FINCHforum

So I recently came across an ad in NJ advertising EGFs, a species that I've been on the look-out for. Since I'm currently visiting family up here in NJ/NY, I decide to go check the birds out.

I walk in and immediately notice the heavy smell of smoke in the air. I walk into the room where the guy was keeping the birds, and I find a dozen cages that were 12" x 7", each housing 1-2 finches. There were piles of poop on the bottoms. The water bowls were filled with this thing that I can only describe as sludge and made my guts roll. It was absolutely disgusting. Rotting fruit littered the bottom of the cages. The guy begins explaining to me the relationships between the birds (ie: this male is that one's brother, this one is that one's mother, etc.). I noticed that one bird couldn't fly and his tail was gone. The owner took him out and told me that the bird was just molting. This bird's wings seemed to be stuck to his body for some sort of reason and looked on the verge of death. All the birds had this "wet" look and were just sickly in general.

This guy keeps talking about the 300 birds he claims to be keeping downstairs and refuses to show them to me. Why won't he show them to me?The guy then tells me that he's selling each bird for $200. What??? The ad said $95, and even then I was going to try to bargain. This guy wanted me to pay $200 for these poor poor birds. As soon as I heard that, I grabbed my father and my uncle (who had come with me) and ran outta there.

As much as I wanted to save those poor birds, I wouldn't pay even a dime to that guy.

wise decision, I would have done the same

41Gryphon
You were smart to get out of there. Sounds like the guy is abusing his birds. I wonder if NJ has laws against keeping birds in such poor conditions!

41Gryphon

Disgusting.
Just a little while ago, I had posted some pictures on here. They were adds from so called 'breeders' of Gouldians for sale. Quite sickening really. Filthy conditions, sick birds......

What can I tell you, we have all heared of Puppy and Kitten mills, but there are such things as Bird mills as well. Some people have no conscience. For them, their birds, are egg laying machines, not living breathing creatures.

If the conditions there are really horrendous, you should report this person to the authorities. Sadly, if they close him down and confiscate his birds, he'll just start up somewhere else. That said, perhaps the confiscated birds, at least might have a second chance at life.

~Elana~

~Elana~

lovezebs

I'll see what else I can do to report him. Hopefully things will get better for the birds.

41Gryphon -- I'm so sad to hear about these birds in this condition.

But I'm glad you saw them and recognized their plight because now, you can be a voice for them.

The New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NJSPCA) has a 24 hour hotline to report animal cruelty.
The NJSPCA has a law enforcement division with officers who can investigate this and take action.

The number is 800-582-5979.

You can also report it online if that makes you more comfortable:
http://njspca.org/report-abuse

I encourage you to please, please, please report this man!!

Those poor birds don't have a voice.
They're imprisoned and apt to suffer an awful existence and a slow death.

Make no mistake: sludge for water, rotting fruit, untreated injuries and dirty, small cages are all indicators of neglect and abuse.

Please, please report him. It will only take a few minutes. They just need to know what you saw, his address and any other info you have about him (e.g. name, phone, etc.)

Goodness, this makes my blood boil.

MiaCarter wrote: 41Gryphon -- I'm so sad to hear about these birds in this condition.

But I'm glad you saw them and recognized their plight because now, you can be a voice for them.

The New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NJSPCA) has a 24 hour hotline to report animal cruelty.
The NJSPCA has a law enforcement division with officers who can investigate this and take action.

The number is 800-582-5979.

You can also report it online if that makes you more comfortable:
http://njspca.org/report-abuse

I encourage you to please, please, please report this man!!

Those poor birds don't have a voice.
They're imprisoned and apt to suffer an awful existence and a slow death.

Make no mistake: sludge for water, rotting fruit, untreated injuries and dirty, small cages are all indicators of neglect and abuse.

Please, please report him. It will only take a few minutes. They just need to know what you saw, his address and any other info you have about him (e.g. name, phone, etc.)

Goodness, this makes my blood boil.

Already reported! Hopefully something gets done about him.

41Gryphon -- Horray!

THANK YOU for reporting him!

I'm sure they'll investigate it straight away and they'll likely seize those birds if he had as many as he claims and the conditions are bad enough.

I worked with humane law enforcement for many years and they have little tolerance for people who abuse/neglect animals for profit.

They will often work with a well-intentioned owner who has no idea of what it means to care for animals properly.

But when it's for profit, they typically just seize them and file charges.

That's so sad to hear! Hope this guy gets fine or something!