Frequently Asked Questions – Services
Q: How much will it cost to board my bird with you?
A: Pricing is dependent on the number of birds to be boarded, species, season and the size of the cage selected. Please call or email for a quote and to check availability. Extended stays (more than a fortnight) require a deposit of 50% at drop off. There is an early bird special available if bookings are paid in full three months in advance.
Q: Are you just a boarding facility? Do you provide any other services?
A: While Bird Boarding is primarily set up to facilitate the boarding of companion parrots, demand for other services has allowed us to interact with companion parrot guardians on many levels. We have developed a range of premium companion parrot services.
Extra services that we provide include, but are not limited to:
- Basic parrot grooming procedures (wing and nail clipping)
- One-on-one behavioural consultations
- Seed to pellet diet conversions
- Bathing
- Bird broking
- Bird adoption
- Bird re-homing
- Provision of parrot specific equipment such as toys, educational DVDs, food, basic health supplies, etc.
Bird Boarding works in close association with the West Brunswick Veterinary Clinic. Any medical issues should be referred directly to the clinic on (03) 9387 6166.
Q: I am leaving in the morning. Why are you only open in the afternoon?
A: As I'm sure you know, caring for parrots takes a great deal of effort. Cages must be thoroughly cleaned and the food replaced each morning. Every bird must be exercised individually and allowed to settle in for the day. For this reason, we keep the shop closed in the hours before 1 p.m.
We suggest that you drop off your bird on the afternoon before you leave for your holiday. Parrots are very perceptive animals and do not enjoy environments that are full of anxiety and tension, such as the ‘pre-holiday dash'. Bringing your parrot in the day before you leave allows the parrot to settle in and best of all, gives you one less thing to do on the morning of your departure. We encourage you to dial in before you leave for your holiday and receive a brief report on how your bird is settling in to the new environment.
First time boarders often benefit from an overnight trial stay in the weeks leading up to boarding. This is particularly helpful if you are leaving the bird with us for a long period of time.
Q: I miss my bird while I'm away. Is there any way I can keep in touch?
A: Yes! Bird Boarding has a live web cam that is available for use by clients. Please ask for the username and password when you drop off your bird. Feel free to dial in for an update during the initial stages of your bird's stay. We will reply to your email questions at any stage during your bird's stay.
Q: Can you arrange for my bird to be picked up from and dropped off to my house?
A: A transport service can be provided at a cost of $1.00 per kilometre. This service is usually only offered to people who will have some difficulty transporting their bird to and from Bird Boarding. Owner drop off and pick up is preferred. This allows the bird to settle in while the guardian and Bird Boarding team have a chance to discuss the stay. Pensioners in the metropolitan district receive this service free of charge.