We hear so much about adopting a dog or cat but rarely hear about adopting a bird. Birds are wonderful pets that provide comfort, companionship and entertainment.

In 2002, ASPCA declared that January would be dedicated to finding happy homes for the thousands of companion birds that are abandoned annually. These precious feathered friends will fly into your home and capture your heart.

There are countless breeds of birds to adopt. Do your research to learn which type would fit into your lifestyle for a long and rewarding relationship with your feathered friend. Some of the things to consider before adopting are cost, noise level, space and commitment. We have written a little about the five most popular breeds to get you started.

Parakeets/Budgies

Parakeets are the most popular pet birds, they offer the companionship without the burden of a 50 year plus commitment. If you have never before owned a bird or have children the parakeet would be a good choice for you. They require less space and maintenance than larger bird species. These little beautifully colored birds are quite intelligent and affectionate. Most are content to sing and whistle but don’t be surprised if they learn to say a word or two. With time and patients they will love to be stroked, held and talked to. They will require around thirty minutes a day of interaction with you. Parakeets are drawn to shiny things (a mirror is a must), things that make noise, and objects they can move around with their beaks or feet. The average life expectancy is 12 to 14 years.

Cockatiels

These Australian natives are colorful medium sized and members of the parrot family. Their advanced whistling and singing abilities are remarkable. They are capable of talking but prefer to whistle and mimic sounds. Cockatiels can be very vocal when they wake up, before they go to sleep and if you have been out for a while and come home to them. They can get spoiled and learn now to control you with their excessive screaming. This behavior occurs because they are extremely social birds. Males are a bit more vocal where the females are fairly quiet. A single bird will be more attached to their owner and will be more demanding of your attention. Getting two birds will help give them the socializing they require. The average life expectancy is 15 to 20 years.

Finches and Canaries

Finches and Canaries are good choices for a family with children or older adults since they require less maintenance and prefer to stay in a cage. Canaries are famous for their singing while Finches are known for their extraordinary colors and markings. They are not usually finger-tamed and need the largest cage you can afford so they have plenty of room. Most finches need to be in pairs one male, one female or large groups. Canaries on the other hand, have a reputation of needing to be housed alone. The male canary sings only to attract a mate, so there will be less singing if a female is present. If you must keep a single male make sure he has a large cage to fly around and several toys to entertain himself. These little birds thrive in small flocks and do not need much human interaction. They are perfect pets for those who love to watch birds. Finches and canaries tend to be messy eaters so it would be wise to place their cage in an area that can be easily cleaned up. They are charming, captivating, peaceful to watch and can live for up to 10 years.

Lovebirds

Some say the Lovebirds are the most preferred pet bird. Many people believe lovebirds must be kept in pairs but this is not true. A single lovebird bonds to you rather than to another lovebird making a better pet. If less interaction is what you want and you are away from home a lot then get two. Lovebirds will play endlessly and are quite the clowns. Lovebirds are a small parrot with the same intelligence and abilities of larger parrots. They need plenty of toys to keep them from getting bored. Be aware of their ability to escape their own cages to play around the house. And watch your buttons as they love to pull them off! They love to snuggle and preen. Lovebirds can learn to mimic sounds and have been know to speak on occasion. These birds are fairly quiet companions, making them ideal for those who live in apartments or condominiums. The Lovebird has a life expectancy of up to 20 years.

African Greys

African Greys have been said to be the most intelligent of birds but are not for everyone! A home with small children would not be recommended. They require a large commitment of your time, effort, patience and attention. For good mental health they need three hours out of their cage daily and 45 minutes of physical interaction. These birds are very strong and they can bite with their strong pointed beak. A lot of stimulating toys are needed due to their high intelligence and to avoid boredom. Have several toys so they can be switched and rotated regularly to keep them constantly stimulated. If your African Grey does not interact with different people regularly they will bond to one person and be shy around strangers. Most greys do not start speaking until 2 years old and have the capacity to have a vocabulary of over 2000 words. Do not choose an African Grey for their ability to speak since you will get no guarantee of that happening. It has been said that they can mimic well which is true but they can actually learn to speak in sentences and answer questions. Adequate space is required for a larger cage to accommodate your bird. They are full of character and are more human than some will admit. They are cautious birds but once you win the trust of an African Grey they will become your best friend. Greys typically live 50-70 years.

