Adopt a Bird

To provide clarity about our adoption process, we want every potential adopter to have as much information as possible about what is involved before submitting an adoption application.

Adopting from The Gabriel Foundation involves several important steps from beginning to end. Once an adoption application is submitted, we consider the adopter, the bird, and TGF to be entering into a lifetime relationship — especially for the bird.

Adopters work closely with different TGF staff members to help determine a match that is successful for both the adopter and the bird. Our process may be different from other bird clubs or parrot adoption organizations. From the beginning, we want potential adopters to understand that, for medium and large birds, TGF’s adoption process may take approximately 6 to 8 weeks to complete. Some adoptions may take longer, while others may move more quickly.

TGF staff members commit a significant amount of time to helping each adoption succeed. During the process, you will participate in several adoption meet-and-greets with different birds, including the bird who may have captured your heart. Throughout this time, different adoption counselors will work with you to discuss bird body language, behavior, basic training techniques, step-up and step-down, entering and exiting a crate, environmental enrichment, diet, housing, bathing, safe out-of-cage and outdoor time, exercise, veterinary care, and travel.

We are here to walk with you through the process. These discussions help you begin to imagine what daily life with your adopted bird may look like.

TGF also looks closely at the bird’s overall environment to help match the adopter, the bird, and everyone’s expectations for success. We ask adopters to submit photos, videos, links, or other electronic communication about the bird’s environment. This may include the cage you already have, or a link to a similar cage you plan to purchase, which is subject to TGF approval. We may also ask for photos of the bird’s living area, outdoor area, sleeping area, and other parts of the home where the bird will be included.

If you have an outdoor cage or aviary, crate, carrier, travel cage, or other items planned for the bird, we ask that you share those photos with us as well.

Every bird who enters TGF receives a complete wellness intake exam and diagnostic testing, as well as an exit exam prior to adoption. The exit exam is scheduled with one of our veterinarians, depending on the bird’s most recent medical history.

If the bird being adopted has special toys, those will accompany the bird to their new home. You will also be provided with cooked and dry food mixes, along with a few days’ worth of fresh bird food, to help transition your bird into their new schedule during the move.

Once the bird transitions into your home, TGF requires scheduled follow-ups. Our bird placement protocol includes online post-adoption follow-ups at 24 hours, 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, and then annually. This applies to all adopted birds, and we expect all adopters to complete each follow-up form.

These reports help us understand how the adoption is progressing, how relationships and routines are developing, and what surprises, joys, or challenges may have come up after adoption. Your follow-up reports are reviewed, and TGF may provide input or guidance when needed. We want to help both you and the bird get off to a strong start, and we believe that discussing expectations, triumphs, questions, and challenges is an important part of that support.

The adopter also agrees that, for any reason they are unable to keep the bird, the adopted bird must be returned to TGF. Bird adoption fees are non-refundable.

Our placement policies have been created to support adopters through each step of the process. We understand that sometimes the process may not move as quickly as some people would like. Others may find that they are not able or willing to commit the time required for the visits and conversations outlined in our policy. While we make every effort to move adoptions forward efficiently, our priority is making sure both the adopter and the bird are prepared for one another.

Over more than twenty-five years, we have learned a great deal from hundreds of birds and people about what makes an adoption successful — and sometimes, why an adoption may not work. On our Facebook page, we often share happy adoption stories. In 2021, TGF completed more than 180 bird adoptions involving many different species, personalities, and care needs. Even better, many previous adopters have returned to TGF to add another feathered friend to their family or flock.

At TGF, we believe each bird and each person is a “study of one.” Every relationship is unique. That is why the length of time from the beginning of an adoption to its completion will not be the same for everyone.

There are a number of steps involved in making the adoption process a successful and positive experience for both you and your potential new bird companion(s):

A completed adoption application
*We use this valuable information to help us find a bird that fits with your personality, lifestyle, experience and expectations.

Completion of the Beyond Bird Basics class
*This is an online class that you can take at your own pace and you will continue to have access to these educational materials for reference in the future.

Meet the birds!
*It may take awhile for you to “connect” with a bird, so it’s possible that multiple visits over time will be required. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find your new companion right away, or if the bird you have your heart set on doesn’t seem interested. It can take time to earn trust and form a relationship with them.

If you have birds already:
* a copy of their veterinary test results must be provided Every bird that comes into The Gabriel Foundation is screened for viruses and general health. We require birds in the home of the potential adopter to meet those same standards – for the health and safety of our birds as well as theirs.

Finalize the adoption
 *Once approved by the adoption committee, you will be scheduled to finalize the adoption.  You will receive an Adoption Agreement to initial and sign off on along with a Designation of Beneficiary. Both forms will go home with you after being scanned into our system.  

If you live outside the area or out of state and are interested in adopting a bird from The Gabriel Foundation, advance scheduling is required.

We want to make sure you have enough time to meet with potential birds and feel confident in the adoption process. Once we learn more about you, your bird preferences, lifestyle, experience, and expectations, TGF staff will work with you to identify suitable adoption candidates. These may include birds from a variety of species, depending on availability and compatibility.

Please note that all birds adopted out of state are required to have a health certificate issued by our avian veterinarian before adoption. This certificate is an additional $75 fee, separate from the adoption fee.

Out-of-State Adoption Protocol

For out-of-state adopters, TGF requires a minimum stay of 3 to 4 days, with two 1-hour visits each day. This allows us to help ensure that you are matched with the right bird and that you feel prepared and confident bringing them home.

Here is what you can expect:

Day 1

During your first visit, you will be introduced to 4 to 5 birds, or bonded pairs, who fit what you are looking for and who our staff believes may be a good match. This first visit is intended as an overview. You will meet the birds through their cages, and there will be no handling during this initial visit.

During your second visit, you may be introduced to an additional 4 to 5 birds or pairs. Alternatively, you may begin spending one-on-one time with birds who stood out to you as potential adoption candidates during your first visit.

Day 2

Before your third visit, you will need to narrow your options to 1 to 3 birds or pairs. During this visit, you will spend one-on-one time with the birds on your narrowed list. If you have already decided on a bird or pair, your visit will focus on that bird or pair.

Your fourth visit will follow the same format as your third visit.

Day 3

Your fifth and sixth visits will focus on diet, behavior, enrichment, and what to expect once your bird is home. These visits will be centered on the bird or pair you have chosen, so the information will be tailored to that individual bird’s species, personality, and needs.

Day 4

The fourth day is typically used to finalize the adoption or complete additional visits. We are always happy to schedule additional visits if you feel you need more time. In some cases, TGF’s adoption committee may also determine that additional visits are needed before the adoption can be completed.

The date and time of the required health certificate appointment may affect the number of visits you are able to complete before a final decision on a bird must be made.