Rescue in RI?

[Cindy Q]

I just came back from RI and while I was there with a group of friends we went to visit some of their family. While we were there visiting and eating dinner I heard some chirping behind a closed door. I whistled back and forth with the mysterious birds for awhile before asking our hosts about them. They seemed relunctant to let me see them but eventually took me to them. They were a timneh african grey and cherry headed conure and they were in the basement. There cages were too small with an entirely seed sunflower mix diet, their cages were filthy and both of the birds had injuries. The conures leg was broken, it looked like an old injury that had healed incorrectly but the tag had 1 eye that was completely protruding from his head he was slightly plucked as well. I can't even describe it... Needless to say I was stunned. You hear about these sad stories all the time but i'd never witnessed anything like it. They rushed to tell me, maybe because of the incredulous look on my face I suppose that the grey had been taken to the vet and they had spent a fortune of 400 dollars to fix him but nothing worked. They didn't mention the conures injury, I don't know if they even knew he was injured. They left me in the basement with the birds and I just sat there and talked to them for a bit. I didn't know what to say to these people. I had just met them and the friends I was with would not understand what the problem was... They asked me what types of birds I had and I told them and then proceeded to tell them as non confrontationally as possible how expensive i've noticed it is to care for birds properly and what diet I have mine on as well as the set up mine are in and how each year I take all 4 of mine in for check ups that never cost me less then 200 each! and thats when nothing is wrong with them. They seemed uncomfortable with the conversation and they changed the topic. I would like to help those birds....I don't know what I could do though. I think they are embarrassed of the condition they are in and thats the only reason they keep them along with the fact that they probably couldn't make any money off of them. So I think they think its easier to keep them down there and continue on as usual. If I had had more time to think it through I may've offered to take them off of their hands but the condition they are in worries me and I would be afraid to expose my birds to them as I don't have a room that has a seperate air supply to do an absolutely seperate quarentine. I would like to tell them about a rescue in their area though if nothing else. They were located in RI near Newport, so if anyone knows of a rescue in that genearl area I could refer them to i'd appreciate it. I might try and see if they are interested in rehoming them as well. Maybe I could take them in and try to find them a home. Its hard though because under normal circumstances I may've never seen these people again and they may not feel comfortable talking to me about any of this. Anyways if anyone has any advice about what they think I could do i'd appreciate it.

[Graehstone]

ASPCA!! Call them!
Seriously, those birds need to get out of there, I do not know of any rescues there in the area but I think that the aspca would be a better bet as they have the power to remove the birds for their own sake and a rescue as far as I know can not.
And seeing as how you will probably never see these folks again it would be no skin off of your nose to do that for the birds.
Just my thoughts on this, others might disagree.

[JLWest2004]

Neglect is neglect, and it is a crime. There is no plausible excuse for placing an animal in conditions that may result in illness, injury, or death. I'd simply call the police and take it from there.

[JThw8]

I have to agree, those poor birds are just waiting to die, slowly, the way they are now. They need to be removed asap and given proper care. Poor babies.

[Cindy Q]

I didn't drive there. I don't know where we were exactly or their address. I was going to get their phone number from my friend and talk to them about possibly taking the birds to a rescue but if I ask my friend for their address, number etc...and then a police shows up at their house and takes their birds this is going to create a divide in my extended family. These people I was in RI with are not just my friends they are my sister in laws on my hubbys side and this is their family. I wanted to handle this in another way that would not cause me to be ostracized, I wanted to handle this in a way that the birds got out of there but no one was hurt in the process. :oops: Perhaps i'm being selfish but I would prefer to find another way to do this, I may consider the aspca but as a last resort.

[robotralph]

the way you described it that is not family too far removed. besides wrong is wrong i would call the aspca in on my brother if He was doing something like this. those people have no feeling for the birds and if the situation was reversed you can bet your swet a** they would not even think about it before calling on you, they have no feelings and do not deserve any.

[Graehstone]

I understand your concerns, truely I do, but even if it were my own mother doing that I would turn her shiney heiny in in a heartbeat and have no qualms what so ever.
Torture is torture and neglect is neglect, I personally could not sleep anymore knowing that there are birds in need and I could do something to help them.
Try to get them from them please!!! Buy them if you have too, but there needs to be something done and soon.
Sorry to ride on you like that, I know your heart is in the right place.
Please let us know how it turns out.

[JLWest2004]

It sounds like you are in between a rock and a hard place, and I can certainly understand your dilemna. You need to do what you feel is right in regards to helping these birds; all we can offer is our opinion on what we would do in the same situation.

I mentioned the police because that is what works for me here in Illinois. My local animal shelter will not do a damn thing unless the police are involved in some manner. Why? I haven't the slightest idea.

This whole situation falls under Animal Cruelty and Abuse statutes here in Illinois, and it can be classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony. It can also carry hefty fines, as well as imprisonment.

The State of Rhode Island also has statutes governing Animal Cruelty. Educate yourself, talk to your friends about it, and take whatever action you deem fit.

[jessicaboyer89]

Maybe these people would be relieved to get these birds off of their hands but are to embarassed to do anything about it? If you feel like leaving the police and RSPCA as a last resort, maybe you could just offer to take them yourself and take them to a shelter or rehome. It may just be that they hand them over without a fight. You know the situation more than anyone, but that is what I would try first. Don't give up though!!
sidenote...Isn't this exactly what Joel and everyone has been talking about with setting up a rescue fund, ect. If this couple won't give up the birds without some cash, maybe this would be a good place to start? Just a thought.
Good luck!

[Graehstone]

Dag nab it, lol I sure wish I could help.
Too bad I live so far away, otherwise I would say give me their address and I'll sneak into the basement and steal them. :shock:
Just kidding of course :?
Crap, now I'm not going to be able to sleep because of this.
:oops: