Birds and Rental Cars

[sunnysmom]

With Christmas around the corner, I am trying to start making my bird plans. We always go to spend a few days with my parents who are about 2 hours away. Elvis always goes with me. I usually ask a friend to watch the tiels for me. However, I think my elderly mom really wants to see the tiels. The problem is that 4 cages cannot fit in my small SUV, along with carriers, presents, etc. So, I have been thinking about renting some large vehicle to fit everyone and everything in. But, the last time I had a rental car, I remember they sprayed it with some type of air freshener before I got it. Granted, I can ask them not to- if they still do that- but really can I trust that they won't.

Has anyone rented a car lately and taken their birds in it? I would hate to spend the money for a rental car and then not be able to put the birds in it and then also have no sitter. Thoughts on how to handle the situation? Am I being overly paranoid? It's probably going to be too cold to keep the windows down.... ideas? suggestions? insight? Do I just leave the tiels here? Thanks!

 

[Clueless]

Could you get the vehicle one day prior and then leave all the windows open??

 

[Clueless]

Another thought, maybe a luggage carrier to go on your car to hold things?

I think there's also a luggage carrier that can go behind your car.

 

[Princessbella]

With Christmas around the corner, I am trying to start making my bird plans. We always go to spend a few days with my parents who are about 2 hours away. Elvis always goes with me. I usually ask a friend to watch the tiels for me. However, I think my elderly mom really wants to see the tiels. The problem is that 4 cages cannot fit in my small SUV, along with carriers, presents, etc. So, I have been thinking about renting some large vehicle to fit everyone and everything in. But, the last time I had a rental car, I remember they sprayed it with some type of air freshener before I got it. Granted, I can ask them not to- if they still do that- but really can I trust that they won't.

Has anyone rented a car lately and taken their birds in it? I would hate to spend the money for a rental car and then not be able to put the birds in it and then also have no sitter. Thoughts on how to handle the situation? Am I being overly paranoid? It's probably going to be too cold to keep the windows down.... ideas? suggestions? insight? Do I just leave the tiels here? Thanks!

The last time I rented a car, it smelled like weed. So I got a free upgrade. But truthfully, with the ages of your 2 tiels, would the drive stress them out? Maybe take Kumquat with you but leave Scooter and Rosie with the sitter.

 

[Jayced!!]

With rentals I've always just asked them to not spray any air fresheners inside prior to renting! Though I've had a few situations where if it's still smelling like a chemical/air fresheners, during the day I'd leave all of the doors and trunk open then run a box fan inside of it for a few hours. That usually does the trick! If you're really worried about it you can also leave the windows down until you have to pack it for your trip. After running the fan inside I've had no issues, even with my really young / really old birds going into it afterwards!

 

[Emma&pico]

Could you get the vehicle one day prior and then leave all the windows open??

I was thinking same let it air out

 

[thedogtor]

Rented a car twice this year to travel with birds and did not have any issues. Honestly the thought never occurred to me.

 

[Sarahmoluccan]

There's a similar service like Airbnb but for cars. I forget what it is called. But you might have better luck there. There more than one. Here's a little article on them
Airbnb for Cars: 4 Apps to Rent from Peers - NerdWallet

My brother uses this kind of service a few times and seems quite happy with it. If you decide to go this route just make sure you have some kind of car insurance for it. Dealing with individuals instead of a huge corporation could be a better way to go. Hopefully they be more flexible about things. Definitely pro and cons with each choice

I hope you find something that works out great!

 

[sunnysmom]

Thanks everyone! Will let you know what I end up doing.

 

[sunnysmom]

Just letting everyone know my decision. I decided to take the cockatiels to a sitter. I think everyone's suggestions about dealing with potential car smell were really helpful and felt better about the idea of renting one. But then I thought about having 4 birds at my mom's house and how I would spend most of my time dealing with birds. Then I worried about if the roads were bad, the tiels getting stressed out, etc. So in the end, I asked my friend from the rescue, who has watched the tiels before, and she said she could watch them. I think my mom was disappointed. She asked about bringing 2 tiels and leaving Elvis. Lol. But that won't work. So I said when the weather is warmer and we're not dealing with the chaos of Christmas and all the things I have to take for Christmas- presents, food, etc., I would rent a car and bring the tiels for a couple of days. Thanks everyone!