Adoption process
For the Love of Birds is a group of dedicated foster homes in the New Jersey and Philadelphia area, we do not have a central location. As our adoptable birds are living in our volunteer’s homes, we only allow approved applicants to meet our birds. If an adoptable bird is participating in our Help with Rehoming program the bird’s current family has final say on who can adopt that specific bird.
The first step in the adoption process is the completion and submission of the Adoption Application. Be sure to include two (non relative) personal references and veterinary references for pets you currently have or have had in the past; all current pets in your home must be up to date with vaccines and bird must be disease tested. After successful contact with your personal and veterinary references we schedule a phone call with each potential adopter. Please note that home inspections/videos are required. We will not adopt to anyone under 21, to households with smokers (cigarettes, vape, etc) nor do we adopt birds as gifts or surprises. After an application is approved we will recommend a bird(s) for you to meet or you can let us you are interested in one of our available birds.
As we do not ship our birds we do require potential adopters live within easy driving distance to the bird’s foster home (foster home locations are listed in each bird’s biography). For small birds like finches and parakeets we do allow adoptions after one visit. For medium to large parrots we do require at least three visits before adopting. The reason for this is three fold:
- This provides the potential adopter with time to consider whether the bird is a good match with their family & lifestyle and gives you time to get your house ready for the bird to move in.
- Second it gives the bird several opportunities to meet with you and get used to you. Many birds are hesitant with new people during their first visit meeting with them.
- And finally, it allows the foster home to watch how you interact with the bird and they can pass along information on the bird and educate the potential adopter on bird husbandry as needed.
Please be aware that we require a waiting period of at least 6 months if you have brought new pets recently into your home with bringing any more new pets into your home. Each bird requires a transition period to be comfortable with their new family and in their new home. Please don't short change your bird by bringing another flock member in too soon.
We will NOT adopt birds to homes that already have a bird of the same breed but a different gender. We do not support breeding; mistakes happen and increased hormone levels in the birds can result in negative behaviors, as well as can impact their health.
We will also not adopt large or loud birds to apartments, townhomes, condo dwellers or rowhouses - no exceptions.
Adoption fees are listed below. Our bird are adopted out with their cage, toys and food to get you started. All of our birds are disease tested for Psitticosis (Chlamydia psitacia) and PBFD and the adopter will be provided these test results.
For The Love of Birds holds a permit for the care and sale of exotic animals from the State of New Jersey, Division of Fish and Wildlife. All exotic birds that are not exempt in New Jersey must have a hobby permit filed with the state. We will issue you a 20 day temporary permit at the time of adoption. We must file a copy of this temporary hobby permit each year with the Division of Fish and Wildlife. You will need to file for a hobby permit during the first 20 days you have the bird. Exempt birds are budgies, cockatiels, canaries, zebra finches, rock pigeons and society finches. There are a few other exempt birds that we do not take in and offer for adoption. Additionally, all other exotic birds are required to have a band or microchip and have a hobby permit from the State of New Jersey, Division of Fish and Wildlife. YOU DO NOT NEED A SEPARATE PERMIT FOR EACH ANIMAL IN YOUR POSSESSION. If you already have a valid Individual Hobby Permit, you can add additional animals for a fee of $2.00 by writing to the Division of Fish and Wildlife or you can wait until the end of the year and list additions on your renewal form which will be sent to you.
Adoption Fees
- Parakeet: $60 or $90/pair
- Dove: $45 or $65/pair
- Canary/Finch: $50 for single or $75 for pair
- Cockatiels: $75 or $125/pair
- Lovebirds: $100 or $150/pair
- Parrotlet/BeeBee Canary/ Rosey Bourke: $125
- Conures : $250
- Meyers: $250
- Jardine: $250
- Senegal: $250
- Lory: $250
- Caique: $350
- Pionus: $350
- Amazons: $450
- Eclectus, Mini Macaws & Small Cockatoos: $450
- Large Cockatoos: $525
- Grey: $550
- Large Macaw: $600
* Note: All birds are disease tested and are adopted out with their cage, toys, perches and food.
* Small Birds recieve avain veterinarian exam if indicated, otherwise the adopter should take the
bird to an avain veterinarian with in two weeks of adoption.
* Medium and Large Birds receive an avian exam and testing upon intake as standard.
* We offer a 10% discount on adoption fees to Military Personnel and Veterans
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