July 2009
ear People, birds and elephants, Hi people and Happy Anniversary. It is comforting and somewhat exhilarating to realize that we have been together sharing our fine and worthy cause for the past 19 years. From the disdain of certain pet shop managers that did not like us because we told the truth, to others who gratefully acknowledged us by sending their clients to us for advice and help, to local and not so local veterinarians that have people call us for advice and help all the time, we have survived together helping each other and being there when we were needed most for the birds we love so well.
I don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but we have to keep those birds of ours happy and their minds stimulated. That means plenty of out of the cage time and plenty of interactive time with us. Some of the saddest situations I have seen are birds that are caged all the time. We have to make sure we know how much responsibility we are taking on when we get a pet bird and live up to that obligation by taking care of it and providing for its entertainment and interest every day of our life.
I have seen breeding birds stuck in cages for their entire existence with nothing but a big nest box so somebody could make money on the babies they pull from their frustrated and horrified parents to "hand raise." It makes me sick. Akin to that are birds that are called pets and live out their boring lives stuck in a cage from which they are rarely if ever released. These birds are sentient, intelligent creatures. They need stimulation and love. If you can’t or won’t give them that, don’t have them. I hate seeing my birds in cages; I wish I could set them free. Of course, that can never be, so I work to make their lives as good as I can.
Tonight, to help celebrate our 19th anniversary, we have a most interesting and informative speaker, Chad Seewagen. I am looking forward to his talk on the migratory birds that refuel themselves in the public parks of New York City. He comes to us through the Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx Zoo. Next month Kathy Stevens, the director of the Farm Animal Sanctuary in Saugerties NY will talk to us about the sanctuary and the good work they do protecting animals which, of course, includes birds. October is our big show, people. Let us not forget to all do our part to make it the best yet.
Once again, I wish you a warm and happy anniversary. This is a special occasion we share at this time of year as we have done for the past nineteen. It is special because every person in our club is special. This is because we care and we do something about that caring.
With Love,
Richie
I don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but we have to keep those birds of ours happy and their minds stimulated. That means plenty of out of the cage time and plenty of interactive time with us. Some of the saddest situations I have seen are birds that are caged all the time. We have to make sure we know how much responsibility we are taking on when we get a pet bird and live up to that obligation by taking care of it and providing for its entertainment and interest every day of our life.
I have seen breeding birds stuck in cages for their entire existence with nothing but a big nest box so somebody could make money on the babies they pull from their frustrated and horrified parents to "hand raise." It makes me sick. Akin to that are birds that are called pets and live out their boring lives stuck in a cage from which they are rarely if ever released. These birds are sentient, intelligent creatures. They need stimulation and love. If you can’t or won’t give them that, don’t have them. I hate seeing my birds in cages; I wish I could set them free. Of course, that can never be, so I work to make their lives as good as I can.
Tonight, to help celebrate our 19th anniversary, we have a most interesting and informative speaker, Chad Seewagen. I am looking forward to his talk on the migratory birds that refuel themselves in the public parks of New York City. He comes to us through the Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx Zoo. Next month Kathy Stevens, the director of the Farm Animal Sanctuary in Saugerties NY will talk to us about the sanctuary and the good work they do protecting animals which, of course, includes birds. October is our big show, people. Let us not forget to all do our part to make it the best yet.
Once again, I wish you a warm and happy anniversary. This is a special occasion we share at this time of year as we have done for the past nineteen. It is special because every person in our club is special. This is because we care and we do something about that caring.
With Love,
Richie