, such as in our club meetings. We strongly encourage you to do your research and homework regarding the species of parrot you are considering adopting. If you need help, contact someone in The Alaska Bird Club.

It is strongly recommended that Re-homing Owners and the selected Adoptive parties sign an agreement authorizing transfer of any birds. Conditions for future visitation and contact with between the Re-homing Owner and Adoptive placement should be agreed upon (in writing) prior to transfer of the bird. The Alaska Bird Club will not mediate disputes, make placement recommendations or act in any other capacity other than as a clearinghouse for adoptions and re-homings

The Alaska Bird Club assumes no responsibility for the quality, health or training of any birds placed in this program. In addition, The Alaska Bird Club, its officers and members will not be held liable for any damage or illness brought about by a bird secured via this program. The Alaska Bird Club does not accept any endangered or illegally owned birds into the program. At times a phone call to the Anchorage Police Department and/or the State Troopers will be made to check on reported stolen birds if an unusual bird or one of high-dollar value is referred for re-homing. Animal Control is always checked when a bird has been reported as found.

Revised 2012-05-26

The Alaska Bird Club • P.O. Box 101825 • Anchorage AK 99510
akbirdclub@yahoo.com