February 2010
Dear Birds, Elephants and Humans,
It never stops; it just never stops. I am in the process of re-homing a crippled macaw who has had, I believe, at least 5 homes. Today, I was at a car mechanic, where an employee told me that she had two cockatoos. I, of course, invited her to join our club and she, of course, told me that she no longer wants them and so, now I am looking for a home for 2 cockatoos. This situation involves so much uncertainty and sadness in the lives of these poor birds and it plain drives me crazy! There seems to be an overabundance of evidence that shows that for most people, parrots are not good pets. There seems to be, again, an overabundance of evidence that shows that many people who buy parrots do not know what they are taking on or how much is actually involved in their care and their needs. Parrots are communal birds, they need a tremendous amount of care and attention. They make lots of dirt and lots of noise. They can bite when they are scared or angry or just want to...................They should never be stuck in a cage 24 hours a day because that is cruel.
I keep repeating myself when I say this, but most of the places that sell and profit from parrots do not tell their prospective buyers what and how much is really involved in that parrot’s care. In my experience, people buy parrots and enjoy them for a while. Many people then become overwhelmed by the actual needs and demands of the bird and they do not want the bird anymore. Parrots are, if they stay in good health, life long pets, often going through generations in a family. That too, by the way, can present a problem. I do not know the answers to these dilemmas because ethics and money making usually travel in different directions. My heart hurts for the birds who are inevitably the victims....all time. As long as there is money to be made, the well being of the animal is the last consideration. A good parrot adoption is heart warming, a lousy one is painful and I have done both. Beware of ads that say, “will take any unwanted bird.....” Beware if you care!
At this time the people who adopt from our club sign a much more involved contract that gives us the right to take back the bird if it is kept in a way that we, as bird lovers, find to be inappropriate or inhumane. Such clauses have been included in the contracts of many, if not all, humane organizations and we are a “humane” bird club. I, also, know that this clause is legally enforceable because I know of instances where it has been used to take back an animal in question. We want what is best for the birds that come to us for a new home. I know that I am always saying that there are no “bird experts” as far as care and socialization is concerned, but we individually know what we feel is best for the life and well being of each bird. I know how I feel and as long as I am doing the adoptions, I will have to keep going on those feelings. Anyone who wants to take over this job or even become president of this club should let me know, because it often brings me great sadness and I would gladly give it up to someone who can do it better.
We have “A Helping Wing” Bird Rescue Service here tonight as our guest speakers. Many of us were privileged to meet them and learn about the work they do at our bird show last year. The scarlet macaw that won “best bird in show” came from their organization. He was an abused mess when they got him. By their good and loving care, he turned out to be quite a beauty and our show judge, Julia Nelson, chose him for the highest honor our bird show provides. They will bring along several birds that they have for adoption and talk to us about the wonderful services they provide.
Next month (another “don’t bring your parrot” month) we have Craig Russell, the president of the SPPA, The Society of the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities. Craig will be presenting a program on the old breeds of poultry that are only found on back yard farms today. He will also bring along some beautiful examples of these breeds that were bred over hundreds of years, but have lost their usefulness in today’s world of factory farming and agribusiness.
Our program in April will be our old friend, Dr. Lonnie Kasman, Avian veterinarian, whose office is in Monroe, NY. Please try to attend every meeting; we have so much to see, hear and learn.
ALSO, please send in articles and pictures of your birds for publication in our newsletter. Thank you Debbie Napolitano and your wonderful birds, Sammy and Bonnie......you never fail............
Until next month people...........Be kind to every animal........and disdain all abuse to animals and children too, while we are at it........................
Happy Birthday to Me.......I am having a special party with Fritha, the world’s greatest elephant.
Love,
Richie..........
It never stops; it just never stops. I am in the process of re-homing a crippled macaw who has had, I believe, at least 5 homes. Today, I was at a car mechanic, where an employee told me that she had two cockatoos. I, of course, invited her to join our club and she, of course, told me that she no longer wants them and so, now I am looking for a home for 2 cockatoos. This situation involves so much uncertainty and sadness in the lives of these poor birds and it plain drives me crazy! There seems to be an overabundance of evidence that shows that for most people, parrots are not good pets. There seems to be, again, an overabundance of evidence that shows that many people who buy parrots do not know what they are taking on or how much is actually involved in their care and their needs. Parrots are communal birds, they need a tremendous amount of care and attention. They make lots of dirt and lots of noise. They can bite when they are scared or angry or just want to...................They should never be stuck in a cage 24 hours a day because that is cruel.
I keep repeating myself when I say this, but most of the places that sell and profit from parrots do not tell their prospective buyers what and how much is really involved in that parrot’s care. In my experience, people buy parrots and enjoy them for a while. Many people then become overwhelmed by the actual needs and demands of the bird and they do not want the bird anymore. Parrots are, if they stay in good health, life long pets, often going through generations in a family. That too, by the way, can present a problem. I do not know the answers to these dilemmas because ethics and money making usually travel in different directions. My heart hurts for the birds who are inevitably the victims....all time. As long as there is money to be made, the well being of the animal is the last consideration. A good parrot adoption is heart warming, a lousy one is painful and I have done both. Beware of ads that say, “will take any unwanted bird.....” Beware if you care!
At this time the people who adopt from our club sign a much more involved contract that gives us the right to take back the bird if it is kept in a way that we, as bird lovers, find to be inappropriate or inhumane. Such clauses have been included in the contracts of many, if not all, humane organizations and we are a “humane” bird club. I, also, know that this clause is legally enforceable because I know of instances where it has been used to take back an animal in question. We want what is best for the birds that come to us for a new home. I know that I am always saying that there are no “bird experts” as far as care and socialization is concerned, but we individually know what we feel is best for the life and well being of each bird. I know how I feel and as long as I am doing the adoptions, I will have to keep going on those feelings. Anyone who wants to take over this job or even become president of this club should let me know, because it often brings me great sadness and I would gladly give it up to someone who can do it better.
We have “A Helping Wing” Bird Rescue Service here tonight as our guest speakers. Many of us were privileged to meet them and learn about the work they do at our bird show last year. The scarlet macaw that won “best bird in show” came from their organization. He was an abused mess when they got him. By their good and loving care, he turned out to be quite a beauty and our show judge, Julia Nelson, chose him for the highest honor our bird show provides. They will bring along several birds that they have for adoption and talk to us about the wonderful services they provide.
Next month (another “don’t bring your parrot” month) we have Craig Russell, the president of the SPPA, The Society of the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities. Craig will be presenting a program on the old breeds of poultry that are only found on back yard farms today. He will also bring along some beautiful examples of these breeds that were bred over hundreds of years, but have lost their usefulness in today’s world of factory farming and agribusiness.
Our program in April will be our old friend, Dr. Lonnie Kasman, Avian veterinarian, whose office is in Monroe, NY. Please try to attend every meeting; we have so much to see, hear and learn.
ALSO, please send in articles and pictures of your birds for publication in our newsletter. Thank you Debbie Napolitano and your wonderful birds, Sammy and Bonnie......you never fail............
Until next month people...........Be kind to every animal........and disdain all abuse to animals and children too, while we are at it........................
Happy Birthday to Me.......I am having a special party with Fritha, the world’s greatest elephant.
Love,
Richie..........