Should I Rehome My Partners Emotional Support Parrot?
Struggling with a partner's emotional support parrot that has grown attached, leading to a tough decision on rehoming it for the bird's well-being - WIBTA?
A 27-year-old woman thought her relationship was cruising along, then a parrot named Pepe started running the household schedule. Her boyfriend, 28, already had the emotional support bird before they met, and she was fine with it at first. But once she landed a new job with long hours, the “Pepe is sweet and bonded” situation turned into something messier fast.
Here’s the complication: Pepe has gotten extremely attached to OP, so when she’s not home, the bird gets anxious. The plucking starts, the distress escalates, and Pepe spends the time calling for her and refusing to settle with her partner. Meanwhile, her boyfriend is stuck trying to manage all of it, and it’s hitting his mental health hard.
Now OP is debating the unthinkable, rehoming Pepe to a family with more time, even if it breaks her partner’s heart.
Original Post
I (27F) have been dating my partner (28M) for over two years, and everything has been going well... until now.
My partner has an emotional support parrot named Pepe, who they absolutely adore. Recently, I got a new job that requires me to work long hours, leaving me with less time at home.
Quick context: My partner got Pepe before we started dating, and I knew about the bird from the beginning. However, Pepe has grown extremely attached to me, which is causing some issues.
Whenever I'm not home, Pepe gets anxious, plucks its feathers, and becomes distressed. My partner is struggling to manage Pepe's emotions when I'm away, as the bird constantly calls for me and refuses to engage with my partner.
This situation is putting a strain on my partner's mental health. Considering this, I've been contemplating rehoming Pepe to a loving family who can provide more time and attention.
I know it would break my partner's heart, but I believe it might be in the bird's best interest. So, Reddit, WIBTA for suggesting rehoming my partner's emotional support parrot?
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That new job kicked off the whole Pepe problem, and suddenly OP’s absence felt like a daily emergency.
The real gut punch is that Pepe isn’t just upset, he’s specifically bonded to OP, so her boyfriend gets stuck as the backup plan.
Every time OP leaves, Pepe plucks feathers and calls for her, while her partner tries to keep it together for both of them.
So OP is weighing rehoming Pepe as a “bird’s best interest” move, even though her partner would be devastated by the idea.
How would you handle this situation? Let us know in the comments.
If Pepe can’t cope without OP around, her partner might start asking whether love should come with an eviction notice.
Before you decide, read how OP debated adopting a parrot despite their partner’s trauma-fear.
