| LOUSY =
o two African Greys in one budgie cage, on a low shelf, crammed
into a corner
o a Macaw cowering between a shelf of supplies and bird cages
underneath his feet with canaries in them, watching passersby
nervously as they move within a couple of inches of him
o four Nanday conures in one small budgie cage, clinging to the
back of the cage and shaking, cage is a horrow show, which could
be expected with four of these size birds in this size cage
oc canaries, four of them, in one small (cheap $16 variety)
canary cage, with ONE half-perch (about 3 inches long), so only
two of them can sit at one time on the perch, otherwise, they are
on the bottom messing around in a slimy goo, filthy small water
dish
o one canary, unable to use one leg, hopping around as best he
could in his own filth, feathers unbelievably greasy looking
(when he hopped, the other leg came out a little from hiding -
it appeared black and shriveled)
o a peach-front conure, the only perch is the sharp edge of galvanized
wire turned on its side (like the tomato cages used in gardens),
sitting below several Cockatoos, an Amazon, and a Macaw, who are
on smooth, large plastic pipe perches, where customers feed them
peanuts in the shell or poke at them at will, depending on the
customer's disposition) -- this is the last conure of about ten
that were crowded around this torture ring a few weeks ago
o two flight cages, among the most overcrowded I have seen in a
long time, one with about a dozen plus cockatiels, the other with
about three dozen budgies, two of who sit in little puff-balls and
shudder, trying to hide underneath the one small food dish that
appears to serve the entire crowd
o three young men, all in neat white shirts, shooting the breeze
at the register...seems they might have time to make sure the animals
are okay, but I guess they might get their hands dirty :'(
Thanks for the reference to the MSPCA. Someone else I know suggested
the Dept. of Agriculture. I was sad to see that this note only
got one reply, and the next note about a screaming Amazon got eleven
right away. Maybe others will reply with their experiences in trying
to talk with pet store operators, failing that, reporting them to
the proper authorities, whoever they are (besides MSPCA and Dept.
of Agric.). Jean Hutchins had written note a long time ago in
which she mentioned going on "pet shop raids" -- I will give her
a call. /Linda Compton
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| > I was sad to see that this note only
> got one reply, and the next note about a screaming Amazon got eleven
> right away.
Linda, the only response I can give you is that your note made me very, very
sad. I don't go in pet shops very much, but if I found one in that condition,
then I, too would probably report them to the MSPCA.
And I'd probably cry, too. I don't understand cruelty, and it hurts to see it.
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| I have talked with the MSPCA in Boston and reported what I listed above
under 250.2. The man who spoke with me was very courteous. He asked
me to describe the conditions in the pet store. I then asked him how
much time he had.....he said as long as I needed. He did, indeed,
listen patiently and heard all the stuff in note 250.2. He took my
home address, home phone, and business phone. He said someone would
look into it and get back to me with their findings. I will report
here whatever comes of this. There phone number in Boston is
617/522-7400 (general) or direct line to the Law Enforcement Department
is -6008. The general operator even said "let me give you the direct
line number in case we get cut off" - unusual customer service, I
think - we did not get cut off, by the way. /Linda Compton
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| I spoke with one of the law enforcement officers at MSPCA today.
He emphatically assured me that they do not reveal the name, phone
number, or address of the person filing the complaint (can be done
over the phone - call 617/522-6008 in Boston). He said the sometimes
when a case goes to court, they need to request the permission of
the person or persons who filed the complaint to use their name
in the court action, and sometimes ask the person to testify or
file an affidavit (a sworn statement). In that case, they ALWAYS
as permission first, and you can refuse, in which case they won't
reveal the source of the complaint in any way by name, phone, or
address. He understands the concern expressed in reply 250.8, so
if that person wants to hear the confirmation of this in person,
call during the work day the number above -- they have an answering
machine after hours, where you can leave a message of best time
to call you back, if you can't call them during the day. The law
enforcement officer is aware I am putting this in our notes file
and was glad the word would get out that people should feel free
to bring to MSPCA's attention any cruelty or inhumane treatment
of any animal to the Society's attention, which is funded and staffed
to take these things all the way on behalf of the animals. If you
do not live in Massachusetts, the SPCA has chapters all over. In
the U.K. I think it is called the Royal Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals, and perhaps other countries also have chapters.
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