Be a responsible pet owner and take your bird to your vet for proper care. Remember birds can live for quite a while, but dirty cages and poor nutrition can shorten their life span.

Visit your local shelter or visit bird adoption to find your new forever friend.

by Caitlin

Parrots make great pets because they’re beautifully colored and have the unique ability to imitate human voices. Importantly, parrots are intelligent, which makes them sociable and affectionate companions that require stimulation beyond a few toys or a couple of minutes’ playtime at the end of your workday.

So one of the most important things to consider before buying a parrot is how much time you can give to him or her. Parrots’ life spans, (particularly large parrots) rival human life spans, and so buying a parrot means gaining a companion for life.

Research suggests that a parrot’s time is divided up between eating, resting and playing. While you can diversify her diet by offering things like mineral chew stones and seed toys, you can really bond with your pet during play time. Try not to leave your parrot unattended or in silence for too many hours of the day as this can result in a bored or depressed bird. During work hours, turn on the radio softly, and try to look in on him during lunch times.

At the same time, parrots have adapted incredibly well to living in parrot cages (kind of like “her cage is her castle”), and even to having their wings clipped, in part because they live very well in company and bond easily with their owners. You can keep your parrot entertained with a wide range of toys, made from wood, leather and rope, and consider making your own from champagne corks, envelopes, string, toilet rolls or bells. Remember to ensure that there are no colorants or sharp items that can harm your bird.

It’s important to exercise your parrot. You can do this in your house or in the garden, depending on your set up. Get smooth, non-poisonous branches as perches for him, and offer him new experiences such as taking a bath, meeting insects in the garden or letting him climb a safe piece of furniture. You’ll find that your parrot will slot in with your routine – going to bed when you cover his cage at night, and waking up when you stir in the mornings – making him a cheerful, easy companion to live with and returning your affection tenfold.

Caitlin is a writer working in Edinburgh. She owns an African Grey Parrot named Oscar who is 14 years old. She rehabilitated him after removing him from a home where he was treated badly, but he’s doing much better now. She also owns a parakeet Sun Conure named Rudy who is 4 years old.

by Tiffany Current

Moving in together can be a big adjustment. Instead of making decisions for one, you have to compromise on everything — the dishes, the dusting, the dinner parties. If your partner has a pet, it complicates things even more. Sure, seeing this cuddly creature on an occasional basis was a breeze, but how will you handle living with it every single day?

Pretend like you’re dealing with your in-laws. After all, it’s practically the same thing. You’re two parties brought together by one common interest — your partner. So if you want to make the best of your new situation (and live in pet harmony), follow these simple guidelines:

Give ‘em a reason to like you

You can win over your partner’s pooch or calico kitty the same way you won over your mother-in-law. By showering it with gifts and attention. Give Whiskers her favorite treats, change Fido’s water, play catch with Rags. Just keep rewarding your pet-in-law, so it will start seeing you in a favorably light — instead of as competition for your partner’s love. In time, this positive reinforcement will help you gain your new pet’s trust and affection.

Don’t Go Overboard

You want your in-laws to like you, but you need to know when to take a step back too. The same logic applies to your partner’s pet. Remember, animals like attention, but they don’t want to be smothered. So give them a little space when they ask for it. If Snuggles is tired of playing with his ball, don’t force him into another round. If Snowball wants to take a catnap, let her sleep without being interrupted. You can’t force your in-laws into liking you. Just let it happen naturally — or it may not happen at all.

Don’t be the bad guy

Inevitably, your in-laws will do or say something that’ll get under your skin (whether it’s intentional or not). Your new pet is no different. One day you’ll discover Frisky scratching your loveseat or using your favorite shoe as a chew toy. When that happens, make sure you have a good disciplinary plan in place. Talk to your partner beforehand about what to do if (or, more accurately, when) your pet acts out. Should you speak to Coju in a stern voice? Or simply spray him with a quick squirt of water? Figure out a punishment that both you and your partner can agree on.

During the first few weeks of your cohabitation, have your significant other dole out the punishment. After all, you’re in a new living situation with your pet-in-law. You don’t want Rover associating any negative behavior with you. Over time, you can ease into the disciplinary role. But for now, stand on the sidelines until your new pet warms up to you.

