What to Expect on Bird Boarding Drop-Off Day at BST

Handing your bird to someone else for the first time is one of the harder things a bird owner does. You know how attached your parrot is to you, how much a strange room can rattle a sensitive little animal, and you would rather over-prepare than leave anything to chance. At Bird Sitting Toronto, where we board hundreds of birds every year, we have made drop-off day deliberately simple and unhurried — so that by the time you pull out of the driveway, you already feel good about the decision. Here is exactly what to expect.

Your Appointment Time

When you book, we send you a Google Calendar invite with your specific drop-off time so there is never any guesswork. Appointments fall inside these windows:

Day	Hours
Weekdays (Mon-Fri)	9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Weekends (Sat-Sun)	9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Closed	Christmas Day only

Arriving close to your booked time keeps things calm for every bird coming and going that day, so try to land within a few minutes of your slot rather than well ahead of it.

Finding Us

We are at 4578 Gatineau Avenue, Mississauga, ON L4Z 2R8, an easy drive from across the GTA and just off the main routes into Toronto.

• Look for the house with the fire hydrant out front — it is the simplest landmark on the street.
• Pull straight onto the driveway. We keep it clear on purpose so there is always room for you to park right at the door and carry your bird only a few steps.

Getting Your Bird Here Safely

The short trip over is the part of the day most worth planning. VCA Animal Hospitals recommends transporting birds in a secure, appropriately sized carrier rather than loose in the car or perched on a shoulder — it protects them from sudden stops, open doors, and the startle of a busy parking area. A travel carrier or a small covered cage both work well; cover it lightly if your bird is nervous, and buckle it in so it cannot slide.

Tip: A carrier makes drop-off quick and low-stress for everyone. If you are renting a BST cage for the stay, you do not need to bring a cage at all — just carry your bird over in a carrier and we will handle the rest.

Warning: Never leave your bird alone in a parked car, even for a couple of minutes. A closed vehicle heats up or chills far faster than the air outside, and Toronto's summer highs and winter cold can both turn dangerous quickly. Bring the carrier straight inside.

How Drop-Off Works

Once you arrive, the handoff itself takes only a few minutes:

1. Arrive at your appointed time and stay in the driveway — no need to knock or wait at the door.
2. Samantha, Amir, or Amelia will come out to greet you and meet your bird, so your parrot's first impression of us is a friendly face rather than a cage change.
3. Hand off your bird along with the cage, food, and any supplies you have packed for the stay.
4. Take a moment to say goodbye and pass along any care details out loud — favourite foods, quirks, medications, words to watch for. There is no formal paperwork to fill out at the door.
5. Settle any remaining balance by cash at the door or e-transfer on drop-off day.
6. You are all set. Head home knowing your bird is in good hands, and watch for your first portal update.

When to Expect Your First Update

We know the quiet after you leave is the hardest part, so your first update lands quickly:

• Drop-off before 5:00 PM: expect your first update by 7:00 PM the same day.
• Drop-off after 5:00 PM: your first update arrives the following day.

Your access to the BST client portal is sent to you in advance and is included with every daily update email, so you can check in on photos, videos, and live environment data any time of day or night.

First-Time Boarders

If this is your bird's first stay with us, the drop-off process is exactly the same — we simply take a little extra time to get to know your bird's personality, preferences, and any special needs before you go. Avian veterinary consensus is that most healthy birds adjust to a new environment within a day or two, and we help that along with extra enrichment and closer monitoring for first-time boarders until they have clearly found their footing.

Your Boarding Timeline at a Glance

When	What Happens
Before Drop-Off	Book online, sign the agreement, pay your deposit, pack your checklist items
Drop-Off Day	Arrive at BST, hand off bird and supplies, settle the remaining balance
During the Stay	Daily email updates with photos and videos, 24/7 portal access, live environment data
Pick-Up Day	Arrive at BST, collect your bird and supplies, get a brief verbal overview of the stay

By the time you head home, the only thing left to do is enjoy your trip — we will take it from here.