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I've been wrestling with the same thoughts. You can create a trust for your birds, but you will have to designate someone to oversee their care. That's the difficult part for me, as no one will feed and care for my birds the way I do. And I have 11!

Hi, I hope I get some responses & opinions. I am doing estate planning for myself ( I am almost 63 & getting things in place early) I have very young parrots, 1 Amazon 12 years old & a BIG handful, (hates all women, except me) 2 African Greys, both will be 18 years old this year....I have NO ONE who can take them, or really wants them.....I dont want them to go to a rescue as there aren't any in my area. It is troublesome for me.....the stress they will go thru, as they are pretty spoiled & set in their ways....... I have a friend who rescues Mccaw's, they are true rescues & not rehome able..She has made arrangements that when she passes, they will be euthanized so as not to go thru the stress of what would become of them. Although I was SHOCKED at her choice when I first heard this.....as time goes on & I have given it alot of thought, it seems best for them. They will never know , they will just go to sleep. Being caged birds, it really is cruel to all parrots as they don't have the benefit of living a fulfilled life like a cat or dog. They are our "slaves" so to speak, in their cages when we say so, out when we allow it. My parrots get out as much as possible when I am not working, they are out, flying freely thru the house, perches EVERWHERE, my house looks like a giant bird cage.... BUT,will they have this if left to another person, ..being separated from each other, living in a new home, new rules, new environment, new routines, new everything, food, treats, new people who handle them in a way they don't know, possibly someone clipping their wings so they never fly again..imagine what all this would do to them physologically..... Yes, I know some parrots will adapt, but with 3,,,I feel they will definitely suffer trauma, quite possibly alot. Then there is the issue of leaving enough funds to care for them..will it go to their care or will the new owners spend it on other things, could another owner have the money needed? All things I am quite concerned over. I owe it to my parrots to give them the best possible life as long as possible. I know I can't control their lives once I am gone..that's the problem, they don't deserve LESS than, & I don't want that for them. they deserve the best life possible as long as they are here, I OWE THEM THAT! So I guess my question is......what is crueler, putting your parrots to sleep upon your death..or the trauma they will go thru as they mourn the loss of their lives & us that love them unconditionable.....as they know it ? Pretty dark & deep, I know

Thank you, all wonderful things to think about. My avian vet retired many years ago..there is no avian vet near me anymore. My vet for my cat & dog doesnt know anyone..I hope & pray in the next 10 or 20 years ( I exoect to be here) God will help me find someone who will love them & do right by them. I intended for my daughter to take them & find homes for them, but she has a rescue dog that attacks birds so they can't go to her for now...in 10 or 20 years, I pray things change..I know I can trust she will do right by them if that means they go to new homes..:/

I'm blessed in that I have two children who would take Timber when the time comes. Will they feed him exactly like I do? Probably not. However, I know he is adaptable since I am his third home (at least) and he has bonded to me. Also, he already knows and accepts the kids, which is a good start. In your situations, I understand it is more difficult. Just my opinion, but where there is life there is hope. While the person who takes your flock members when the time comes may not be ideal, there is no way of knowing if your birds would be "happy" or not, and my initial thought is give them a chance. I'll admit, as Talon implied, I often wonder how satisfying Timber's life is. However, it is all he's ever known. Being hatched in captivity, he's never flown free in the wild or lived a "normal" life. So, I need to believe he is at least content. And, I think he could be content in his next home too. Have you thought about reaching out to some of the forum members (like SRSeedburners) who are younger and might be willing to take on more flock members? Or maybe your avian vet who may know other younger bird enthusiasts who might be willing? Just a thought. It's a quandary I know, and like many other things, there is no perfect answer.