Pull Your Weight

In-laws can be a lot of work. Sometimes you’ll waste a whole day running errands for your father-in-law or making small talk with your partner’s sister. It’s no fun. In fact, it’s a chore. And chores are a big part of caring for your new pet-in-law too — like cleaning out the litter box, brushing your puppy’s matted fur, or struggling to cut your cat’s nails.

Right off the bat, you and your partner should discuss who does what when it comes to pet chores. Are you doing a 50/50 split, 80/20, or 100/0? By talking it out beforehand, you cut down on any potential disagreements and unrealistic expectations. So figure out what type of split works best for your live-in relationship (and for your pet too).

The Cost of Living

Just like you have to pitch in for your in-laws’ birthdays, anniversaries, and holiday gifts, you’ll have to pitch in for your pet-in-law too. There’s the vet bill, toys, endless supply of kibble. It all adds up. So how much are you willing to contribute to your new pet’s cause? Will you even be able to afford it?

Before you pull out that checkbook, make a list of all your typical monthly pet expenses. Now look at your own monthly budget. What percentage can you allocate to pet costs without breaking the bank? Go with that number (even if it’s a small one). Because giving a little is better than giving nothing at all.

Remember, it took time and effort to win the love and respect of your in-laws. Stick with it, and you can do the same with your pet-in-law too.

Tiffany Current is a relationship expert and author of the book, “How to Move in with Your Boyfriend (and Not Break Up with Him)”. She likes to spend her time writing, watching movies with her husband, and pestering Shelly her own cat-in-law.

Peach-faced lovebirds - available at iStockphoto.com!

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Adopting a pet parrot is a relationship like no other. Loving, intelligent and beautiful, it’s easy to see why these amazing feathered friends make the ideal pet. However, owning such a rewarding creature takes a great deal of time, care and commitment. If you owned reptiles, you wouldn’t leave them all day in vivariums, or dogs all day in kennels would you. So, why would it be any different with a parrot?

Parrots can live to 100 years of age!
Adopting parrots and leaving them all day in bird cages, can lead them to suffer from physical and emotional behavioural problems. Remember, parrots are extremely intelligent and as a result can become easily bored if neglected. The relationship between owner and bird is a special one and unlike any other domestic pet, can last an incredibly long time. Surprisingly, parrots can outlive their owners and reach a ripe old age of 100!

Does a parrot fit in with your lifestyle?
It is therefore, so important to be certain that you are adopting a parrot for the right reasons and are able to provide for them a long and healthy life. In other words, adopting a parrot is a lifetime commitment and never an impulse buy.
With this in mind, time and care are two words that are commonly used when explaining the relationship between bird and human. It is consequently vital, to consider your personal commitments before adopting these beautiful birds. A single tame bird will require a lot of human contact and so a busy work schedule or private life that takes you away from your feathered friend for long periods of time is not appropriate. Remember, your parrot didn’t choose to be adopted. So, please, make sure you have researched everything there is to know about the bird before embarking or “emsquawking ” on a commitment that could last a lifetime.

Final thoughts
Finally, owning a parrot is a massive responsibility unlike any other domesticated pet. They require attention, exercise and a lifetime of care. Birds permanently neglected and left in parrot cages, waiting for their life to be over is a shocking and sad sight and not an existence worthy for such an intelligent and beautiful creature. So, if you have even the slightest worry that this will happen, then please let someone else have the chance to provide this beautiful bird with the long, happy and healthy life it so clearly deserves.

Joseph Lewis from Petvillas
My background is from a copywriting perspective and I have created copy for Ford, Cancer Research and The Dogs Trust and also worked on the huge catalogue of pet products that we distribute from our website. I have great experience working in the pet industry. I am also an animal lover and have been rescuing abused dogs and cats since I was a child, so I care passionately about the creatures I write about.

image: http://www.curiosoft.com

If you love working with animals, becoming a veterinarian isn’t your only job option. There are quite a few animal-related careers that will allow you to be surrounded by animals on a daily basis while still earning a living. Some don’t pay as well as others but there’s definitely something to be said for loving what you do.

So here’s a list of top 10 jobs working with animals . . . so you can get your furry fix anytime!

Little to No Formal Academic Training Necessary

• Pet Sitter – Many people don’t want to leave their beloved pets in a kennel when they go away. When you take care of the animals, they get specialized treatment in their own environment.

