Thank you for your interest in becoming a foster home for Flitesong

Cage Bird Sanctuary. We make every attempt to keep this document

current and put the most recent edition date on each page. However,

the information contained herein is subject to change without notice

and should always be confirmed with the Flitesong Director if you have

any questions or concerns about any aspect of being a Flitesong

Foster Home. The following contains questions, guidelines, and

policies for Flitesong Cage Bird Sanctuary. There is a place at the

end of the document for your signature, should you decide to apply

to be a Flitesong Foster.

A bird is surrendered to Flitesong Cage Bird Sanctuary using a

Flitesong Surrender Agreement.  All birds are placed into adoptive

homes through Flitesong using the Flitesong Adoption Application &

Adoption Contract. Only registered Flitesong fosters are allowed to

use these documents to accept a bird into foster care and to place

a bird into an adoptive home.  Please realize that these are legal and

binding contract documents. The Flitesong Foster and the person or

family surrendering a bird to Flitesong will be confirming in writing

that they understand the obligations, rights, and limitations of

this surrender. 

No birds shall be surrendered to FCBS without the advance permission

of the FCBS Director. If you agree tofoster a bird or birds without

prior permission, FCBS may not be in a position to assist you with

foster care orplacement.  You can always ask for help. We might

be able to help. But then you and the FCBS Director would sign the

surrender agreement, rather than you and the original owner of

the bird or birds.

There is no pay or exchange in kind offered to you for being a

Flitesong Foster, but being a foster for FCBS is a very satisfying,

yet taxing, responsibility. You may become very attached to a foster

bird or find you are able to keep your emotional distance. You will

learn to respond to the bird's needs. You will come to know when it

wants to take a shower in the water dish or it wants to come out on

its playstand during the day or when it decides to sing for you when

you say its favorite words or whistle a tune - and so it goes.

You will be learning about the bird so you can help screen potential

adopters and ensure it goes to the best possible home. You will learn

to let most of your fosters go to other homes when the time is right

and the prospects are excellent that the bird will be happiest with a

new, permanent situation. We all have space limitations. Every time

you help place a bird, you may be in the position to offer a foster

home to a bird in need.

You may struggle with letting go and request to be considered as

the permanent adopter for that extra special bird you have fallen in

love with. Your friends and family may not understand why you are

a foster. Some days, YOU might not understand how you ever got

into this! But I hope you will always be proud of being a

foster for FCBS!

•           Are you able to separate FCBS birds from your own? Some

new foster birds may need to be isolated or kept separate in order

to adjust and to prevent disease transfer if the new bird becomes ill.

•           Will you be able to spend quality time with your foster bird?

On average it is best to have approximately 20 minutes a day with

each foster bird. Socialization can be as important as feeding them

and keeping their cage clean.

•           Are you willing to get the foster bird to the vet if needed? 

(All vet visits must be approved in advance except in the case of a

life-threatening emergency.)

•           Are you aware there may be a great deal of clean-up and

even possible damage to your home when you take in a foster bird?

•           If a foster bird flies away, are you willing to follow up

immediately with all the necessary steps to try to get the bird back?

These steps are many.  See below.

•           Do you feel comfortable explaining to friends that these

birds are not yours to place without consultation with the Flitesong

Director and that they must go through the proper FCBS

adoption process?

Communication is very important between you as a foster parent and

the FCBS Director. The acceptance of birds into FCBS's foster care

program is a decision that the director must make. You cannot accept

any bird into the FCBS system on a surrender contract without the

FCBS Director’s authorization. Factors affecting our decisions include

availability of a foster home for the particular bird; therefore, we need

to know the following:

·         What do you need to know about a bird before you

agree to foster it?

·         How much notice do you need before a foster bird is

placed in your home?

·         Are you able to go pick up a foster bird and get the surrender

contract signed and not make any judgmental comments when you

pick up the bird?

·         Are you willing to show your foster bird to a potential

adopter, at your home and / or theirs? 

·         Are you comfortable saying 'no' to a potential adopter?

·         Are you willing to let go of your foster bird to another

home without it tearing you up inside?

