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Annabelle
Bappie
Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 75
Location: Coffs Harbour, Australia |
| Stupid pet shop. Parrot Dillemma! |
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The largest pet shop in my area is really quite upsetting. At least as far as the birds go. The cages are an ok size but for some reason, most of the birds in the shop always look really ruffled and in bad condition. Alot have feathers missing and the ones that dont usually have really bent, messed up feathers. I would never buy a bird from there but the other day I saw a possible exception.
My dillemma is this. I went into this pet shop the other day to get my usual pile of pet foods and just inside the door was a very gorgeous parrot. Im not 100% sure what type it is but its about the same size as the sulphur crested cockatoo that was in the cage next to it.
It was in a very small cage. Smaller than the cage I have my indian ringneck in (and i feel bad about him). Its beak was grossly overgrown on the top and it looked funny on the bottom. The sides of the bottom of its beak seemed much too short. I asked about it and apparently it was given to them by an owner who could no longer look after it. Its name is Cuddles.
Im not sure what sort of care it had under its previous owner or if its even tame but if its current conditions are ne thing to go by then im assuming it hasnt been the best.
My dillemma is this. I feel so bad for this poor bird that I just want to take it home and try to make everything better. I dont have a decent cage but if i did take it home I would probably buy a small aviary to put it in. I have lots of time on my hands right now but I do have a sizeable pet load already including 2 parrots and when I start my course next year im not sure if i will have enough time to devote to yet another parrot. Im still in the process of taming and training my ringneck and I need to devote lots of time to my lovebird.
I also live with my mum and my bf who wouldnt be thrilled with the idea of me bringing yet another animal home (they would get used to it though).
Im confused as I know it would be better off with me than at the shop but the last thing I want is an unhappy parrot because I couldnt spend enough time with it. Plus, if its not already tame then I dont know if I will be able to tame it as it is definately an adult. Would having it with me in a bigger cage alone but still untame be a bad thing? I know its not ideal but would it be really bad? I would get toys and stuff for it.
If u guys were in my position, would you take Cuddles home? |
Wednesday September 20, 2006 2:03 am |
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Jrmno1
Flying tumbler
Joined: 28 Aug 2005
Posts: 2310
Location: Ohio, USA |
I guess I am the wrong person to anawer this post. There are very few pet shops I will go into at all, because of the way they treat thier birds. I wish I had money and space to take them all in. We have 13 so far, and if I ran accross a bird in need, it would br 14, just that quick.
John & Carrie |
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Wednesday September 20, 2006 8:59 am |
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Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6671
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
It sounds to me like his life would be much improved simply by you taking him home.
You know, I've had a 'tiel for 13 yrs that has never been hand tame. Yet he's very loved & well taken care of, & I consider him happy & healthy.
Yeah, I think I would take him home, if it were ME, but I know I'm not you, so that decision is yours. IF you do get him - PLEASE be sure to quarantine him for a period of time from your other birds!!
I'm VERY curious as to what kind of bird it is! |
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Wednesday September 20, 2006 11:07 am |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7399
Location: Canada, Toronto |
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Annabelle,
Will you be taking a full course load next year? Will you be working at the same time as going to school? I'm in university right now, and I don't work, and I'm finding it extremely difficult to devote the kind of time that I would like to my birds. Although I love my birds more than anything, at this point I'm having a lot of regrets about not having waited till I was done with school to expand my bird family. You might have lots of time now, but think about it long term, especially while you're in school when it's not just the time that you're in classes, but also the time you have to devote to studying at home, plus perhaps a part-time job, and think about the time you would like to spend out of the house having a social life. Personally, based on what I'm going through right now, I would advise strongly against bringing home another parrot. Especially one that might be a special case bird due to his history, and would need more time and devotion than all your other animals. I know your heart is in the right place, but you also have to think about the fact that by buying from that petstore, who obviously doesn't treat their animals well, you would only be making room for another baby bird who will face the same fate, while they profit even more. Unfortunately if we try to save them all, it just feeds a vicious cycle, while the bad guys keep making more and more money.  |
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Wednesday September 20, 2006 4:20 pm |
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chispleeze
Flier
Joined: 14 Jul 2005
Posts: 475
Location: Upstate NY |
I'd probably take him. Sounds like he needs an angel. Even if you had to find a better home for him later if you found it was too much for you, at least he would be out of there. Meanwhile, he'd have it much better than it sounds like he does now. I've learned over the years I can't always keep everything I rescue. But I sure can make a difference and help them find a home where they're really cared for.
