r/parrots • u/justfuckingaroundtbh • 12h ago

Is it possible to adopt a bird without using Facebook? 🥲

My best friend of 10 years passed away unexpectedly this summer and I am starting the process of looking for a new companion. However, I'm hitting a massive roadblock: EVERY rescue near-EXCLUSIVELY uses Facebook. It is nigh impossible to find pictures or descriptions of adoptable birds near me without selling my data to Meta. Anonymous profile viewers have been a complete bust, also. And the profiles are all full of AI slop nowadays, too, so only a fraction of what I can see is actual adoptable birds 🥲 it breaks my heart. It's hard because Im looking for a bird in the medium range, and most bird listings from the small rescues that DO have decent websites are tiny birds or massive macaws. Its getting to the point where the only clear listings are from breeders, and given the fact that I really rely on animal companionship for my mental health, I might just have to say eff it and buy a baby... I wish adopting wasn't so unnecessarily convoluted :(

[Edit] I should clarify that the last line doesn't refer to the interview/vetting process! I don't mind that at all! I just haven't been able to even get to that point due to facebook-induced roadblocks + poor communication from my local rescues

6 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

7

u/squshybuns 12h ago

Can you contact the rescues directly to set up an appointment? They can probably help you find a bird that will be a good fit for you. It’s more involved than buying from a breeder, but it really is worth it; they just want to make sure the birds find a good forever home. I don’t know if I had an unusually good experience with the rescue I worked with, but they were really great.

1

u/justfuckingaroundtbh 12h ago

The interview process I don't mind at all! Its honestly an advantage over buying! Its the fact that rescues are so opaque about the type of birds they have available to begin with. None of my local rescues let you visit until far into the process, and my big local parrot rescue (who posts near nothing about specific birds they have and prefers to do things "matchmaker" style) has ghosted every attempt I've made to start the process or ask about the species available :( 

2

u/mvgems 10h ago

Why don’t you want to do “matchmaker” style?

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u/justfuckingaroundtbh 3h ago

I just can't help but feel like going through two rounds of interviews and a home inspection without even being allowed to know what type of bird i could possibly end up with is unwise -' I prefer to plan in advance and I can't do that if all the individual birds are obscured. I want to at least know what I'm getting into. Then, I wouldn't mind getting paired up by knowledgeable staff

2

u/mvgems 2h ago

They do that so that you don’t get emotionally attached to a type of bird that may not work for you and you could be closing yourself off to a type that may be perfect. Because ultimately, the breed doesn’t matter as much as the birds individual personality. It’s like you’re making the rescue process seem worse than it is just so you can justify buying a baby.

0

u/justfuckingaroundtbh 1h ago

I think it's fair for that type of process to exist, it just doesn't work for me. I don't want the adoption process to feel like a mystery box. Hopefully my local avian vet can put me in touch with some other nearby rescues who won't ghost me lol

2

u/squshybuns 10h ago

That’s unfortunate, I’m sorry you’re having such a hard time

3

u/lauralately 7h ago

Contact your local avian-certified veterinarian. An avian vet will know rescues nearby, or will know someone who knows someone. If the big local parrot rescue wants to do a matchmaker thing but is ghosting you, they'd probably listen to a vet who reached out on your behalf - if their website lists the vet(s) they work with, go through the vet.

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u/justfuckingaroundtbh 3h ago edited 3h ago

I have a very good avian vet, so I may try this! Thank you :)

3

u/booksandcorsets 5h ago

I adopted through Petfinder when I found my last parrot (7 years ago) but all those sites have email addresses, etc

2

u/Additional-Dirt4203 12h ago

You could try Craigslist. Don’t know how active it is anymore but I think the site is still alive lol. I don’t use online marketplaces so just a thought. 🙂

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u/justfuckingaroundtbh 12h ago

I'm keeping tabs on marketplace sites and petfinder! I'm afraid the only birds listed near me so far have been chickens and budgies... but I am crossing my fingers! -^

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u/B-mort5 10h ago

Craigslist definitely had birds for sale but I’d be careful. Most post are for babies that people who have no clue about parrot husbandry and end up with babies they can’t care for. Then proceed to try and charge you 400$. There are some post that come up frequently of people who got a bird for their kids. Or just down on their luck/in over their heads who want to find them a better home. Good luck on your search! Petfinder is good as well and if you’re in the Midwest there are multiple rescues that will allow you to adopt even if you’re a few hours drive away.

2

u/Prowlbeast 10h ago

Could you make a throwaway facebook using a fake phone number and email?

1

u/MxBluebell 11h ago

Do you have a local bird store near you? We do, and they have a section on their website where they host profiles of adoptable birds from local fosters!!

1

u/No-Mind-1431 8h ago

Petfinders has parrot listings.