Please call the FCBS Director IMMEDIATELY if your foster bird is lost

or missing.  Keep in touch with the FCBS Director until the bird is

either found (dead or alive) or the FCBS Director declares it to be

permanently lost. Sometimes a bird is just hiding under the

refrigerator or behind a chair.  Sometimes you see it escape out

an opendoor or window or it escapes from its cage that you might

have put out on the porch so the bird could enjoy the sunshine

and fresh air.  The steps you need to take will typically include:

having to file a lost pet report with the local humane society shelter,

making daily trips to the local humane society shelter to see if the

bird has beenbrought in, placing lost pet ads in the local papers,

putting up flyers in supermarkets, pet stores, and otherretail shops,

and going from door to door in your neighborhood to pass out flyers

with a description and picture. Local schools and playrounds are also

good places to put up flyers. Children often notice things adults miss,

like a little parakeet flying by.

Please contact the FCBS Director immediately if you are having

problems integrating your foster bird into your home.  If the situation

is not possible to resolve, the foster bird will be moved to the main

FCBS shelter or to another FCBS foster home.   Let the FCBS Director

know if you are willing to exchange your foster bird for another that

is better suited to your situation.

Please let the FCBS Director know with as much notice as possible

if you are going out of town and will not be able to have the foster

bird in your home during that time. There are always many birds

awaiting space in our foster program. A lot goes on behind the scenes

to ensure that we help as many birds as possible.  It isnot easy to

find space for “just one more”, however, we respect that you want

to take time off periodically and will work with you to provide

temporary alternative foster care for your foster bird.

life-threatening emergency.  If you have not received prior approval

for veterinary care, FCBS reserves the right to refuse to reimburse

you.

Contact the FCBS Director or other identified person immediately!

If you cannot reach somebody “live” on the phone, please leave a

message on the FCBS main phone line.  To use our donated funds

in the most efficient way, we must always try to use only veterinary

clinics that have an avian veterinarian on staff. Before leaving any

veterinary care facility, be sure you have been made aware of any

follow-up treatment needed and have an itemized receipt.

Symptoms to be most concerned about will include: difficulty in

breathing for extended periods of time, loose, incomplete, or

discolored stool, a change in the amount or frequency of excreta,

frequent regurgitation that is not connected to 'bonding' or courtship

responses, loss of appetite for more than a day, weight lossof more

than 10% of body weight over a short period of time, discolored

runny fluid from the eyes or nares (nostrils), general listlessness

and low energy in contrast to the bird's usual energy level, sitting

fluffed up for long periods of time during the day with the head

tucked under a wing, noticeably drooping head and/orwings,

sleeping on the bottom of the cage when the bird normally

sleeps on a perch.

If your foster bird comes from an unknown background or

questionable circumstances, it is always advisable to keep your

birds separate from your foster birds totally separated from your

own birds for about 30 days at a minimum. Occasionally, quarantine

periods can be up to six months to allow for a thorough medical and

behavioral assessment prior to the bird being placed through adoption

or placed in permanent sanctuary at FCBS. During this time, any

contagious diseases that may have been dormant may

become symptomatic.

Always feed quarantined birds last in your daily routine and wash

their dishes separately from those of your own birds, unless the bird

is a chick that you are hand-feeding.  In that case, feed the chick

first, and then wash up thoroughly before continuing with your daily

bird care chores. If the chick splatters handfeeding formula, change

any soiled clothing before you start feeding other birds.

If a bird is under medical care for any disease or injury, ask the avian

veterinarian treating the bird for the appropriate hygiene protocol

to use and how long the bird needs to remain isolated from other

birds. Remember that birds can transfer diseases via bird 'dander'

(feather dust), fecal material and fecal dust from dried fecal matter,

bodily fluids, and from sharing food, water, cage space, perches,

and toys. Never 'recycle' items made ofporous materials such as

wood, cloth, or leather - the small savings in money to reuse these

items will never beenough to offset the heartache and expense of

a disease from bird to bird through these materials.

