Pet Store Birds

[steve]

Hi All

On Saturday I went to 4 Pet Stores, basically for toys and to look at new products and medication. I was shocked to see the state of the birds on sale at the most well known of the stores, the aviary housing the Zebra's was packed to the rafters, there was not even enough perching space for the birds, they were sitting on top of each other. One could clearly see that some of the birds were sick but these are just left there to spread whatever illness they my have. I came across cages that had dead birds in them which obviously is not a good advert. Plucked birds are not removed but left to continue to suffer at the beaks of the pluckers. The irony of the matter is that they were doing a roaring trade and people were buying birds left, right and centre. I left very unhappy and decided that I will never sell any of my birds to a pet store.

[Toddmin]

Steve,

That is horrible to hear the conditions in which you found those birds. Perhaps there is some government branch that deals with the selling of animals, that you can report this to. That is so heartbreaking to think about.

[lovezebs]

steve
Not good!
And I thought some of the Pet Stores here were bad. Nothing like that though. Dead birds in the cages? That is just beyond horrible. Did you point this out to the management? I would have been on the phone to animal services, to send an inspector in there for a visit.

~Elana~

[Sally]

It shocks me that people would be buying birds when they can see dead birds lying in cages. That should be sending up so many red flags--those people can be taking home illness to spread to the rest of their flock. Would these same people buy a puppy if they saw dead puppies lying in nearby cages? That is shameful that a pet store would be allowed to be in business under those conditions. However, there was a local feed store/pet store that had terrible conditions, and it took forever to get them closed down. Their puppies were from puppy mills, the store was filthy, yet people bought from them because they were cheap.

[finchmix22]

That is just terrible. I'd find an agency to report them and get those finches rescued. Here is the U.S., it would be the ASPCA, which rescues animals, birds reptiles horses, etc. Here is a link to report cruelty or poor conditions, like that pet store, in South Africa.
http://www.aacl.org.za

[MiaCarter]

Oh goodness. This is awful.
PLEASE report the store to the link Deborah provided (http://www.aacl.org.za)
Those poor birds are stuck; they can't do anything to improve their situation or escape. They're relying on caring people to help!

I've seen this on so many occasions.
For several years, I was part of a citizen's task force that worked with the state's animal welfare agency's law enforcement division. We would monitor pet stores and we would look for evidence of cruelty or neglect.
It was shockingly commonplace to see sick/dead/dying/decomposing birds, rodents, even a dead kitten in one case.
I saw so much awfulness, all in the name of profits. That's a big reason why I'm so anti-pet store. I've seen so many cases where animal welfare was tossed aside in favor of profits.
There are some good pet stores, with caring owners who genuinely love the animals and provide great care. But they're very few and far between; the exception, not the rule.

Please keep us posted! I hope someone will help them.

[steve]

Hi All

I have reported this matter, let's see what happens.

Steve

[Rox]

The NSPCA is constantly called about the conditions animals and birds are kept in at pet shops. It is a problem world wide and unfortunately the welfares have limited resources.

Most of the pet shops here have stopped buying in kittens and puppies because of back yard breeders but it still needs to be addressed for the smaller pets, ie birds and fish. The best we can do as the public is to report the pet shop and then boycott them. I refuse to support a pet shop that does not look after their animals.

We actually have excellent animal welfares here in SA and the legal system is also finally waking up to animal abuse and starting to hand out much tougher sentences in court.

[monotwine]

Another route to follow is also to report them to the SA Pet Traders association - especially if they are members.

Sorry you had to see such tragic conditions. Its sounds horrible. I must admit I'm glad to see those I have ever sold or bought birds from are members of the association and even though at times there are more birds in a cage than one would house like that permanently I've never had cause to complain about any of them, plus most of the birds only stand like that for a few days before they are sold out (but this is for very busy and well known shops).

I hope your local NSPCA can bring them to task. No pets shop should be allowed to open its doors if the animals welfare is not top priority.

[Zebrafincher]

I have purchased two of my birds from a local petshop - HOWEVER they have only small amounts of animals, and they are looked after really, really well. The one time I saw a canary bleeding from a wound, it was taken out and cared for straight away. The canary was returned to the flight when she was better. I think this kind of petstore is unfortunately the exception, rather than the norm. The birds i have had from here, have all been long lived and very healthy...

Zebrafincher
Proud owner of:
*Kevin aka “The Old Man” – very cranky canary – 13 years old and rules the Roost!
*Beaky aka “Beaky Beak” the Zebrafinch – 1 year old – and a real, real cutie!!!
*Merlin aka “Merl” the Starfinch – 3 ½ years old – and “bossy as anything for such a small fry!”

[lovezebs]

steve
I'm glad that you reported them. Hopefully they will get a hefty fine, which will convince them to improve their conditions.

Here in Canada, we have good and bad and mediocre. We have the chain stores such as Pet Land and Pet Smart, and among them there are some half decent stores and some that are not so good (nothing like what you describe though, thank God). It depends on the individual managers.

The Pet Shop that I frequent Is huge, and is a family business, privately owned. I enjoy going there, and the animals (no dogs or cats) are kept in decent, clean conditions. The one time I saw a bird being picked on in a cage, I mentioned it, and the bird was immediately switched to another enclosure. I have been shopping there for years, and this is probably where some of my babies will go, when they are ready for new homes.

I hope something is done about the shop that you mentioned. There is absolutely no excuse for keeping any animals in such conditions.

~Elana~

[steve]

Elana, Zebrafincher, Rox, monotwine

Remember it is crazy season and the big boys are all about turnover, stack em high and see them fly, pun intended. There is obviously a demand for pets as Christmas presents so they do all they can to get those sales. It is sad really, I wonder how many of these birds bought over this period actually survive.

Steve

[Airlyn]

Have any of you seen the photo going around on social media regarding a big box store here in the us? It is a photo of about 10 budgies crammed into a hermit crab box. It was rather upsetting. I just saw the photo today on petsmarts facebook.

[lovezebs]

Airlyn
No, I haven't seen it. Not sure I really want to....:'(

~Elana~

[Airlyn]

My societies and my spice finches came from a big box store. I won't support them anymore. They lost my dog food bill for 7 dogs, dog treats etc. Not counting birdie stuff. I'm writing a letter to let them know.