| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 508.1 | | CUPMK::PHILBROOK | Customer Publications Consulting | Sat Mar 09 1991 17:01 | 13 |
| > It makes me want to buy all the sick birds and try to
> make them healthy.
That's precisely how pet shops sell birds -- they make you feel bad for
them. I stop into pet shops from time to time to check out the
condition of the animals. I saw an Amazon Parrot last night that was
definitely not well, not happy, and in a teeny cage (not much larger
than the bird!)
Yes, you can do something about it. Contact your local Humane Society
or SPCA and file a complaint.
Mike
|
| 508.2 | Help the sick and infirm ! | CSOA1::DIRRMAN | | Mon Mar 11 1991 12:47 | 6 |
|
I know the feeling well - I have been very upset at some of the
shops I have seen. I have often talked to the owners and/or
managers of the store - with some success - but I never thought
of the SPCA for those who "do not change their ways"! Great
idea! Thanks!
|
| 508.3 | Thank You!!! | ALCTRZ::MAPPES_DO | | Mon Mar 11 1991 15:33 | 4 |
| Thank you I will call the SPCA when the manager or owner will not
listen.
Donna in California
|
| 508.4 | ANOTHER SUCKER FOR SAD WAIFS | ABACUS::BOURGAULT | | Mon Mar 11 1991 16:51 | 38 |
| I share your feelings. So much so that I purchased a sad looking
Senegal parrot last saturday. it wasn't that the bird had poor
upkeeping, but rather it had been stuck in that store for at least
8 months. So much so that it started to pick at it's wing feathers.
The bird was an import that lost the first digits off two toes -
apparently in transit with other birds in close quarters. He was
very shy and undoubtly miserable. The pet store is not a bad shop
and they do offer their birds veggies occasionally, but not daily.
The poor little guy was on an almost pure sunflower diet. I did
mention this to them and explained the importance of proper
nutrition. It is tough in pet stores, especially the chains, since
the turnover of help is so massive. Each new sales person must be
educated on care and nutrition, and many are just teenagers who don't
listen or even care at times. The birds are kept clean with fresh
water, but there is little space for exercising, since it is a small
store.
Well, I got the little guy home and he is now getting sunlight in
my dining room, with plenty of veggies, peanuts & apples (which he
just loves). He is also on vitamins (Nekton S). I caught him playing
on his rawhide ring yesterday.
The store gave me a 20% discount and included his cage (only after I
asked what they would do for me, and stressed his poor condition).
They also offered to pay any vet bills and medication bills if needed.
That was pretty decent of them. They were concerned with his well
being and were happy that I took him off their hands.
He will stay in quarantine for quite some time, to be certain that
he is not carrying any contageous diseases or parasites. He seems
to enjoy watching the wild birds at the feeding station near the
windows.
Anyway, thanks for bringing up a very important matter.
Regards,
Denise
|
| 508.5 | Beware the smooth-talker... | CLOSET::COMPTON | Linda DTN381-0687 ZKO1-2/C21 | Wed Mar 13 1991 12:07 | 20 |
| Check with your State Department of Agriculture...they license those
who sell live animals to the public...in most states anyway. In
New Hamshire, the State Vet's office handles complaints...they are
called the Division of Animal Industries, believe it or not. They
require a complaint in writing. The Massachusetts SPCA took my
complaint over the phone, in detail and with much patience, and
said if my name was ever needed to verify that a real person filed
the complaint, I would be given the choice of signing an affadavit
(sp?) for use in court proceedings or of declining at that time to
be identified. That department was the Law Enforcement Division of
the MSPCA....Part of the problem in that the **inspectors** that issue
the licenses have to cover everything from poultry to dogs to horses
to mice, not to mention birds....and usually do not have the background
or training to be able to spot problems like bird owners can...So do
report things you see, even if you talk with the shop owners and they
seem receptive, check back later to see if anything is really done. I
have had several shop owners/personnel be real nice to my face and do
nothing that they promised......
Linda C.
|