A bit of a sad story.....

[Ozii]

Me mum, has always wanted a bird, and saw an advert in the paper for one, (it was an Indian Ring Neck), it was £180 and included a cage.

We got him on the 24th September, he came in a small cage, and got told to keep him in there until the New Year, then he left, the guy who delivered him seemed rather shifty, but out main focus was on Doman, we went out on the Sunday and got it a much bigger cage, you couldnt really keep an IRN in a budgie cage, it was cruel. At first Doman was rather quite, then he became chirpy.

Then me and me mum go away, on the 17th of Oct, only for a few days, a day later (18th), we were told Doman had died, he was only 5 months, I was devasted, my little friend, who'd I moan about football too has gone. When we got back from holiday, we rung the people we got Doman from out of desentcy just incase any birds were ill.... Line was dead..... I felt so sad, and upset.... we tried it again, line dead.... and again..... and a few hours later it hit me..... we were scammed.

I found out Doman was very ill, when we brought him, I am starting to think how many birds that these crooks sold, and have died? how many people left heart broken? we called the paper it appered in, they cant do anything, we called RSPCA again, they couldnt do anything, and we called the RVPB (?) and was on the phone to them for a while.

I miss Doman, everyday, I try and think, well if he didnt come to the home he did, what home would he have gone to.... He was lovely.

I guess, this is a wake up call, and to say, dont buy from the paper. I have learnt the hard way.

We are now looking after Peaches, who might become ours, as her owner might be going into a home, but I miss Doman, and though he was only with us for 3 weeks and 3 days, he left a print on my heart, and he'll never beforgotten.

[GlassOnion]

It is VERY, VERY important to take a bird to a certified avian vet when you bring it home. You need to do a fecal swab, and a blood test to make sure the bird is 100% clean.

This is also why when people add a new bird, it HAS to be quarantined in a completely different airspace while the veterinary tests are being done.

[Ozii]

we wasnt told any of this, but I do wish I did things differently *sigh*.

[rebeccaturpeinen]

That is a horrible story... Its hard to believe that some people see living breathing animals as a pay-check. How can you not care about an animal? I wonder if they knew Doman was sick... Its sad you had to learn the hard way... But atleast Doman was loved for those last couple of weeks.

[liz]

It is really no consolation for your loss but Doman knew he was finally loved. He was finally cared for like the little being he was instead of an animal in a cage.

Why do you think that low life of a person told you to keep him in the cage until New Years. He knew he was sick!

It doesn't help you or Doman now but a new bird should be quarentined away from the others for a month. Since they also need routine checkups at an avian vet, the first time should be when you first get it.

I am so sorry that you have lost little Doman but he did know that he was finally loved.

[dohcsvt]

I am sorry for your loss. I hope that peaches and you have many years if he becomes yours!

[evaleen]

i know how u feel...
i went through the same thing... only i didnt but my bird (budgie) in a newspaper add, it was from a petshop.
i wanted a 3month old budgie, they gave me one. it was TOO cute and cuddly... but all fluffed up and always spent most of its day with its head tucked into its feathers. i didnt know these were symptoms of illness back then... it was my first bird...
my budgie died after a week. when i had finaly just come up with a name...
(it was 'spirit')
it was heartbreaking... i had reported that pet shop, (although no particular action was ever taken) and never ever went there again...

its cruel to treat birds like mere products just for the cash...
i'm glad doman got to breath in a loving home his last days... he knew that he was loved.
i'm so sorry....