It may not be a good idea initially to leave foster birds alone,

unsupervised, with your household birds. Even a friendly bird can

accidentally hurt another bird while playing or exploring new territory.

Be sure to contact the FCBS Director if you are having any problems

with your foster bird. We have many resources to help, such as

alternate caging provisions, different kinds of toys and diet

supplements, and behavioral coaching. Give your foster bird peace

and quiet - almost isolation - for the first few days in your home.

Introduce it to other family members at the bird's pace, not yours.

Behavioral problems can often be traced to too much, too soon,

for a bird that is changing surroundings. Be patient, please.

Donated food and supplies are provided to FCBS foster parents.

Please let the FCBS Director know if you need supplies of any kind. 

Arrangements can be made to get them for you at the most

reasonable price.If you are unable to come to the main FCBS

shelter to get the supplies, delivery can be arranged as well.

,

Also, in connection with keeping our operating costs down, reusable

supplies that can be thoroughly disinfected, such as bird cages

and carriers, remain the property of FCBS once you are no longer

using them for a foster bird.  (One exception is when the person

who surrendered their bird specified in writing that the cage and/or

carrier the bird came in will also transfer with the bird to the

new permanent home.)

Flitesong Fosters have preference over unknown individuals for the

adoption of birds in their own foster care, pending approval of the

Flitesong Adoption Contract by the Flitesong Director.  Flitesong

Fostersalso have first preference for adoption consideration of

fosters in other Flitesong Foster homes over unknownpersons,

assuming the current Foster Home for the bird does not want to

adopt the bird for whatever reason.

Flitesong Fosters wishing to adopt Flitesong birds will complete the

Flitesong Adoption Application and theFlitesong Adoption Contract

and be subject to all the conditions contained therein, including

periodic home inspection. Adoption fees may be waived at the

discretion of the Flitesong Director.  Cages and other accessories

that came with the foster bird remain with the foster bird and its

adoptive home, unless otherwisedocumented when the foster bird

is placed in care.  It is possible that an adoption application and

adoptioncontract from a Flitesong Foster may be denied for a

particular bird for specific reasons.  The bird's long-term, permanent

welfare will be paramount in any adoption placement decision.

No personal offense is ever intended when a request to adopt is

denied, whether you are a Flitesong Foster or a member

of the general public.

The owner of Flitesong Cage Bird Sanctuary will be the final

decision-maker for all disputes regarding adoption requests.

           

Have the person call the FCBS main telephone number and let us

know! Everyone adopting a FCBS bird needs to fill out an adoption

application and go through our screening process.

Under NO circumstances should a foster bird be placed into a home

without a signed adoption agreement and related adoption donation,

if applicable. FCBS is responsible for the bird and liable for the bird’s

behavior until such a document is prepared.  Also NO bird can be

accepted as a Flitesong Foster on a surrender contract without

the FCBS Director’s authorization.

Please offer your telephone number and/or email address to the

person who has adopted your foster bird. This gives them a lifeline

for information during the transition to their home from yours.

The Flitesong Director will call the new family to check on the bird's

welfare and may make a home visit periodically until it is clear that

the bird and its new family are comfortable that the adoption is

working out.  You may also want to check upon the bird

after the adoption.

If someone who has adopted your foster bird calls you directly to say

that they want to give the bird back,please instruct them to call the

FCBS main telephone number. They must leave a message. Their

call will then be returned, usually that same day. It is important that

this process is handled properly so that paperwork is not misplaced,

and so that ownership of the bird is properly transferred back

to FCBS. In addition, if illness, injury or behavioral problems are

the reason they want to return the bird, we may be able to help

the adopter keep their bird after all.

FCBS does not allow fosters for FCBS to also foster for another

organization. This is due to the chance of spreading illnesses,

potential aggression between birds that could result in injury etc.

One can foster for FCBS and volunteer for a different agency, so

as long as it does not involve fostering for both agencies.  If in

doubt, contact the Flitesong Director for assistance. In some cases,

a waiver may be issued in writing to a particular Flitesong Foster

to cover a specific instance of fostering for two organizations.

