WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO US???

Because pets usually have shorter life spans than their human caregivers, you may have planned for your animal friend's passing. But what if you are the one who becomes ill or incapacitated, or who dies first? As a responsible pet owner, you provide your pet with food and water, shelter, veterinary care, and love. To ensure that your beloved pet will continue to receive this care should something unexpected happen to you, it's critical to plan ahead.

Learn what steps you can take to plan and provide for your pet's future without you by following the links below.

THIS WEB SITE also offers a free kit, "Providing for Your Pet’s Future Without You," complete with a six-page fact sheet, wallet alert cards, emergency decals for windows and doors, and caregiver information forms.

For the full kit, please write to:

petsinwills@hsus.org

NOTE: The following information is intended to provide a general overview and to stimulate your thinking about providing for your pet in the event of your incapacity or death. It is not intended to provide legal advice and is definitely not a substitute for consulting a local attorney of your choosing who is familiar both with the laws of your state and with your personal circumstances and needs, and those of your pets.

LEAVE A LEGACY

A bequest is one of the simplest ways to provide for those you care about. Once you have provided for the people you love, you may wish to consider a bequest to Fresh Start Bird Resacue, Inc.

Charitable bequests find a place in the wills of many who wish to lend support well into the future. A gift through your will to Fresh Start Rescue will be a thoughtful way to help us continue our life-saving programs.

There are many types of planned giving, the most common of which are:
-Simple bequests from a will or living trust
-Charitable gift annuities
-Charitable trusts
-Gifts of life insurance, real estate and retirement funds
-Equities
-Pooled income funds
-Planned gifts can be immediate but most often are deferred, usually from a donor’s assets rather than their income. By far, the most common is the straightforward bequest.

You can list Fresh Start Rescue as either a direct beneficiary of a set amount of money, a specific asset, or a percentage of your estate. An individual may designate that a bequest be used for general purposes or to support a specific program. The following is a simple suggestion for such a bequest:

"I give and bequeath to Fresh Start Bird Rescue, Inc. a not for profit organization, with its principal offices presently located in Coplay Pennsylvania, the sum of $_____________________ to be used for the accomplishment of its mission."

If you plan to make a charitable gift by will, please think it through carefully. Then meet with your attorney to discuss and update your will.

Thank you For thinking ahead and supporting Fresh Start Bird Rescue

PARROT WILLS / DEATH OF A PET

WHERE WILL I LIVE IF YOU GO BEFORE ME??

Free Kit:

Providing for Your Pet's Future Without You

-Because pets usually have shorter life spans than their human caregivers, you may have planned for your animal friend's passing. But what if you are the one who becomes ill or incapacitated, or who dies first? As a responsible pet owner, you provide your pet with food and water, shelter, veterinary care, and love.

-To ensure that your beloved pet will continue to receive this care should something unexpected happen to you, it's critical to plan ahead.

- Learn what steps you can take to plan and provide for your pet's future without you by following the links below. The HSUS also offers a free kit, "Providing for Your Pet’s Future Without You," complete with a six-page fact sheet, wallet alert cards, emergency decals for windows and doors, and caregiver information forms.

For the full kit, please write to petsinwills@hsus.org or The HSUS, Humane Legacy, 2100 L Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037, or call 202-452-1100.

ILovedMyPet.com

- Preserve the memory of your pet with a free online pet memorial that you design yourself. Friends and family can add their own photos, comments and parting sentiments. All profits donated to The Humane Society.

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Coping with the Death of Your Pet

-When a person you love dies, it's natural to feel sorrow, express grief, and expect friends and family to provide understanding and comfort. Unfortunately, the same doesn't always hold true if the one who died was your companion animal. Many consider grieving inappropriate for someone who has lost "just a pet."

-Nothing could be further from the truth. People love their pets and consider them members of their family. Caregivers celebrate their pets' birthdays, confide in their animals, and carry pictures of them in their wallets. So when your beloved pet dies, it's not unusual to feel overwhelmed by the intensity of your sorrow. Animals provide companionship, acceptance, emotional support, and unconditional love during the time they share with you. If you understand and accept this bond between humans and animals, you've already taken the first step toward coping with pet loss: knowing that it is okay to grieve when your pet dies.

-Understanding how you grieve and finding ways to cope with your loss can bring you closer to the day when memories bring smiles instead of tears.

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What Is the Grief Process?

-The grief process is as individual as the person, lasting days for one person or years for another. The process typically begins with denial, which offers protection until individuals can realize their loss. Some caregivers may try bargaining with a higher power, themselves, or even their pet to restore life. Some feel anger, which may be directed at anyone involved with the pet, including family, friends, and veterinarians.

