Rehoming my Tiel

[rowdybush]

Hello all,

I'm new to the forum and have come here looking for some guidance. I fear it is time to re-home my cockatiel but I want to make sure it is the best decision for her. I have had my cockatiel since she was a 3 month old chick and I while I love her very much, I feel like she could have a better life with an owner that has more time and space for her.

First of all, when I adopted her I had only had cockatiels as a kid and I didn't realize the time and space commitment a bird was in reality. I work at a veterinary clinic and I have always been very animal oriented, but I had forgotten how much time and energy caring for a bird can require. I also had it in my mind I could just keep her in my bedroom, as that is the only space I have for her. The reality of that is not working out as I thought it would, I have a very small bedroom and she has taken it over. While I love her and don't mind letting her roam free, I have read how unhealthy it can be to sleep in the same room as your bird. I keep her cage door open so she can have free roam of my room so that she isn't caged all day, since I feel bad enough as it is that she is alone in my bedroom all day.

I also work long hours and when I am off work I am not always home and I fear my girl doesn't get the interaction she could be getting from another home that has the resources to provide her with it. Some, maybe most days in reality, she gets no interaction other than a couple head scritches before I lay down for bed.

I am having trouble keeping up with her upkeep as well. Her dander and dust takes over my room quickly, and when she is allowed in the rest of the house the rest of my household doesn't care for her feces or feathers. They do not have the same affinity for her as I do.

Like I said, I love her very much and I want her to have a good life, even if that means finding her a loving home that could provide her more than I can. The thought of actually giving her away is a hard one for me. Does anyone have experience taking in a tiel that grew up somewhere else? I know as an animal professional it's kind of a silly thought, but I worry she will miss me and not want to bond with another family. I know I will miss her but if she has a good home that is what's right, and I can't deny it would be nice breathing easier in my bedroom without her dander.

I appreciate any guidance that can be offered, and if anyone lives in the central Texas area and has a good home that is looking for a sweet, loving, hand raised female tiel about 2 years old, let me know. She was bred by a veterinarian I worked with and has been very healthy. I have put ads out on craigslist and although the people seemed like good owners, I am having trouble re-homing her. I know it was not a responsible decision taking her on in the first place, but I am where I am now and I am trying to make the best of a not so great situation.

I have gone back and forth on this so many times, I have never re-homed an animal I have taken on. I keep trying to find what feels most right, but I also feel this might not be a decision that is going to feel totally right.

Thank you for your time, and I hope to hear what kind of input this community is willing to share.

 

[sunnysmom]

It's sometimes tough knowing what's best for our birds. Do you have an air purifier? That can cut down a lot on the dander issue. Does your bird seem happy? Do you think you will always be living/working in your current situation? I would love to spend more time with my birds. But the reality is many of us here work full time. I compensate by getting up an hour or two earlier in the morning to spend time with my birds because I can't always control what time I'm going to get home after work. And then I try to give them extra time and attention on the weekends. So, if you want to keep your bird, I think there are ways to do it.

If you don't want to, that's okay too. Sometimes giving a bird a new home is the right choice. All of my cockatiels came from other homes. They adjust. That's not to say they don't initially miss their prior owners. But if it's the right home, they can adapt. My first cockatiel came to live with me when he was 15. I don't think any bird will ever adore me more than he did. My current tiels are both senior tiels and they are doing fine with me. So, if you decide to rehome, it will be okay. You just need to be careful and find a good home. Are there any rescues near you that do home to home adoptions? If so, that might be an option as they can help vet potential adopters.