I think for some people, impulse buying is an addiction type of thing. (I am getting like that with parrot supplies, I have money burning holes in my pocket, so go spend on my 4 birdies. With me though, I already have the birds and spending what money I have to keep my birds in the style to which they have come to expect
) But it really worries me sometimes what people will do, I work in retail.
My bird purchases were well thought out and PLANNED. Animals are not inanimate objects that can be cast aside when the going gets tuff or the novely wears off. They are living, breathing, feeling animals who deserve to be treated with respect, care and love. I dont think you should be allowed to walk into any pet shop, breeder etc and just buy an animal. I think more responsibility should be placed on the sellers and purchasers to ensure the animals are going to be cared for properly (maybe potential buyers must attend classes) and are really what the buyer is after and capable of caring for. There should be an age thing as well or parental consent required (a 13yo and a macaw, come on! many adults struggle with these birds, let alone a 13yo child) I would like to see something like a license or contract required for ALL pets, you must visit the animal a number of times BEFORE purchasing (or you have to put in on "hold" for a week, think about it and then decide away from the animal whether this is what you REALLY want. Over here in Australia, when you buy a house, car etc, there is a cooling off period, where you can change your mind, same should be with animals) After taking it home, there should be a follow up from the seller at set intervals, all animals (or breeders) must be registered on a pet registry (well maybe not fish) I think something needs to be put in place to stop all the impulse buying of animals. I think the harder it is to buy animals "on the spot", the less will be abandoned and mistreated. Once people realise what they have to go through to get the animal, they might think twice about whether they really want it or not. I think a lot of people who impulse buy animals have second thoughts very early on, but by then they have the animal.
I know the above is NOT GOING TO HAPPEN in this world because at the end of the day it all boils down to money. The sellers make the buck from the impulse buy (they tell the buyer that they need this this and this) more than they do from the knowledgable buy. For example, I got "done" today. My son just started guitar lessons, so I went and bought him a guitar, music stand, guitar cover and got told that the guitar tuner was more important than the music stand, which the guy considered a luxury. Yep, I bought the tuner. My son is 7yo, does he need a tuner? No, but I wanted to go home and just couldnt be bothered.
Sorry this is so long winded but I am so sick and sad on hearing of all the animals that are being abandoned, abused etc. So many are put done every year because they are no longer wanted. Also, if it was harder to get the animal, there would be less demand which would then decrease the number of breeders - especially the ones who do not put the animals welfare at heart but are in it for the money. This is my opinion only, but things are really (financially) tuff in this world at the moment and I think the first to "feel it" will be the animals.
by PapayaTheConure » Fri Aug 05, 2011 3:45 pm 
or 
as his first parrot. He claimed his experience was handling his friend's birds and watching his sister. It's not really a buy but goes along those tracks. I hope that macaw is going to be okay.
Rambo. She sent him to me in a little travel cage that just was not big enough. So he lived on the dinning room table for a month before I could get his cage. I made room for him. Now he is the "leader of the pack".