-Caregivers may also feel guilt about what they did or did not do, and may feel that it is inappropriate to be so upset. After these feelings subside, caregivers may experience true sadness or grief. They may become withdrawn or depressed. Acceptance occurs when they accept the reality of their loss and remember their animal companion with decreasing sadness. Remember, not everyone follows these classic stages of grief—some may skip or repeat a stage, or experience the stages in a different order. How Can I Cope with My Grief?

-While grief is a personal experience, you need not face loss alone. Many forms of support are available, including pet bereavement counseling services, pet-loss support hotlines, local or online Internet bereavement groups, books, videos, and magazine articles. Here are a few suggestions to help you cope:

-Acknowledge your grief and give yourself permission to express it.

-Don't hesitate to reach out to others who can lend a sympathetic ear.

-Write about your feelings, either in a journal or a poem.

-Call your local humane society to see whether it offers a pet loss support group or can refer you to one. You may also want to ask your veterinarian or local animal shelter about available pet loss hotlines.

-Explore the Internet for pet loss support groups and coping information.

-Prepare a memorial for your pet.

-What Can I Do for My Child?

-The loss of a pet may be a child's first experience with death. The child may blame himself, his parents, or the veterinarian for not saving the pet. And he may feel guilty, depressed, and frightened that others he loves may be taken from him. Trying to protect your child by saying the pet ran away could cause your child to expect the pet's return and feel betrayed after discovering the truth. Expressing your own grief may reassure your child that sadness is okay and help him work through his feelings.

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Is the Process More Difficult if I'm a Senior?

-Coping with the loss of a pet can be particularly hard for seniors. Those who live alone may feel a loss of purpose and an immense emptiness. The pet's death may also trigger painful memories of other losses and remind caregivers of their own mortality. What's more, the decision to get another pet is complicated by the possibility that the pet may outlive the caregiver, and hinges on the person's physical and financial ability to care for a new pet.

-For all these reasons, it's critical that senior pet owners take immediate steps to cope with their loss and regain a sense of purpose. If you are a senior, try interacting with friends and family, calling a pet loss support hotline, even volunteering at a local humane society. If you know seniors in this situation, direct them to this web page and guide them through the difficult grieving process.

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Will My Other Pets Grieve?

-Surviving pets may whimper, refuse to eat or drink, and suffer lethargy, especially if they had a close bond with the deceased pet. Even if they were not the best of friends, the changing circumstances and your emotional state may distress them. Give surviving pets lots of TLC ("tender loving care") and try to maintain a normal routine. It's good for them and for you.

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Should I Get Another Pet?

-Rushing into this decision isn't fair to you or your new pet. Each animal has his own unique personality and a new animal cannot replace the one you lost. You'll know when the time is right to adopt a new pet after giving yourself time to grieve, carefully considering the responsibilities of pet ownership, and paying close attention to your feelings. When you are ready, remember that your local animal shelter is a great place to find your next special friend.

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Honoring Your Pet's Memory

-The death of an animal friend can be one of life's most difficult experiences. More than just a pet, she was your playmate and trusted confidante. He was your child and faithful pal. That's why, in addition to handling the necessary arrangements following your pet's death, you may want to offer a lasting tribute to such a special friend.

-Gestures of remembrance, large or small, provide comfort by celebrating a pet's life and the incredible power of the bond between humans and animals. Although Western cultures have few traditions for paying last respects to departed companion animals, there are many meaningful ways to memorialize your beloved pet.

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How Can I Honor the Memory of My Pet?

-Hold a memorial service at a pet cemetery, in your backyard, or in a place that was special to your animal companion.

-Add an inscription to your pet's gravestone.

-Find a special urn for your pet's ashes.

-Create a living memorial by planting a tree, bush, or flower bed in your yard.

-Contact a pet cemetery or community park to see if you can sponsor a bench or tree affixed with an acknowledgment plaque memorializing your pet.

-Frame a photo of your pet and put it in a special place. Keep your pet's favorite toy, collar, blanket, or bowl as a symbol of your pet.

-Create a scrapbook or collage with photos and other reminders of your pet.

-Volunteer at an animal shelter to help other pets.

-Participate in online memorials and candle-lighting ceremonies.

-Write a poem or story about your pet or write a letter to him.

-Offer a memorial scholarship at a veterinary school. When the time is right, adopt another pet from your local animal shelter or humane society.

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WHATS UP WITH MY BIRD??

Why Did My Bird Bite Me?

OUCH, I DIDNT SEE THAT COMING!

