Next Saturday, will be a year that Boo has been gone. I miss him more and more everyday. I decided that I didn't want to get another bird, I couldn't handle the possibility of losing another bird. I don't think I'm strong enough. However, after begging and more begging from hubby, I've decided to CONSIDER getting another bird. Now, the question: Where should I buy the bird? Please give me the pros and cons of buying a bird from a Petsmart, Petco type place. Or, where else should I go? This is such a smart group and I know you'll steer me in the right directions.
Thanks

Oh, Di, this is so exciting! Woot!

Hope your blatant flattery works! lol

I got Pudgie from our local Petsmart, and I have no complaints whatsoever. Her health has been excellent, she's smart, she's affectionate. Some Petsmarts seem to be on the ball and others are horrible, so I guess you'd have to check your local one out with an eye to their bird care practices...

Given the heart-breaking number of birds in rescues/shelters, I want to say: adopt a budgie who needs a loving home. I warn you, though, judging from my experience with Raina, that adopting an adult bird with "issues" is nothing like adopting a younger budgie. You would have to decide how much patience you have, how prepared you are to see only tiny increments of learning & trust develop, etc.

I agree with P&R Mom - I got Sweetgirl and Sweetboy (RIP)from our local Pet Supply Plus (a MI chain) and they were older, very healthy birds but a little wild. I adopted Mac and Kiwi from a member here and Mac is the sweetest boy who will sit on me, Kiwi is younger, a little less of a people bird but he is perch trained. And Batboy, Greengirl and Prettygirl (RIP) I adopted when someone left them at a vet office a friend was doing dog grooming at. Since I have always had multiple birds they prefer each other to me.

I got IceCube from PetSmart and she has always been healthy.

All three of mine I got from Petco, and so far they've been fine too...

Oh my gosh, how did I miss this? To quote P&R " How exciting!" Are you still just "considering" or have you made up your mind?
I know that just the THOUGHT of losing another one is enough to scare the pants off ya, but honestly Di, I think you are stronger than you give yourself credit for.
If you want my 2 cents,I think in your case(since you are a bit gun shy) it would be great if you could locate a breeder to get a baby from. I think the odds of it being healthy are greater than from a petstore. Also easier to train since they've only known kindness from human hands so maybe less likelyhood of accidents from freaking out??
If you can't find a breeder near you then I would go with a baby from a reputable petstore. Maybe just check in with the petstore regularly or have them contact you when they get new ones in?
Just follow your heart You'll know if it's right.