If you, as a private citizen,take in fosters on your own, it is also

inadvisable to volunteer to foster for Flitesong for the same reasons

as stated above.

Would you like to become a Flitesong Foster? Please fill in the

personal information pages at the end of this agreement, and

then sign the agreement. Your application will be processed

as quickly as possible.

Your dated, witnessed signature on this document will indicate that:

1)       You have read the above information on becoming a

Flitesong Foster and have decided that you want to become a

Flitesong Foster at this time;

2)       You are willing to make a commitment to the procedures

and guidelines contained herein if you are accepted as a

Flitesong Foster;

          and……

3)       You promise your full cooperation with the Flitesong

Director and his/her designees in all matters related to operating

a pet bird foster home under the State of Colorado's Pet Animal

Care Facilities Act (PACFA) for Flitesong birds and being a

Flitesong Foster.

Please complete the attached application to become a Flitesong

Foster.  Your application will be reviewed as quickly as possible. 

You will be informed in writing of your acceptance or denial at

this time. If it is decided to deny your application, the reAsons

for this decision will be communicated to you. It is sometimes

possible to alter certain aspects of the foster home you are

offering in order to be accepted as a Flitesong Foster home in

the future. You are welcome to reapply at any time you believe

your circumstances have changed.

==================================================

FLITESONG FOSTER APPLICATION & AGREEMENT

I, ___________________________________, am willing to follow

all Flitesong Foster procedures and guidelines and promise to provide

full cooperation to the Flitesong Director and her designees in all

matters related to operating a pet bird foster home under the State

of Colorado's Pet Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA) for Flitesong

Cage Bird Sanctuary.  My signature below indicates I understand

and agree to all requirements of a Flitesong Foster and that I have

provided true and accurate information regarding the foster home

I would like to and will offer to Flitesong pet birds

_________________________________________________________

Applicant's Signature                                                Date

_________________________________________________________

Applicant's Home Address (Street, City, ZIP)                                                                          

_________________________________________________________

Home Telephone  

                        

_________________________________________________________

Work Telephone   

                  

_________________________________________________________

Cell Phone

_________________________________________________________

Email Address

The foster home is: ____an apartment or condominium ____a house

____ a mobile home____farm/ranch.

Do you own ? _______or rent? ______If you are currently renting,

has your landlord agreed to allow their property to be used by you

as a Flitesong Foster Home?              ___Yes           ___No

Can you supply a written statement from that person that

confirms this?                                 ___Yes           ___No

 

____Smoke-free household.

____Smoking is common near the birds.

____Smoking occurs in the house, but not near the birds.

____This home has / does not have smoke-detectors.

____This home has / does not have CO2 detectors.

____This home has / does not have Radon detectors.

Please provide a list of all persons who live in the home:

# men _________ ____ages __________________

# women____________ages__________________

# children___________ages__________________

Which household member(s) in addition to yourself will care

for your Flitesong Foster?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Where in the household will the Flitesong Foster bird(s) be kept?

_______________________________________________________

Please provide a list of all other pets living in the home:

# dogs ____________________type:____________________

# cats_____________________type:____________________

# birds ____________________type:____________________

# other - please list numbers by type (for example, reptiles):

_________________________type_____________________

_________________________type_____________________

_________________________type_____________________

In case we need to reach you and are unable to do so through

ordinary means, please provide the name and contact information

on someone who is not living with you but would know

how to reach you:

­­­­­­­_________________________________________________________

Emergency Contact Person's Name              Relationship to You

_________________________________________________________

Emergency Contact's Address                          

_________________________________________________________

Home Number                     Work Telephone Number                                  

_________________________________________________________

Email Address                                     

==================================================

Flitesong Cage Bird Sanctuary Administrative Use Only:

This application was received on __________(date). 

This application has been _______ approved  _____not approved.   

This decision was made by (Flitesong Director or Official Designee):

_________________________________________________________

Printed Name                   Signature                          Date    

                        

If not approved, list the reason(s):

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Applicant was informed of decision on ____________(date)

by ______________________________________________

Name of Flitesong Representative

  

By:  ___telephone ___ USPS ___ email ___ in person.