-The typical scenario is this. You've owned your bird for a year or so. It has been your darling, adoring pet, never balking at cuddling and kisses. Then one day with no warning, your bird strikes out and bites. Most owners express shock and disappointment when their beloved pet shows such unexpected aggressive behavior. But how unexpected should this behavior really be?

-Most parrots cannot be considered domesticated pets. With the exception of budgerigars and cockatiels, most species are only a few generations removed from their wild ancestors. Some birds sold as pets today may have had wild-caught parents. What does this mean? It means that instincts rule. If bird owners keep this in mind when training their pets, they will have a healthier relationship with their bird and there will be far fewer painful nips.

-Keep in mind that in the wild birds can fly high in the trees to avoid danger. A bird with clipped wings obviously cannot do this. Some will fly in a panic to the floor, thrashing about. This can be a very frightening and unsettling experience for both the bird and the owner. It is best to get down low to where the bird is and not "swoop" down on it the way a predator might in the wild. Talk in a calm voice and ease the bird's panic. The other protection your bird has is to bite.

-In almost all cases, you will get warning signals. The trick is to learn how to recognize them before the beak comes down on your finger (or worse, a lip or ear).

-A very content look with wide pupils and a "fat" satisfied stance.

-Food soothes the savage beast!

-Beak clicking, arched wings, pupils narrow to "pins"

-Feathers "stand up" a bit

The dipped head is typical of this agitated state.

-I have discovered a whole repertoire of behaviors with my senegal parrot. I have learned to pay close attention to them. When Maxwell reached sexual maturity at around four years of age, his personality changed. I had to rebuild our relationship on different terms. I had to learn to recognize when he was overstimulated (it is often called "overload" in amazons) and likely to snap. Mainly I was the cause of the overstimulation. We often played a game called "The Tail Thief", which he loved as a young bird, but at age four he would become very aggressive if I played the game. I've relegated the game to memory lane now. Many owners of pet birds become disappointed when they cannot play with their bird in the same manner as they mature. It is very important to accept your bird as an individual and not try to force behaviors just because you enjoy them. I have found that once owners try to understand their bird's moods rather than trying to change their moods, the relationship blossoms again.

-There are some pretty universal signs when a bird is saying, "Back off". Your relationship will be the most healthy when it involves reciprocal "respect". If a bird puffs himself up and his eyes start to flash, or you can tell by his body posture-feathers out a bit (almost arched), individual feathers a bit on end, some extra loud clicking of the beak, eyes flashing--that he might just be too stimulated and could bite. I really don't believe these bites mean he's angry at me, just that he very excited and can't quite control himself . Sometimes these signs are subtle, sometimes they're done in an outright "flash" dance.

-The foundation you build with a young bird will make all the difference in how you can handle him when he reaches maturity. Books on parrot behavior may help you, but the best way to learn the signs is to watch your bird and make a note of specific reactions. For example, "When I move quickly like that he spins around. This means I've startled him and an instinctive response has kicked in. I need to talk to him first." One special thing to look for is when your bird seems to be in a trance-like state. This is a natural protective behavior. In the wild parrots "take turns" standing watch for the flock for any danger. They are in a hyperalert state at that time, blocking out all extraneous (i.e., nondangerous) stimuli. A sudden movement or threatening approach during that "trance" can make them lunge instinctively.

-It is important to note that birds that have shown aggressive behavior should NOT be allowed to sit on your shoulder. A startled bird can bite your face and do serious injury. Certain species, such as amazon parrots, should be trained to sit on your hand or wrist, never on your shoulder. While re-training a bird used to sitting on your shoulder can be challenging, it is not impossible.

-All of your bird's seemingly unpredictable behaviors can be largely predictable if you accept that they are part of a whole repertoire of natural instincts. Unfortunately, most people give up after the first few bites and don't understand why their sweet baby has become a piranha. By establishing a few basic rules early on in your relationship with your bird, you can work through these behavioral issues, and your pet does not have to end up on the adoption merry-go-round.

What's That Noise?

ALWAYS ASK FOR HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT

Are You Inadvertently Encouraging Annoying Sounds and Screaming

-A man wrote to me about an annoying sound his black masked lovebird had been making recently. The sound was not "natural" to the bird and sounded almost mechanical. It was a high-pitched beeping sound. He found the sound intolerable and had tried numerous ways of stopping the behavior, but the bird only persisted in making it. He tried ignoring the bird, but usually the sound annoyed him so much he would yell at the bird. I wrote back to him, explaining that sound could possibly be something from the bird's environment that it learned to mimic. In fact, the way he described it, the sound seemed to be something like the beep a truck makes when it backs up.