Robin |
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Wednesday September 20, 2006 4:27 pm |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7399
Location: Canada, Toronto |
Just out of curiousity, how much are they selling this bird for? |
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Wednesday September 20, 2006 4:33 pm |
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Jrmno1
Flying tumbler
Joined: 28 Aug 2005
Posts: 2310
Location: Ohio, USA |
Annabelle,
I agree with everything Shirin says, and only you can make such a descion. And true enough another bird will replace the one you buy. I wish I could save every bird I see. Be careful and selective about the birds you do save. Even if you just manage to give him a good home, sometimes that is all you can do.
Pen our Quaker, that we have had for going on 2 years now. Has never allowed me to handle him (without blood). He still has a good home and life with us. I have spent more money on his Vet bills then all the others put together. I do not regret this, nor would I change any of this. He is simple there, he swacks and sometimes talks. And it will be a sad day when I have to put him down, one day sooner then I would like to think I will have to. |
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Wednesday September 20, 2006 4:51 pm |
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meg832
Fledgeling
Joined: 16 Jun 2006
Posts: 365
Location: Ohio |
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I would not buy the bird. There are pet store owners who make a living on pity purchases, and my buying the bird would reward them for their mistreatment of animals. Knowing that bird is sitting in such a store breaks my heart. Seeing it in person would certainly give me nightmares (and might anyway). That is why I refuse to go into places where I have seen animals get less than optimum treatment.
Here is an article about pity purchases: http://www3.google.com/liz/ar.....birds.html
As for the bird you have already seen and want to help, perhaps you can convince someone to seize it: the humane society, the closest bird rescue/sanctuary, an avian vet. Check with the police department and see what the laws are on seizing abused animals. The humane society and the police will need a quick course on parronting, but I believe you could build a pretty good case. Unless the store can produce a vet's report that the bird is healthy, the owners are endangering the other birds as well as selling an animal that might be seriously ill. If the bird is healthy, they are abusing it with the small cage and by not trimming its beak so it can eat properly.
You can tell the store owner that you have decided to shop elsewhere because of the condition of the bird and its unsatisfactory cage. Get your friends to do the same. (I hope you can find another store to order supplies for you!)
After all this tough talk, I must admit that I once rescued four dying animals by convincing the manager to sell me their cages, then requesting that the cages be given to me without cleaning them out. I was able to nurse all four back to health. At least the store wasn't rewarded by a profit on the animals. However, since this bird is still upright, I imagine the owner is seeing dollar signs when he looks at it.
Good luck with your decision. |
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Wednesday September 20, 2006 8:20 pm |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7399
Location: Canada, Toronto |
I totally agree with everything Meg has said  |
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Wednesday September 20, 2006 8:56 pm |
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Jrmno1
Flying tumbler
Joined: 28 Aug 2005
Posts: 2310
Location: Ohio, USA |
Normally I would agree with these two ladies. But if I can express myself without hurting or steping on anybodys feelings.
A pet store is out to make money, true enough. Just like all of us we need to eat and pay the rent. This is not an excues, just a simple fact. General specking a pet store sell to the unedcuated bird owner. I am sure you all have seen them. (does this bird talk?) For which is fine we all have to start some place. But this kind of buyer, goes for the cute little sun conner type bird, with all it's feathers and will stand on thier finger. This bird sounds as if it is a long way from wining a beauity contest and it's heath is only going to degread as time goes on. The ammature bird person will not spend the money on this guy. It will take someone who knows what she is doing because of the heath issues. So with all that said, I hope Shirin and Meg are not to upset with me....  |
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Wednesday September 20, 2006 9:23 pm |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7399
Location: Canada, Toronto |
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quote:
Originally posted by Jrmno1
Normally I would agree with these two ladies. But if I can express myself without hurting or steping on anybodys feelings.