• Wildlife Rehabilitation – If you don’t mind mundane tasks and are committed to helping animals, consider wildlife rehabilitation. The rewards that come with the job include connecting with nature and knowing that you are helping animals as you relieve their suffering. Wildlife rehabilitators feed animals, bandage, and help with fluid therapy. They also clean cages and help capture and transport wounded animals. You do not require a degree for this job.

• Animal-Assisted Therapy – Pets can help humans sort through problems other humans can’t. Work with animals with appropriate temperaments to reach out and help humans with physical and emotional disabilities.

• Pet Groomer – Learn to become a pet groomer by assisting one or attending a professional grooming school. An expert groomer is well versed in caring for a wide variety of animal breeds and knows how to handle animals with care. While a formal education is helpful, it’s not required.

• Animal Trainer – Become an animal trainer by attending a college specializing in hands-on training or by working with a professional animal trainer. Marine mammal trainers generally have to have a bachelor’s degree. An animal trainer should have patience and a gift for problem solving as well as a sensitivity to animals.

• Barn Manager – A barn manager is involved with many different aspects of animal care from scheduling vet visits to monitoring feed. Experience is a must for this job, and it’s beneficial to have a degree in an area such as management.

Jobs Requiring Degrees

• Animal Therapist – An animal therapist works with injured animals to help increase mobility after an injury. They also help animals rehabilitate after surgeries or brain injury. The animal therapist is a licensed individual who helps an animal manage pain while improving an animal’s quality of life. To work as an animal therapist, you need a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy with a concentration in animals.

• Zoologist – A zoologist studies animals in their natural surroundings. Generally, a zoologist specialist specializes in one animal type. Zoologists generally hold a degree in biochemistry, microbiology, zoology, or a related field.

• Marine Biologist – A marine biologist studies different facets of marine life. In order to get a career in marine biology, you must take many science courses. You might want to consider a Master’s Degree in marine ecology, ichthyology, marine biology, cytology, or aquarium sciences.

• Veterinarian – A veterinarian is a doctor for animals. This requires extensive formal education. A veterinarian must earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in addition to receiving a license from the state in which they plan to practice.

Whether you are young or old, there are many options for animal lovers. Check out eLearners for a nice list of courses related to working with animals. Use education, interest, and experience to find the perfect, pet-related job.

Pets have been around for as long as I can remember (which is quite a while). They have also been on many, many television shows over the years. Some of them have carried the entire show. They entertain, amuse and amaze with their tricks and talent. Here are some I actually remembered and some I found looking around the internet. As I was thinking and looking so many memories of these beloved pets returned. Go ahead and read through them and see how many of them you remember. If you remember any that are not listed, please let us know.

Flintstones – Dino the dinosaur
The Brady Bunch – Tiger the dog
Married with Children – Buck the dog
The Beverly Hillbillies – Duke the Hound dog
Topper – Neil the St Bernard
Full House – Comet the dog
Baretta’s – Fred the Cockatoo
Lost in Space -Vincent the dog
Sabrina the Teenage Witch – Salem Saberhagen the cat
Green Acres – Arnold the pig
Gentle Ben – Ben the bear
Skippy – Skippy the kangaroo
Flipper – Flipper the dolphin
The Addams Family – Thing the human hand & Kitty Kat the lion
Friends -Marcel the monkey
Columbo – Fang (or Dog) the dog
Dharma and Greg – Stinky and Nunzio the dogs
The Dukes of Hazzard – Flash the dog
Frasier – Eddie the dog
Hart to Hart – Freeway the dog
Lassie – Lassie the dog
Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood – Bob the dog
Empty Nest – Dreyfus the dog
Saving Grace – Gus the dog
South Park – Jimmy the dog
The Bionic Woman – Maximillian the dog
Pee Wee’s Playhouse – Roosevelt the dog
That 70s Show – Schotzie the dog
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir – Scruffy the dog
Hazel -Smiley the dog
Mad about You – Murray the dog
Magnum PI – Apollo and Zeus the dogs
My Three Sons -Tramp the dog
Petticoat Junction – Dog the dog
Spin City – Rags the dog
Punky Bruster – Brandon the dog
The Roy Rogers Show – Bullet the dog
Mr Ed – Mr Ed the talking horse
7th Heaven – Happy the dog
Miami Vice – Elvis the Alligator
The Jetsons – Astro the dog
The Simpsons – Santa’s Little Helper the dog
The Simpsons – Snowballs II the cat
Family Guy – Seabreeze the dog
Scrubs – Rowdy the dog
Honey West – Bruce the ocelot
Dukes of Hazzard – Flash the dog
The Munsters – Igor the bat
BJ & the Bear – Bear the chimp
The Cosby Show – Lamont the fish
Little House on the Prairie – Jack the dog
The Nanny -Chester the dog

