Every now and then, we must leave our birds. For some of us, it can be a very scary time. For others, leaving their birds with other people is a great escape -- a respite or vacation -- giving both the birds and their humans a much needed break. When you have found a great bird sitter you can trust and depend on, it is a great feeling.

The following people have come forward as being interested in birdsitting and boarding. Some have different experience levels and some are just starting. The Alaska Bird Club cautions you to screen your birdsitters carefully and to make sure it's a match both for you and your birds. The Alaska Bird Club has not interviewed or screened these sitters in anyway. This is simply a networking service; you need to take the time to find the best person for your birds. We highly recommend that you inquire about vet testing or quarantine if your birds will be housed with other birds, even if they are in another room. Birds can carry communicable diseases. Use your best judgement! We also suggest that you put a bird care contract in writing with your birdsitter so that there is no mistake of what you expect from them and what they expect from you. Remember to put an authorization on file with your verterinarian's office so that if the sitter needs to take your bird to the vet, the bird can be treated. It's also a good idea to provide your sitter with alternate contact information for someone who knows your birds, just in case. To help your sitter, you might consider making a video record how you normally care for your birds. However, keep in mind that sometimes a break in the routine is fun and it's all about the sitter setting their own patterns with the birds. This can be a great experience for your birds with the right sitter.

Be prepared ahead of time by keeping a full profile and behavior sheet on record for both your vet and sitter so they can more readily diagnose problems should your bird fall ill while your away. Please visit our Bird Care Downloads page where you can obtain a Parrot Profile form in a variety of formats.

Here is a list of possible local sitters plus a little information about each of them. They are not listed in any particular order. Please contact them directly.

If you'd like to be added to or removed from this list, please e-mail the Alaska Bird Club at akbirdclub@yahoo.com.

April and William of Animal Daycare and Boarding
"All birds are welcome to come stay with us. It is important that the birds have been checked by an avian vet. We have three macaws and two amazons, as well as dogs, cats, turtles and a chinchilla. We also provide care for other people's pets, mostly dogs. We converted our double car garage into a center for animals. Currently we have one bird cage available for a visiting bird; it isn't too big, but there is plenty of room to bring in cages. Please give us a call at 338-7777.

Marie and John Peppers of A-Plus Pet Sitting Service
"We have experience with cockatoos and cockatiels, and we have excellent references. Our speciality is dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets and birds too! Call Marie at 770-5665 or visit the web site at www.apluspetcare.com

Leo
Please call 562-2536. Leo will house sit in your home and has bird experience. He's good with the larger parrots such as the larger cockatoos. Leo can also sit cats, small birds, etc. He is very flexible and would be great as an in-home sitter. Rates start at $15.00/day. Call for specifics on the larger parrots and if you have more than one.

Jenny
Please email parrotperfecting@yahoo.com or call 689-7889. Jenny is a licensed vet tech with special emphasis on avian care. She also runs "Parrot Perfecting" where she does in-home consulting on bird care and grooming. She has been bird sitting for many years and has experience with all sizes of birds.

Colleen
Please call 277-2387. Colleen is a current member of the Alaska Bird Club and has birds of her own. Call her to discuss your requirements. Colleen has experience with budgies, cockatiels, lovebirds and Meyers Parrots and prefers small birds at her home, no more than 2 at a time. She will travel to the birds' home. Colleen has a room for boarded birds that allows them to be seperated from her own birds. Her birds have also been vet checked.

Bonnie
Please call 317-3680. Bonnie has experience with cockatiels and budgies and is willing to sit in your home. Because of where she is living, bringing birds into her home might be a tad hard at the moment. She has been around bigger birds and is comfortable with some of the medium to large species of birds.

Jeanette
Please call 258-3937 (work phone). Jeanette is a Vet Tech Assistant and has experience with medium sized birds, but not bigger birds. She has sat with African Greys and can offer references. She can do in-home stays or birds can come to her home. She currently does not have any birds.

Vicki
Please call 339-7949 or cell 227-6762. Vickie has cockatiel experience and currently has no birds in her home.

Kaitland
Please call 360-5261. Kaitland can do in-house sitting and has experience with cockatiels and budgies. She's also not afraid of medium sized birds and would probably be willing to learn.

Erica
Please call 222-4991. Erica is a Vet Tech Assistant at Alaska Pet Care (where there are avian vets) and prefers to sit birds in her home as she has some dogs and cats as well. She also has a vet-tested dove that is her companion. Erica is willing to sit the big guys: cockatoos and macaws and just about any kind of bird.

Exotic Pet Hotel
Please call 688-9111. Nancy can handle long and short term stays. She only does one bird at a time for safety reasons, so best to call to make a reservation. She's experienced in all sizes and kinds of birds. She also boards other exotic animals like ferrets, lizards, rabbits, etc.

Margie
Please call 830-2547 or 338-1246. Margie has a 5 year old Blue and Gold Macaw and would be interested in bird sitting in her home (you bring the bird to her). She would like to network with others so that she can also leave her bird with you as a kind of trade.

Larry
Please call 245-5574 or 240-6541. Larry and his wife both have medium sized parrots. This couple has the dynamics to possibly sit in your home (his wife can maintain their flock while he sits your birds). Larry has a tight schedule and wanted to be posted in case the stars lined up right and he could help out. Larry is a bird club member and really enjoys parrots.

Julie
Please call 522-4104. Julie is also a bird club member and would prefer to sit birds in her own home. Julie has experience with all sized birds and has quite a few of her own (along with some other critters).

The Alaska Bird Club • P.O. Box 101825 • Anchorage AK 99510
akbirdclub@yahoo.com