The holiday season is a time for travel and for pet owners that can be especially stressful.  Finding kennels for cats and dogs is relatively easy, but how about one that specializes in birds?  One that will recognize the importance of the seemingly small details that are so critical to good bird care? Thinking about it is enough to make you pull your hair out!  Not to fret, while it can be a seemingly overwhelming burden ... there is hope. There are many options to choose from.  There are several in-house pet sitting services that have avian knowledge.  Also, boarding is available at a facility set up specifically for avians, at your vets, or you can even entrust your bird to a dependable friend while on holiday.

If you are transporting your bird to a boarding facility you be sure you can do so safely with a travel carrier appropriate for your bird.

When hiring a professional pet sitting service to come into your home and care for your animals, consider a few things.

• Is the business professional and licensed
• Is the business professional and bonded, and/or insured?
• What prior experience with avians does the caretaker have?

Getting recommendations from other bird owners is a good way to start the search for a professional sitter. You can also use online resources such as the website for the National Associate of Petsitters located at www.petsitters.org to find a petsitter in your area that meets your requirements.  Many sitters also arrange a pre-meeting so they can come to your house and meet with you.  That way you can review how they interact with your animals and is highly recommended.  If you hire through an agency, make sure the agency is in good standing with your local and state agencies. Be sure you get a signed contract of services rendered, and that it explains clearly what liability the company/agency will take if unexpected accidents happen in your absence.

For whatever venue you choose to board your bird while you are away, be sure to ask the caretaker of the bird questions such as those listed below to ensure the health and happiness of your pets:

• What type of training do you have?
• Do you have previous experience caring for exotics & avians?
• How many other pet sitting obligations will the sitter have during the period they will have your pet(s) under their care?
• Can the employee provide references?
• What precautions will the sitter take to prevent the transmission of diseases?
• How many times a day will they come to your home, and how much time will they spent at each visit?
• Will they interact with the bird, clean the cage, etc.
• What is the cost of each service?
• Are they willing to cook food for your bird or will all supplies have to be prepared in advance?

You want to also touch base with the employee and find out how knowedgeable they are about your species of bird(s).  If they have general knowledge, it may be a good idea to send home some literature about your birds.  That way you ensure they will will know the differences in species and the particular care each species may require.  A lesson on how to properly handle the bird would be important as well.  Be sure to leave a large flyer in an easy to locate place, i.e. the fridge for instance, detailing the emergency contact numbers, your number, alternate number, and avian vet number in case of emergency.

Good luck in your search for the ideal pet sitter.  While the search may be harder then expected, the reward of leaving with peace of mind that your pet is safe will make your vacation all the better.  Happy travels!

A travel carrier is an essential accessory for a bird owner.  Whether it be for car trips, road trips or traveling by plane, your bird will need a comfortable and safe way to travel with you.  Travel carriers do not need to be as big as your bird’s regular cage, but should be large enough for the bird to fit comfortably and move around a bit. Keep in mind the duration your bird will be in the carrier — for a shorter day trip, a smaller carrier is fine.  For a longer trip the bird will spend one or more days in, a larger carrier is recommended.  An ideal carrier for up to a week’s travel time for small to medium-size birds is the Poquito Avian Hotel.

Poquito  Avian Hotel

Types of Carriers

Depending on what type of travel you plan, there are many types of carriers available for your use. Airline approved carriers are a must for flight. Commonly used carriers include cat and dog carriers, modified to hold a perch and food dishes.  There are bird specific carriers available including collapsible wire carriers with grates and locking trays, heavy duty stainless steel carriers available for those with big beaks, highly durable easy-to-carry aluminum carriers, and even acrylic or polycarbonate carriers.  For short trips hand held carriers that have a mesh front may be ideal and are suitable for smaller birds that aren’t apt to chew.  Whatever your desire, there is a model available that will suit you and your bird.  I personally chose a wire knockdown model that allows the carrier to be stored easily when not in use.  A great space saver!

Setting up the Travel Carrier

Choose a perch that will provide firm footing for your bird.  Stay away from slick woods like manzanita and choose perches such as rope.  I recommend perches like grapevine, cholla, or rope that will allow your bird to have a good grip.  A perch should be installed toward the front of the carrier to accomodate the birds tail.  Also in case of a sudden stop the bird will not be thrown forward, but will be able to lean forward and grab the front of the carrier.  When choosing a toy for the carrier select one made out of soft material, and  preferably mount it on the side of the carrier so the toy does not move when the vehicle is in motion.

Getting Ready to Go

Your bird should be comfortable and used to his carrier before any long trip.  Putting his favorite toy and treats in the carrier will help put him at ease.  Once he is used to his carrier it is advisable to take the bird on several short trips prior to the real trip.  This will let you see how the bird reacts to the carrier and also to the trip.  It is not uncommon for some parrots to experience car sickness, like my greencheek conure. If your bird does exhibit car sickness there are several things you can do to help ease the effects including:  covering the carrier, trying the carrier in both the back and front seats of the car(safely buckled in), and if all else fails offering shredded ginger root prior to the trip can help ease any stomach upset.

Be sure to always secure your bird’s carrier with a seatbelt or other device.  Like little children, a bird in a front seat could be vulnerable to injury if there was an accident and air bags were deployed.

Also be sure to bring adequate food and water for your feathered companion. It is recommended that providing juicy fruit or an ice cube will replace water on a short journey, as the bird will still recieve necesarry liquids without worry of water spilling.  On extended travels your bird will need out of cage time, so a portable playgym or T-stand is recommended.  There are several models available that break down making it easy for you to carry.

Before vacation day, it is recommended that you make sure your bird has been properly groomed.  While some articles say that your bird requires a health certificate before any travel, this is largely untrue.  If you are driving with your pet you will not need to provide proof of health inside the US.  If you are flying or traveling by other means it is required that you have a recent (within 30 day) health certificate for all animals.  If your bird is fully flighted, a harness for the journey is necessary to ensure your bird will not escape.  I personally chose to clip all my birds prior to travel, as I want to be able to grab them quickly without worrying about putting on a harness in an emergency.

Always keep safety in mind while traveling.  Keep your bird in the carrier while the vehicle is in motion.  Climate and altitude changes can affect your pet  so be sure to have weather conditions checked ahead of time.  It is best to avoid crowds and never let your bird out of your sight.  It is also advised to reserve your hotel ahead of time, so that you can be sure the place you rest is pet friendly.  I found that Drury Suites Hotels were very accomodating and pet friendly.

It is also recommended that you bring along emergency contact numbers of both pet sitters and your avian vet.  Carry your avian first aid kit, in case of an accident.  Documents such as proof of ownership, breeders name/address, medical records, and a recent photo of your bird is recommended.  Some owners have taken a further step and also microchipped their avian companions.  If you have done this be sure to have the chip’s information in a safe place, and take it on your travels.  The chance that you will need all this documentation and information is slim; however, the information would prove invaluable in case of an emergency.