Injured parakeet at petsmart

[My Kiwi]

I took my Raspy to Petsmart today for her grooming and as usual went to check out the birds. There was one cage with about 20 "Rare Parakeets" in it at $20 each. I was amused by one frisky one in particular. He seemed to be riling up the others. Then I noticed a birdie hiding on the bottom behind a food dish. Frisky went over and chased her out and I noticed she had an injured foot. She was hopping around and one toe was completely extended to one side . Frisky would not leave her alone, chasing her around, so I told the clerk about it and she got it out of the cage, put it in a box, and carried it away. Now I am going crazy wondering what they will do with it. I know some of you have worked there. There is a veterinarian on-site....but for a $20 bird ? I don't know.

[Monica]

They will either care for the budgie until it recovers, or deem it 'not worth anything' and put the bird out of it's 'misery'. I don't really know, but I hope it will get cared for!

[Tiki]

I hope he gets cared for too-if they have a full time vet there it is possible.

[FeatherLover]

I worked for Petsmart for quite a few years.

The bird was likely taken to the quarantine or "sick" room. The temperature is kept nice and warm and the bird will (or should) be seen by a vet.

It will not (again, or should not) be euthanized.

I always fought for all of the animals at the store I worked at.

[My Kiwi]

Oh thank goodness. I assumed that at first but then the girl was real nonchalant about it and did not say anything so I was like hmmmmm. I will say that at the vets office there they are very nice and caring. It appeared the one toe was broken as it was wayyy out of place. Will they be able to fix it or will it just be left alone til it heals ? It had no problem getting around as it was hard to catch. I noticed several of them looked tattered. I am thinking maybe they had some fighting going on during the trip there. There was also a pretty lovebird in a cage alone with no tail feathers left, looked to be chewed off. Over all the birds seem happy there whenever I go and there is always toys, food, treats, clean water, etc. so I believe they are well taken care of. I am sure she will be fine. I just worry too much about everything

[Monica]

Normally foot injuries are not that big of a deal to birds... might make some things difficult but more than likely able to learn to deal with...

[AmandaB]

I also worked at Petsmart, sounds like the store where Megan worked was a whole lot better than mine. To put it gently, any of the animals, birds or otherwise, if sick are left to their own devices. Only the animals that cost the store big $$ in the first place are taken to the vet or are given medical attention.

I hope the store with the injured keet is a lot more humane than the one here. Not all of them are bad. The fact that they removed the bird from the others is a good sign. Especially if they have an on-site vet. You did your part by trying to help.

[jlunn23]

I work at Petco as a General Manger and I know in my store I ALWAYS call put the animals that are injured in the Wellness Room and immediately call the vet, or call first thing in the mroning. We also do frequent checks throughout the day and night on all our animals to make sure they are happy and healthy. Our animals are to be seen by the vet within 24 hours. The animal is cared for and will not be put back on the floor until it is released by our vet. If it is deemed unselleable, the animal will go up for adoption. No animal is euthanized unless it has a contagious disease or is too injured to be sold or adopted out. We will not let any animal become euthanized without approval, even if it a mouse.

[Monica]

It's good to hear of one good Petco out there! Keep up the work!

[Tiki]

Originally Posted by jlunn23

I work at Petco as a General Manger and I know in my store I ALWAYS call put the animals that are injured in the Wellness Room and immediately call the vet, or call first thing in the mroning. We also do frequent checks throughout the day and night on all our animals to make sure they are happy and healthy. Our animals are to be seen by the vet within 24 hours. The animal is cared for and will not be put back on the floor until it is released by our vet. If it is deemed unselleable, the animal will go up for adoption. No animal is euthanized unless it has a contagious disease or is too injured to be sold or adopted out. We will not let any animal become euthanized without approval, even if it a mouse.

Good job! We need more petshop managers like you!