WHAT TO DO IF YOU LOSE YOUR BIRD?

Do not give up too early ...
If a bird flies away, go out at dawn and dusk looking for them. This is when they may come down to feed. You can get help from the National Theft Register on 01869 325699 or jh@ntr.supanet.com For a fee the Register helps with advice, runs a lost and found service, and, for a further fee, will undertake full detective investigations. `"We cover all exotic pets" says John Hayward who runs the Register, " but most of our work is with parrots and tortoises. They are just another commodity to thieves."

 Original artwork by Meriel.cooper@lineone.net

TUDOR WALL PAINTING
HAVE YOU DONE THE FOLLOWING?

Put notices with photo in all local vet surgeries for a 20 mile radius.
Rung all local animal rescue organisations including the RSPCA in a 50 mile radius. This is very important particularly if your bird is handed in badly injured, say, from a cat.
Written a letter to all local papers, free sheets and magazines with a photo. Ring the news desk and tell them that your other birds (or pets or your attractive small child) are pining- this gives the paper a chance to photograph the remaining animal and makes an animal story.
Leafleted houses in local streets.
Put ads in local newsagents.
Told the milkman, the postman and local joggers.
Asked local dog walkers if they saw anything.
Contacted the Parrot Society.
Contacted the police. Costly animals like parrots may have been burgled.
Contacted your pet insurance. Some give help with lost animals.
Rung your local radio station phone in to ask everybody to help.
Asked your local street cleaner if he has come across any corpses.
Asked your local pub if it has a notice board etc. Ditto the Community Centre, Church Hall, vicar, local supermarket etc.
Have you checked fruit trees, parks, allotment buildings, barns, trees near chicken runs, anywhere where a bird might find food.
Put details of your bird on relevant websites.
Put pictures on lamp posts offering a reward, not saying how much. Give your phone number, not your address, on strips of paper in a plastic envelope under the poster so that people can take one if they don't have a pen.
Be prepared for sickos who ring you up to say how they smashed your bird on the head etc. - they are disturbed. Never arrange to meet somebody who says they have your pet, without bringing somebody with you for safety.

DONT DO THIS JUST ONCE. DO ALL THIS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS.

REWARDS

These can be helpful, if only because you can ring the local paper (having already got a story there) and get them to do a follow up story. But be prepared for all kinds of low life people to try to collect the money, without producing the right bird. It is essential to take somebody with you, if you are meeting somebody who says he has your bird. Better safe than sorry.

IF YOU KNOW WHERE THE BIRD IS

Lure the bird down with treats or even attempt to climb the tree. If you climb the tree, take a pillow case, tucked in the belt or back of the trousers, with a long length of clothes line attached so that the bird can be lowered to the ground when captured. This will be easier and safer than trying to climb down with a potentially biting or struggling bird. There should be somebody below to keep track of where the bird goes should it fly off.
Trapping. - Find a suitable cage. Contact local animal rescue groups and wildlife rehabilitators for old cages to borrow. Get permission from neighbours to put a cage in the yard or trees. They are usually happy to give permission to do so. If possible, get the homeowners and their family to check the cages frequently. Put a cage on the ground and sprinkle seed around the opening, lots of peanuts, apples and favorite foods inside. Put another cage in the tree where the bird perches.
To get the cage into the tree:
Practice this procedure before going to the tree where the bird is perching - because repeated attempts may spook it. Put coins into an old and sturdy sock. Tie this to the end of a clothes line. Throw the weighted end over the branch (remembering you will need to bait the cage so not too high up). Tie a smaller string to the door of the cage in such a way as to act as a closeable trap door. Tie one end to the cage door and thread it through the back of the cage so that a tug will shut the door and then hoist the cage into the tree. Trail these strings away from the cage to a distance of 40 or 50 feet and possibly in a place where you can hide i.e. behind a bush or building.