Petition to End Live Animal Sales at Chain Pet Stores
The Avian Welfare Coalition
Foster Parrots LTD
The Beak Retreat
Dear Concerned Veterinarian,
We are circulating the attached petition to Veterinarians across the country who are aware and concerned of the serious need to stop the selling of parrots by large pet store chains such as PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc., and PETsMART.
Our goal is to take the signatures to the media and pursue a public awareness campaign to educate the consumer to purchase a parrot through a breeder or store who will take the time to educate them on the proper care of these wild animals.
Your signatures are a valuable tool; your comments are welcomed and encouraged. Thank you so much for your input.
Tami Myers AHT
The Beak Retreat
392 Kelley Blvd
No. Attleboro MA, 02760
508-699-6891
email: Tami@thebeakretreat.com
In reply to a questionnaire sent to vets across the country as to whether or not unwanted parrots or euthanasia is a problem in their areas we received the following letter.
"Unfortunately this is a very common problem everywhere. I sometimes wonder if exotic birds should be kept as pets at all (a hard statement to make, since I am a bird owner & my living is made from caring for them).
These are wild animals and many of them adapt very poorly to life in captivity. This misadaptation manifests as a huge array of behavioral problems. The public is never told about the potential problems (noise, biting, aggression, self mutilation, mess, et.) when they are buying a bird.
They are only told about the wonderful things (companionship, talking, tricks, et.). This is a big mistake, and it leads to thousands of impulse buys by unknowing, inexperienced people, who mean well, but soon find that this was not the pet for them. Unfortunately it's the birds that suffer in the end, and I'm afraid that the trend you are now seeing is only the tip of the iceberg. Its not going to be easy to find homes for the thousands of unwanted birds that will be flooding the shelters soon. Not to mention that they live a long time compared to dogs & cats."
Sincerely,
Todd Wolf, DVM, ABVP
Will you Help?We the undersigned believe that too many exotic birds suffer in the hands of
undereducated guardians when kept as "pets." Although these animals may be
captive-bred, they are not truly domesticated. Very few people can realistically
provide for the long-term physical or psychological needs of exotic birds, many
of which, depending on the species, can live 20-70 years or longer. We further
agree that the sale of birds in the large pet and supply chains will lead to an
overpopulation problem ending in the euthanasia of many innocent and
intelligent animals.
This petition will be used in public forums to show that there is significant
agreement and concern in the veterinary community. It will be used to influence
future legislation and to sway the pet trade (specifically PETCO and PETsMART) into
ending the mass production and sale of parrots as pets. Thank you.
VETERINARIANS ONLY PLEASE
Name:________________________________________________________
Clinic or Hospital:_______________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________
City:________________________________State:_______Zip:___________
Phone #: ( )_________________ E-Mail:_________________________
Name:________________________________________________________
Clinic or Hospital:_______________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________
City:________________________________State:_______Zip:___________
Phone #: ( )_________________ E-Mail:_________________________
Please print this form, [Veterinarians only] fill it out, and mail it back to:
Tami Myers
392 Kelley Blvd
N. Attleboro, MA 02760
