The African Gray Parrot
911 PARROT ALERT is an international initiative dedicated to helping reunite Lost, Stolen and Found parrots with their families. A missing FID (feathered kid) is a Parrotrent's worst nightmare. Every year, thousands of parrots are lost or stolen. Sadly, most are never reunited with their families. 911 Parrot Alert was created to offer help, hope and assistance to Parrotrent's of missing FIDS (lost or found parrots or birds). The more places you notify the better chance of reuniting your LOST or FOUND bird The following links are to Free Lost and Found sites where you may post: Notify the following for both lost and found birds: *Local newspapers- most papers do not charge for "found"ads. Some do charge for "lost"ads If you have lost a bird here are some tips for finding your • Search for your bird in your neighborhood. Spread the word to neighbors and neighborhood children that your bird has escaped and let them know what your bird looks like. While searching, bring along a favorite toy or treat. Make familiar sounds. • Put your bird’s cage outside so if he’s nearby he can see it. Many times, your bird may be near but too scared to even vocalize to let you know it. The cage and familiar toys will help to entice him. • If your bird has a favorite feathered friend, bring him/her outside (in his cage). You’ll only want to do this if you are home to watch over things to ensure the safety of your bird’s friend and his cage. • If you have any outside pets your bird doesn’t like or fears, be sure to bring them in so they won’t scare your bird away. AROUND YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: • Keep in touch with your neighbors. Make sure they know how to contact you if they even THINK they’ve heard or seen him. • It’s quite possible that once your bird gets hungry, he will go to any human. Make sure you post signs (at least in a one mile radius near where your parrot escaped) describing your bird and giving contact information. AROUND YOUR AREA: • Post signs in local veterinarian’s offices, pet stores, grocery stores, apartment bulletin boards (usually near the mailboxes areas). Have your kids post signs on the school’s bulletin board. Anywhere you think the signs will be noticed. - If you really get the word out there, it increases the chances that your bird may be returned - • Contact your area animal rescue/shelters and have them put your bird on file so they can look out for it. Make sure they have a way to contact you. Call them every few days to make sure you keep it fresh on their minds. Be sure to ask how long they keep a lost animal on file and be sure to call back and re-list your bird if you’re still looking for him. • Contact any local bird breeders and let them know about your lost bird. Speak with managers at your local pet stores and let them know when you post the lost bird poster on their bulletin board. Let them know to be on the lookout. Sometimes people ‘find’ parrots and try to sell them to pet shops for quick cash. • Place a LOST ad in your area newspaper(s). If you offer a reward it may increase the chances that your bird will be returned. On all posters, ads, etc. make sure you mention how your lost bird is ‘family’ to you (and your children perhaps). Stress how much you care for your bird and it may help to persuade someone who may not initially intend on returning a ‘found’ bird. • If you do recover your lost bird, make sure to let your neighbors know and thank them for any help. Make sure you remove all the posters you put up and contact anyone you called to be on the lookout and let them know.
*Local Humane Society/Shelters/SPCA: some shelters only keep found birds 3-7 days
*Bird shops and pet shops that sell bird supplies
*Local Bird Clubs
*Local Avian Vets
*Give a flyer to your mail carrier, or post one at your mailbox
*Radio Stations/Newspapers (for a story)
*Bird Sanctuaries near your area
*Zoos
*Police/ sheriff: Make sure to physically file a report if you have lost a bird
AROUND HOME:
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PET RECOVERY SERVICES THAT SOLICIT
We suggest that, if the service appears of value (calling neighbors is all but useless, compared to putting up flyers), take their phone number and call them back before signing up. Also, ask your local shelter, as well as the BBB if they have knowledge of the organization/company. Finally, are they nonprofit? If they claim they are, ask for their tax-exempt number!
Owners of missing pets are vulnerable, and want to try everything to get their pet back. But it exacerbates the stress to get scammed by someone who preys on that very vulnerability.
EMAIL SCAMS
Email Scammers find their way in to our lives through many avenues. One way is with Lost and Found Pets.
For the owners of lost birds, they use the ploy that they have your pet and will return it if you pay them up front (even before you see it). Please know that only a scammer would do that. If you give them money (through any avenue) you will just have lost money. They don't have your bird. Any person that really has your bird would gladly let you see them.
For those that have found birds, they will ask you to 'ship' the bird to them. This is also a scam. Protect yourself.
Our suggestion when trying to find your lost bird or to find a found bird's owner is to memorize a few distinguishing features about the bird. That can be a certain mark, a broken toenail, a specific phrase they might say, or the color/number of their band. Then ask the person that wants to claim the bird or claims to have the bird to tell you the answers to your questions. Quiz them...be protective of your bird!
PLEASE BEWARE - Do NOT be scammed by someone who is trying to break your heart even further. You can protect yourself. Here are some great rules of thumb to follow:
• Make sure the person will meet you in person (even if they are out of state)
- follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts
• Never wire funds via Western Union, Moneygram, or any other any other wire service
- anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer
• Never give out financial information
-bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.
• Fake Cashier Checks given to people (rewards) are common, and banks WILL CASH THEM
-YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later
• Avoid deals involving -any- type of shipping, or escrow services
-Know that ONLY A SCAMMER- will "GUARANTEE" your transaction
Who should I notify about fraud or scam attempts?
-FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
-FTC online complaint form (www.ftc.gov)
-Canadian PhoneBusters hotline: 888-495-8501
-Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov)
-Non-emergency number for your local police department
