Witnessed Parrot Abuse for the First Time! So Angry!

[Sarah]

So, I am currently in the process of moving to a new place, and my partner and I went looking for houses this weekend. We went to one house that had two little cockatiels in a FILTHY cage that was an appropriate size or a canary, or maybe at most a Budgie, but certainly not two cockatiels. It was encrusted with poop, and so tiny, with one little toy in the corner.

I was so upset, I wanted to take those two little birds with me so badly, I even have two travel cages with me that would be perfect for them. I was pretty certain that the realestate agent would not let me do that. I was just horrified by what I saw. I couldn't get out of that place fast enough and say goodbye to the realestate agent to file a complaint with the SPCA. Normally my finance is opposed to making waves and does not like when I correct people in pet stores about proper cage sizes, foods, or appropriate pet choices for small children. He doesnt like that I butt my nose into what other people are doing, and worry about negative comments from others and sales associates. Even he didnt have a problem reporting this case of neglect and abuse to the SPCA, which says something since he is not a wave maker.

I really hope that they do something for these two little teils, they seemed like such sweet little birds. I will be following up with the SPCA about the case, and see what happens to those poor birds.

[coral]

thats horrible! im glad you said something to them though! maybe if the spca cant do anything you can ask the owners for the birds and try to find them a new home or something! obviously they dont care about them! im the same way if i see animal abuse/neglect/ect. i will say and do something about it. my friends mother has an african gray in the size of cage for a cockitiel and maybe a sun conure, maybe i can find a link for it but it has 1 acrylic toy and it eats seeds and cheerios and it never comes out and its plucking itself and they feed it whatever they eat! chicken nuggets and french fries from mcdonalds! i thought this was unbelieveable. i asked why they did this and they seemed to know nothing about this poor animal. i of course went over and started talking to him and pet him hes a little timid but a sweet little guy! i feel so bad but i didnt know if this was enough to be able to call the spca if it has food and water and a clean cage? what do you think?

[Sarah]

Well, I talked to the woman at the SPCA over the phone when I made the report. She said that what happens is I file a report, and then the inspectors, the people who have the teeth to take care of the legal aspect of things like fines, removing the birds, warnings, and just, educating people who might be misguided etc. So I guess if the inspectors dont find anything wrong when they go, they dont issue fines, charges and the like. But if they do find something wrong with the care of the animal they will take legal action against them and try to educate them. First time migth be education on the proper care of the pet and a warning plus a follow up visit. If the people dont comply, on the follow up they could face more serious action in the way of fines and removal of the animals.

For some maybe a scare and education is enough, and for others....maybe not. Its hard to know. I felt like the SPCA was my only option because I do not know these people, and I have to go back to where I live until we sell our place. Its a good 500km away, so I couldnt be the one to educate and follow up with these people.

Its harder with someone you know personally, but I do think the welfare of the bird should win out over all. Try to educate her yourself about cages, maybe give her some bird talk magazines for reading, send her to informative websites? Bring toys over and proper foods? If the person is resistant to your suggestions I think in the end I would still end up calling the SPCA. They take your personal information so they can get in touch with you if they need to fill in more information about what is going on, but they will not release it to anyone. She would never know it was you who called, though, she might suspect.

[Taylor_07]

Im a postman in Dundee, Scotland and I had seen these 2 poor Cockatiels in a decent sized cage at this house for about 6 months. 1 of the Cockatiels was always on the floor of the cage, surrounded by poop and seed husks. The water looked disgusting too.

I too made a report but never seen any changes. When my plans to build an aviary were finally starting to come to some light, I popped a card through this persons door offering to buy them from him for my aviary. The owner phoned me that evening and said I could just have them as they were going to be moving soon and it would be 1 less thing to move!!!

As soon as my aviary was finished, I went round to the house to collect. The cage was heavily stained with nicotine and 1 of the birds was still on the bottom and covered in the other birds poop!!

My wife and I took the bird straight to our local avain vet and it was discovered that this poor Tiel had been in this condition for a LONG time. It had clearly fallen and hurt itself and its muscle tissue had wasted away to nothing. It was in serious pain and the only option was to put the poor bird to sleep.

The other bird, couldnt fly very well due to being stuck in the cage for god only knows how long. When I put this bird into the aviary. She burst into life. Fresh air, open space and and fresh food seemed to go down well with her. After about a week her confidence in flying was coming on strong and she now flys very well. She is now with 11 more of her kind and she has a good diet and a good life.

I was happy I could give this bird the life she deserves but I was dissapointed that I was too late for her wee friend!

I dont understand how people can leave animals of any kind in a state like that.

I hope you can save these poor birds!

[liz]

I think it is a situation that the owners don't want them but don't know what to do with them.

Go back and ask if you can have them.