-My advice was to ignore the sound completely. No matter how maddening, how frustrating, he needed to act as if the bird did not exist when he made this sound. Under no circumstances was he to look at the bird, call to him, yell at him, or cover the cage. All these reactions would be considered attention and the sound would get the result the bird wanted. I also told him that when the bird was quiet, or making sounds the man enjoyed, to immediately interact with the bird and thereby encourage the positive behavior. He wrote back to me saying that he did not think he could ignore the sound because it drove him to distraction, but I encouraged him to try it for a while, that if he stuck with this strategy he had a good chance of changing the bird's behavior.

-It was about three months later that I received another e-mail from this man. He was delighted to report that the strategy worked like a charm. While the bird did still occasionally make the sound, it was rare and was not enough to drive the owner mad.

-He also noted a particularly nice side effect to the strategy: the bird was now talking more, mimicking human speech! This was the result I hoped he would get, and I was happy to hear it was not only successful in alleviating the stressful noise situation, but that he ended up with a bird with a new vocabulary that delighted him.

-Noise is a funny thing. I always comment that people have no problem living next to a busy highway, but they'll complain about someone's parrot squawking in the morning. I know of a case in Florida where neighbors complained that an African Grey had a vulgar mouth. However, it seems the grey was simply mimicking them yelling up at him on his balcony perch to, "Shut the **** up!"

-Many urban dwellers have become so unused to natural noises, that they annoy us more than man-made ones. Because of this issue, it is important to think about the noise parrots can make before you bring one into your apartment with paper-thin walls. However, if you are already in the situation where a bird's vocalizations are causing problems, there are some steps you can take to reduce them.

-Remember, parrots are vocal by nature. They call to flock members across miles of dense jungles. They are especially vocal in the mornings and in the evening. This is a way of touching base with the flock at the beginning and at the end of the day. Just imagine all those parrots out there in the wild flying about for food.

- As the sun starts to set, it would make sense that they would send out loud contact calls to make sure the rest of the flock comes together for the night. If we understand the natural times for vocalizations, we can avoid overreacting to them and possibly reinforcing screaming behavior so that the parrot uses its voice to control the owner.

-What is the best way to react to a true contact call? When my amazon calls out "Vera?" and I am within hearing distance, I give her a simple and quiet reply, "I'm right here." Generally this is enough to appease her. If she continues to call over and over, I no longer respond. She knows I'm there, so her needs have been met. This has worked very well. Inca rarely screams for me persistently. She makes her contact call, gets her answer, then relaxes.

-Sometimes she will test me and repeat it a few times, but she has learned it really isn't going to get her anywhere. On occasion, and I stress "on occasion," if she sounds like she is in need of attention, I will go in and talk to her for a few minutes, stroke her head, maybe pick her up and ask her how she is. However, I measure my response in a way that does not reinforce screaming to get attention.

-I must admit that when Inca first learned to call my name it was tempting to reply every time. I quickly realized this wasn't a good idea and measured my responses thereafter. Often times people get a bit upset when you tell them they have to set boundaries and rules for interaction with their pet birds. They want to simply do whatever they please at any time. They get very upset when the bird behaves "badly" yet they don't want to change their own behavior in order to have a better adjusted pet. I've seen this not only with vocalization and screaming, but with shoulder sitting. Someone will report that their bird is biting their face.

-When I tell them that bird should not have shoulder privileges they protest that they simply MUST walk around the house with the bird on their shoulder. My answer is, then be prepared for another bite on the face. Parrots are wild creatures, only a few generations removed from their wild ancestors. Owners who fully understand and accept this tend to have the best relationships with their birds.

-These owners aren't trying to recreate their macaw in the image of their pet cat or dog. They accept that the combination of high intelligence and strong instinct means this pet is more high maintenance than the more domesticated pets such as cats and dogs.

-You can never eliminate all noise and contact calls when you have pet parrots. This simply isn't realistic. However, by understanding the nature of your pet's vocalizations you can avoid reinforcing the more annoying sounds or screaming. One of the reasons we love parrots is because of their voices. We should not try to squelch these voices; instead, we should use keen observation to understand when and why our birds are becoming vocal and channel those energies appropriately so screaming does not become their only way to communicate.

-Please note: NEVER IGNORE a bird that sounds as if it is in distress. If your bird is making a horrible screech or screaming in a panicked way that you have not heard before, check on its safety. If after a few times you realize this sound is an attention-getter, you can then react appropriately and work on re-directing the bird's energy.

