Bird shelters vrs Craigslist

[terri]

I cant stop thinking about this .Where I live our bird rescue part has 4 birds at the moment , 2 macaws,a mitred and a nanday conure.[Where are all the birds?] Of course they have tons of cats and dogs .I didnt realize what a problem it was till I read everyones posts on it here.But their does seem to be alot on craiglist.Should we encourage people to get from there?If you think about it [its the same bird] a unwanted bird that starts there and may eventually end up at a shelter.Which way would you suggest?

[pennyandrocky]

the problem with craigslist is fake rescues taking peoples birds and selling them for profit.i was up talking to someone late last night about this very problem.she is vey upset she gave birds to people she trusted to find them good homes only to see them put up on craigslist.the bird could even be stolen.with a rescue you get to know the bird before you take it home,it has been to the vet,with the rescue i adopted mya you even get help later on with vet bills if you need it.the contract i signed said if i ever fall on hard times and need food,toys,or anything they will help me to care for and keep her in my home.

[marie83]

Our local animal shelter (RSPCA) often puts appeals in the local papers for homes for certain cats and dogs. I'm not particuarly fond of the RSPCA for various reasons, they are legitimate though, and they do have a vetting process all prospective owners have to go through and they must meet certain critera which makes it harder for people to impulse buy.

I don't see anything wrong with shelters advertising but I do think there is a responsibility of the prospective new owner or old owner to check they are 100% legit before handing over cash or a bird to such places.

[liz]

Myrtle came from Craigslist. I paid $300 in cash for her, her cage and the few toys she had. The cage cost more than $300.

I drove to SC the next morning after talking to the woman. She said if no one responded she would just give her to a breeder. The thought of a throw away bird really upset me. When I saw the way she lived and the condition she was in I am very happy that she is with me. I didn't even know what a blue front was but she needed me. She was dirty, skinny, in a dark room and beside a CAG that wanted to kill her. If that woman saw her now she would not know it was the same bird. I don't think there is a happier critter in my house.

[terri]

Myrtle came from Craigslist. I paid $300 in cash for her, her cage and the few toys she had. The cage cost more than $300.

I drove to SC the next morning after talking to the woman. She said if no one responded she would just give her to a breeder. The thought of a throw away bird really upset me. When I saw the way she lived and the condition she was in I am very happy that she is with me. I didn't even know what a blue front was but she needed me. She was dirty, skinny, in a dark room and beside a CAG that wanted to kill her. If that woman saw her now she would not know it was the same bird. I don't think there is a happier critter in my house.

This is what Im talking about ,getting some birds out of some not so great situations.It makes me sick that [alot] seem to think they should get what they paid for the bird.[Because thats whats important right?]

[pennyandrocky]

Myrtle came from Craigslist. I paid $300 in cash for her, her cage and the few toys she had. The cage cost more than $300.

I drove to SC the next morning after talking to the woman. She said if no one responded she would just give her to a breeder. The thought of a throw away bird really upset me. When I saw the way she lived and the condition she was in I am very happy that she is with me. I didn't even know what a blue front was but she needed me. She was dirty, skinny, in a dark room and beside a CAG that wanted to kill her. If that woman saw her now she would not know it was the same bird. I don't think there is a happier critter in my house.

while i'm very happy that you rescued myrtle from a horrible situation this is the part that makes me sick this disgusting person put $300 in her pocket after torturing her.a rescue would have charged you a fee and put that into the care of other birds in need.who knows what that poor exscuse of a human being did with your money i hope she didn't purchase another bird with it.

[liz]

She had a Cockatoo in the living room which was quite cared for. She had a Grey in the dark dining room then got Myrtle. The Grey was not being treated right and took it out on Myrtle.

I was going to try to talk her down since she was going to just give it to a breeder but when I saw Myrtle it was another matter. That poor baby would not have lived much longer.I had her write me a bill of sale. Then grabbled Myrtle and ran.

Birds in shelters are in "shelters". They are cared for. Most Avian shelters don't put them up for adoption until the are healthy and socialized. They have a good life there even if they are not in forever homes.

I had put an add on Craigslist asking for a parrot about the size of an Amazon. (At that time I did not realize they were different sizes.) After getting Myrtle home I could not believe the number of people who called me and asked me to take their parrot. It broke my heart but I knew I could not handle any more at that time.

[pennyandrocky]

they are cared for through adoption fees and donations.i would have done the same as you but i would not have liked giving her money.

[liz]

they are cared for through adoption fees and donations.i would have done the same as you but i would not have liked giving her money.

I took her any way I could.

[Grey_Moon]

This is an often tossed around subject in many forums---not just parrot but all creatures.

I know the mytoos forum I haunt would hang anyone who 'bought' a rescue, much like some who jump down the throats of those who buy dogs from abusive homes or pet store pups in bad shape.

Jacko was a 'purchase' all $250 of her, for her rusted cage, herself, her ratty cockatiel bell, gunky dowel perches and the empty beer case she came in.

At the end of the day, one could argue we are 'perpetuating' the abuse, but are the lives lost and lived in suffering worth whatever ends we may achieve?
I see it this way, (and I apologize to anyone if this is offensive or triggering in any way) that these craigslist birds are a bit like prisoners of war. Are you going to be the one to look into their eyes and foresake them to their fate and suffering just to be able 'to send a message' to this enemy we are up against? Will it really stop them and can you just abandon these birds to suffer and die? OR are we going to play nice and comply with 'demands' to be able to set them free?

The truth is, that birds in rescues are the lucky ones. They have already reached a haven and can begin their rehabilitation. The living situation may not be five star, but they are warm, loved, fed and given medical care. Plus, a lot of those birds end up there from people who care enough to put them there in the first place when they cannot or won't care for them any longer.

The birds on craigslist are still out there waiting for deliverance. Usually these are the people who are annoyed by the 'damn bird' but want to make money off of it at least to get back what they paid. Thus, damn right I'll pay someone to take the bird they're abusing. I'm not one to foresake lives for some sort of political message.