A pet store is out to make money, true enough. Just like all of us we need to eat and pay the rent. This is not an excues, just a simple fact. General specking a pet store sell to the unedcuated bird owner. I am sure you all have seen them. (does this bird talk?) For which is fine we all have to start some place. But this kind of buyer, goes for the cute little sun conner type bird, with all it's feathers and will stand on thier finger. This bird sounds as if it is a long way from wining a beauity contest and it's heath is only going to degread as time goes on. The ammature bird person will not spend the money on this guy. It will take someone who knows what she is doing because of the heath issues. So with all that said, I hope Shirin and Meg are not to upset with me....
I'm not offended  But I'm not sure I understand what you're saying... do you mean that it's not the petstore's fault, but the public's fault for not being more educated when they go in to purchase a pet? Sorry if I totally missed your point  I think petstores have the responsibility to be honest and forthright with their consumers and if they get customers that are uneducated or inexperienced, then it's their reponsibilty to try to inform and educate them before a purchase is made. Most pet store employees are quite ignorant about the animals they sell themselves, and on so many occasions I've heard many of them giving people the wrong information, or lying, just to make a sale. The main chain pet stores here in Canada pay their employees minimum wage, and they get a comission on sales so they couldn't care less what kind of home their animals go to as long as they make a sale. I understand that everyone needs to make money, but to do it at the expense of another living creatures life is just morally and ethically wrong.
Having said that, I don't think that anyone should pay for this bird. If he has health issues, and is being kept in a small cage ect. then animal rights authorities should be contacted. Neither the store, nor the original owner of this bird (whom obviously didn't take care of her pet and is now trying to make money off of it) should be rewarded for the way they have treated this bird. If he's truly being "rescued" then no one should have to pay for him. |
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Wednesday September 20, 2006 10:12 pm |
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Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6671
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
I do understand what everyone is saying. But, in this case ... right now ... only the bird is suffering.
It doesn't sound to me as if there is any chance that the bird could legally be defined as "abused". Tho I've not seen him, we all know it takes a pretty bad case for the athorities or agencies to step in to "save" a bird, or any other animal. |
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Wednesday September 20, 2006 10:20 pm |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7399
Location: Canada, Toronto |
But Cathy, buying him would only make room for other birds to end up in the same situation as him. Who will save those birds? Where do we draw the line? Businesses like this shouldn't be supported, and I agree with meg, that Annabelle should make a point of telling the manager of that store that she will be taking her business elsewhere because of how the animals are being treated. Plus, it seems like this bird has already had a tumultuous past, is it really fair to bring him into a home where he might finally start to trust people and think he finally has found a good loving home, only to have to be rehomed again because Annabelle might find that she doesn't have the time to devote to this bird a year from now? I'm not suggesting that Annabelle would do that, I'm just sort of commenting on Robin's suggestion of taking the bird now, and the rehoming him again if she finds she doesn't have time for him. |
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Wednesday September 20, 2006 10:36 pm |
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Annabelle
Bappie
Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 75
Location: Coffs Harbour, Australia |
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The bird is not actually in thier normal selling stock. It was given to them by a guy who couldnt look after it ne more. Im pretty sure I could get them to give it to me or at least sell it to me for cheap if I plead the case right. I would never buy a bird from that store normally but since he has no other chance of getting a better home it has prompted me to consider it. Right now, it is just part of the store decoration like thier cockatoo.
Just looking the bird up on the net now. My suspicions are confirmed. Its a Corella. Just for the record, if I do take on this bird I will decide pretty quick whether Im gonna keep him for life or not. If im gonna find him a new home i'll start looking immediately and will try not to bond to him too much until im certain that no other home can be found. Most likely though. If I take him on, it will be forever. I will make the time for him. Im doing a TAFE course so its not as full time as uni.
Are Corellas a difficult bird to care for? I've heard that cockatoos can be a bit of a handful. I am researching but nothing beats personal experience in these things.
I think I will be getting my pet food from another store from now on though. There is one closer to my house that is much better anyway.
Thanx for all your help so far. |
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Thursday September 21, 2006 12:22 am |
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Jrmno1
Flying tumbler
Joined: 28 Aug 2005
Posts: 2310
Location: Ohio, USA |
I had to look up a Corellas, a cute bird. It sounds like you have already made up your mind. I am glad that you have, every bird deserve a chance to live a good life. Good luck... |
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Thursday September 21, 2006 1:13 am |
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