1. Register and pay your membership (only members may look after our birds);
2. Make sure you are logged into the website;
3. Head to the resources section in the member’s area and fill in the safehouse application form; or
4. Head over to our bird listings, choose the bird you wish to give a forever home to, click on the foster button on their profile, and fill in the application form.

When a bird comes into the charity from a donor, they are temporarily placed in a safehouse for evaluation. Safehouses are the backbone of Birdline: we do not have regional centres where birds are kept, rather they are cared for by our members until they are ready to find a long term foster home.

• The safehouse will care for, rehabilitate and assess the bird prior to being put on the foster list.
• The Safehouse is responsible for providing toys and perches, food, (including fruit and vegetables), daily cleaning, love, and attention.
• Vet bills for safehouse birds are paid for by Birdline.
• Evaluations of birds should be completed on request, usually within 4 – 6 weeks of receiving the bird.

When a bird is ready to find a new home, they enter our fostering programme. Many birds live for decades (the oldest we have had was 87) and for this reason we foster our birds, rather than permanently adopt them. This means that if your circumstances change, we can help the bird find a new home.

• Foster homes provide a long term home for a bird.
• The Foster Carer must agree that if their circumstances change then the bird(s) must come back into Birdline. The bird(s) cannot be sold or passed on to anyone else. However, in the meantime, the bird(s) are  theirs to enjoy.
• Foster fees vary dependant on bird species.
• NB. the foster won’t be valid if the form is co-signed by a volunteer who is a relative or close friend, so please ensure the Rehoming Director is aware of any conflicts of interest.

1. Our foster bird list is  here. Look for a bird which suits your circumstances, e.g. gender preferences, working hours, typical noise levels, children, pets.
2. Find out more about the rehoming process, pros and cons of having a bird and information on different species on our rehoming pages.
3. If you can’t see a bird you like, don’t worry because once you have joined as a member the rehoming team will contact you, or consider applying to be a safehouse.

1. A Rehoming Officer will phone each applicant.
2. Suitable applicants will be recommended for a home inspection. The homecheck will be at a cost of £20.00 and can be paid in the Admin Fees section of your member’s area. You will be asked to show ID at the time of the homecheck.
3. Once all the checks have been undertaken the Rehoming committee will decide which applicant is most suited to the individual bird’s needs.
4. All applications will be assessed equally and fairly.
5. Unsuccessful applicants will be informed by telephone or via email after the bird has been successfully placed.
6. We often get several applicants for each bird and consequently there will always be some disappointed members. Just because you are not deemed the most suitable applicant for that bird does not mean you will not be successful for another. We encouraged unsuccessful applicants to apply for another bird, or your Area Manager may be able to suggest another suitable bird for you. 
7. For detailed information on the rehoming process read our Essential Guide to Rehoming.

When you foster a bird from Birdline, you do not buy the bird. Our admin charges are a way for you to support the charity and to cover our costs of moving and assessing the birds and their new homes. This enables us to continue our rescue work and allows us to help secure the future of more birds in need.

• You must be able to provide a suitable travel cage, perches and food and water for the journey. 
• Learn more about suitable travel carriers in our Transporting Parrots blog post.
• If you are unsure about what type of cage to purchase, please speak to your Area Coordinator and they will advise you.
• You will be contact to arrange a mutually suitable time to collect the bird. You will then be required to sign a foster agreement for the bird.
• Your bird should be insured from the date you collect the bird and proof of the insurance given to the Birdline representative who will add the details to the foster agreement. We have a special policy available to members provided by our sponsor Exotic Direct or British Pet Insurance.

• If you wish to apply to foster a bird, you need to be aware that if you are successful in your application, you must be able to collect the bird, so apply for one near you.
• In exceptional circumstances, some birds need to be transported by experienced volunteers. A fee of 25p per mile will be applied.