As a responsible and caring bird owner, the most important decision you’ll ever make is choosing the right sized cage for your feathered friend. It’s vital that you provide your companion with adequate space in order for them to live a long and healthy life. Think about it, your bird will be spending a great deal of time in its new home and so it will need to be able to have enough room to walk around and feel comfortable in.

However, with so many different cage sizes and shapes to choose from, it can be a little confusing when shopping for your pet. But fear not, at Just Shops we provide you with a clear set of guidelines that will make the process of choosing a bird cage a lot clearer.

As ardent bird lovers, we care passionately about the health and long term happiness of your feathered pets and as a general rule of thumb (or claw), we find it’s best to buy the largest cage you can afford. Whether your pet bird is a large macaw or a small finch, they all adore plenty of space to spread their wings and exercise, so the bigger the better.

Remember, the cage will become your bird’s home, a place where it can eat, sleep and play in, so you’ll need to make sure that the cage is a place it feels safe and secure without feeling restricted or trapped. If you cannot afford the right sized cage for the breed of bird you want, then you shouldn’t get that breed of bird. It really is that simple. A cage that is too small and constrained can damage the health and happiness of your pet resulting in severe behavioural problems, such as feather plucking, screaming and pecking. It’s also important to remember that cage space will be lost if you decide to add any pet accessories such as stands, toys and eating equipment.

Bar spacing is another important issue to look at when selecting a bird cage. If you are purchasing a cage for smaller birds such as finches or lovebirds, then the bars need to be spaced no more than a half an inch apart, to stop it from escaping or getting caught between the bars. Don’t forget that birds are naturally intelligent and intuitive creatures and will often surprise their owners through their constant escapology stunts. We’ve spoken to many people who have often seen their feathered Houdinis squeeze through the bars of their cage and this was after being told by untrustworthy pet sites that their cage would be safe and secure. Larger birds such as African Grays or Large Macaw Parrots prefer to have bars that measure horizontally so they can use them to climb on and hang from to ensure plenty of exercise and muscle development.

Shockingly, our research shows us that many online pet stores are more than happy to supply customers with an incorrect cage size. Not only is this a complete abuse of animal welfare but it’s sending out the wrong message to people. At Just Shops we loathe the practice of forcing birds to live in small sized cages and go out of our way to take customers under our wing and educate them on the correct environments in which to raise a pet bird.

We explain to a lot of our customers that research and knowledge are vital before purchasing a bird. By knowing more about the bird you plan to raise, the more chance there is of it living a long and happy life. But, as we have spoken about earlier many people are being lied to and sold incorrect sized cages by untrustworthy suppliers.

At Just Shops we ensure that we supply our customers with branded products that are of the highest quality. All of our quality products are designed with the welfare of the bird in mind and this means that all of our cages are created to last the life span of the animal and if you the owner of a parrot this could mean at least a few decades!

So, by buying from a respected and trusted brand that as an owner, you are ensuring that your pet experiences a better quality of life. We also make sure that all of our http://www.justcages.co.uk/ are easy to clean and maintain by providing large surface areas and removable cleaning trays. Our high quality cages are easy to clean due to the materials that we use and we maintain that all of our products are toxic free.

In conclusion, if you want your bird to live a long and happy life then the best possible decision you can ever make is giving him the perfect home.

About the Author:
Joseph Lewis from http://www.petvillas.co.uk/
Quality parrot & bird cages!

My background is from a copywriting perspective and I have created copy for Ford, Cancer Research and The Dogs Trust and also worked on the huge catalogue of pet products that we distribute from our website. I have great experience working in the pet industry. I am also an animal lover and have been rescuing abused dogs and cats since I was a child, so I care passionately about the creatures I write about.