Question:
Thank you for your column that appeared in my daily newspaper this morning regarding adopting parrots. I think it's shocking to learn how many people have a parrot but don't know what kind it is, much less its proper care, and don't make an attempt to find out.I've also had experience with "bird clubs," and it's been disappointing because it seems most of the members are also breeders and that is the thrust of their interest. Most barbaric of all are the fund-raising "bird expos" in which many birds of all ages, including un-weaned babies, are crowded together for several days in one large, drafty room and are for sale to anyone -- regardless of background -- with the money to buy them. Often, the culmination of these events is a raffle in which the "prize" is an innocent young parrot.Thank you for telling it like it is. My vet says that we are not far from having to euthanize parrots, as we do dogs and cats in this country, due to over-breeding.
W.H., Springfield, Mo May 23, 2004
Answer:
It's good to hear from an enlightened parrot lover! Many people love their captive parrots because they are such intelligent, aware, humorous and affectionate soul mates. But -- just like wolves, ocelots, wolf-dogs, ocecats and other wild and half-wild hybrid species kept as captive pets -- too many parrots suffer because of inadequate facilities that deprive them of their behavioral and emotional/psychological needs, impose improper diets, and foster a lack of understanding of correct handling and communication methods. That also goes for elephants, dolphins and orcas, orangutans and chimpanzees, and lions and tigers in most zoos, marinas and circuses (the vast majority of which should be closed on the grounds of animal cruelty).
Subscribe