What is the solution to the growing problem of so many neglected and unwanted parrots kept in captivity? God only knows! As long as the demand is high and there are bucks to be made, they will continue breeding more baby birds, importing, and even smuggling wild parrots into this country.
The public is well informed on the importance to spay and neuter your pet to keep down the population of thousands of unwanted dogs and cats from becoming victims of stray animals wandering the streets suffering from starvation and disease. But you never hear how a parrot suffers physically from bad diet and filthy conditions by the carelessness of irresponsible owners and ignorance on the proper care of exotic birds. Equally as cruel is how their existence is tormented by continuous confinement without any social interaction or mental stimulation.
Often times the cute, little baby bird sold in a pet shop starts out with so much attention, but in time finds itself isolated in a cage and usually resorts to aggression, habitual screaming and obsessive feather plucking; just another distressed victim in need of rescue. Many parrots are purchased on a whim and the unsuspecting owners are unaware of the potential life-long commitment and what the responsibility owning a parrot involves.
WHAT EVERY UNSUSPECTING BUYER SHOULD KNOW BEFORE PURCHASING A PARROT;WARNING!
I am tame, but not domestic. I have the potential to become your life-long companion and for us to experience between us a bond unlike any other, based on love and trust with that of kind, caring and knowledgeable owners. But there is no guarantee that I will stay that way. I may make you laugh with my curious and playful behavior, amaze you with my intelligence and ability to talk, and relate to you in such a way that I almost appear human. But my instinctive behavior is still that of a bird. I like to chew, climb trees, and of course would rather be flying with other birds than to sit inside this cage. The closest thing I may ever get to a tree is your favorite piece of furniture. So don't get mad; I get bored, too. And just like humans, I too, am social and need attention and interaction. So, when you no longer find the time and I become ignored without any freedom from my cage, a burden from all the hours of scrubbing and bending cleaning cages and floors, I can and probably will resort to wild behavior, like very loud screaming and serious biting. You see, I'm only acting naturally, just like a bird.
If it wasn't for private, caring, rescue people; who would take care of these desperate, victimized birds? There are no funded shelters for abused parrots and even more frightening is the fact that parrot rescue are realizing that they no longer have the space, time, money for vet bills and energy to take in another distressed bird.
Who wants a bald, plucked parrot whose feathers may never grow back because of all the mental torment? Parrots, that only dream of finding a loving, permanent home, are sold over and over again because of biting or a neighbor complaining about their screaming. What becomes of the birds who have suffered so mercilessly, sick and malnourished, forgotten about in someone's garage or basement that now require so much rehabilitation and a life long commitment of medical attention with expensive vet bills?
You are the hero, PARROT RESCUE! It is because of your great love and understanding of these magnificent birds that you want to bring an AWARENESS to this awful, growing problem and see the need for EDUCATION on sound behavioral Psittacine psychology so that parrots are spared this trauma.
LET'S ALL HELP, for the love of parrots
Sally Brooks
