Parrot Ownership (or why one should really do the research before buying a pet....)

[Jak43]

Bye Bye Birdie - CBS News Video

[jdlilfan]

Thanks for sharing!

[MusicalFeathers]

Great video. I hope a lot of people saw it.

[RubyMuse]

Thanks so much for sharing this video. It is so true. I never would have thought that people would line up to give away their birds, but they do and I have experienced it many times.

I am grateful when this side of the story is told.

[Lyndsay]

Very interesting video. Perhaps instead of purchasing a new bird, when it comes time for me to get a new one, I'll adopt. So many poor birdies need a good forever home.

[SillyArwenBurd]

brought tears to my eyes those poor birds... :(

[fqtt]

awwww what a video :'DD The caption made me kind of mad, though...

"Parrots are colorful, smart and, sometimes, quite talkative but, as Bill Whitaker reports, some owners find it too difficult to care for them and are forced to give them away."

'FORCED' to give them away... Makes me sad to think so many pet owners don't take the time to research what kind of job they're taking on :(

That story about the woman that had the cockatoo for 19 years made me so sad, though DD:

[debbielabella]

I wanted to adopt a bird who needed a home and was keeping an eye on craigslist. What I found was not what I expected, people who loved their birds, didn't want to part with them, but needed the money. I didn't think they should sell them and thought the birds were better off with them. I really didn't expect to find so much of that but it seems people are looking at their birds like assets in these times. I know there are people out there who actually need to place their birds, and that is a true adoption/rescue.

[missysue29]

Originally Posted by Lyndsay

Very interesting video. Perhaps instead of purchasing a new bird, when it comes time for me to get a new one, I'll adopt. So many poor birdies need a good forever home.

Its hard to adopt a bird from a rescue (for example) for $400 when you know you can get one from a breeder $200. Its not like with dogs where the purebred ones are more expensive, and definitly more expensive from a breeder, and the rescues are trying to just break even. The bird rescues are charging more and its more hassle with them than with a breeder. I guess getting one from craigslist would still count as a rescue though, without the middleman.

I didnt realize that it was getting to the point where birds were being euthanized! I guess cuz you dont see stray birds flying around every day... But I would definitly love to rescue and give a couple birds their forever home, but its just the up front cost of adopting one from a rescue that is stopping me. Sure, I could charge any vet bills if need be, and can always afford to pay for their everyday cost, but Im not going to/can't charge a bird or any pet.

[debbielabella]

the difference between craigslist and a rescue is craigslist you find people who have neglected to train their birds and are trying unload a problem, and people who are trying to make some money off their pets. when you buy from a rescue you are donating to a worthy cause, it is true charity. that's not to say some craigslists are matches made in heaven and the right people can turn around a troubled bird, but usually it is at a good price where with a rescue the extra cost goes towards care for abandoned or sick birds. Getting a bird from a rescue has more of a direct impact on birds who may be euthanized. Agreed not everyone can afford a rescue, but I'm not sure that all of them are expensive and just donating some money when you can helps.