PARROT BILL OF RIGHTS:

DONT I DESERVE THE BEST LIFE POSSIBLE

-GET TO KNOW ABOUT PARROTS BEFORE YOU BRING ME HOME - I am not a domesticated pet like a dog or cat. I still have the spirit of the jungle in me. I have special needs, which you may find hard to fill. Please don't learn these too late for my well-being. And please don't acquire one of my cousins wild from the jungle - it will jeopardize his survival and well-being, and that won't be a party for you either!

-GIVE ME THE LARGEST HOME POSSIBLE - I am used to flying through rainforests or savannas. I have given up this great gift for your pleasure. At the very least, give me enough room to flap my wings and exercise. And I need toys for my amusement and wood to chew - otherwise, I might confuse your Home with the forest and its trees.

-GIVE ME A NUTRITIOUS DIET - I need a wide variety of fresh and nutritious foods, even if they take time to prepare. I cannot survive on seeds alone. Take time to learn what my needs, and preferences are.

-LET ME HAVE A 'SOCIAL LIFE' - I am a gregarious flock animal - but I am not one of you. I need lots of socialization to learn how to act with you, and with my siblings. I also need to have adequate quality time with you every day - no matter what your schedule or other needs are. I am a living, feeling creature. Above all, I need to be able to have complete trust in you, and count on your predictability in looking after me - every day.

-LET ME BE CLEAN - I may like to drop food or even throw it, but I need meticulous cleanliness to be healthy. My skin itches without frequent showers, the barbs of my feathers won't seal if they become oily and, worst of all, I may become ill if my food or water is not always sanitary.

-I NEED MY OWN DOCTOR - You may not understand my physiology and therefore you may not recognize it early on when I get sick. And it may be too late when you do, because I hide my illnesses (remember what I said about my being an animal of the jungle, where there are lots of predators). And I need an avian vet - a specialist (no HMOs for me please). If you can't afford one, perhaps you shouldn't have taken me home.

-PLEASE DON'T PUNISH ME - Just as I don't always understand your peculiarities, you may not understand mine. I don't TRY to get in trouble - remember, a house is not the jungle. If I do screw up, don't yell at me and never hit me. I have sensitive ears and I may never trust you again if you strike me. Hands are sometimes scary things to us (why in the world would you not be zygodactylous like us?). Even more importantly, we don't learn by punishment. We are gentle creatures who only strike back to protect ourselves; we learn through patience and love.

-SPEAK MY 'LANGUAGE' - I know you get upset with me when I knock over my water bowl, throw food, scream or pluck my feathers. I don't do these to annoy you - I am probably trying to tell you something (perhaps that I am hurting, lonely, or sad.). Learn to speak MY (body) language. Remember that I, alone of all creatures on this planet, learn to speak yours!

- SEE ME AS AN INDIVIDUAL - I am a unique and feeling being. No two of us are alike. Please don't be disappointed in me if I don't talk like you wanted, or can't do the tricks that your friend's parrot can do. But if you pay close attention to me (and I always empathize with you, whether you know it or not), I will show you a unique being who will give you so much more than talking and playing. Give me a chance to show you who I am; I think you'll find the effort worth it. And remember - I am not an ornament; I do not enhance ANY living room décor. And I am not a status symbol - if you use me as such, I might nip at your up-turned nose!

- SHARE YOUR LOVE WITH ME - Above all, please remember that you are my Special Person. I put all my trust and faith in you. We parrots are used to being monogamous (no bar-hopping for us!). So please don't go away for long periods or give me away - that would be a sadness from which I may never recover. If that seems to be asking a lot, remember - you could have learned about my needs before bringing me home. Even having a baby or taking a new job isn't a fair reason - you made a commitment to me FIRST. And if you think that you must leave me because you might die, provide for me forever after you leave. I may live to a ripe old age but I can't provide for myself. Remember I'm in a small cage amongst people who are not of my blood.

-YOUR RIGHTS - You have lots of rights, but I can only assure one. And that is, if you treat me the way I described above, I will reward you with unwavering love, humor, knowledge, beauty, dedication - and a sense of wonder and awe you haven't felt since you were a child. When you took me home, you became my Flock Leader, indeed, my entire universe - for life. I would hang the moon and stars for you if I could. We are one in Heart and Soul and one Life.

Parrot Rules

I know these have been floating around out there for a long time, but that doesn't make them any less true!

1. If I like it, its mine.

2. If it’s in my beak, its mine.

3. If I can take it from you, its mine.

4. If I had it a little while ago, its mine.

5. If its mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.

6. If I’m chewing something, all the pieces are mine.

7. If it looks like mine, its mine.

8. If I saw it first, its mine.

9. If you have something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.