Just wondering is there any financial assistance for cat sterilisation? I know in my part of Australia you can get desexing done cheaply by going to certain vets. Our furry crowd are all done. We didn't want puppies or kittens so we took they responsible approach. The only stuff up we've had was when when one of our at that stage free range girl bunnies ended up up the duff to a neighbours rabbit who decided to come in. The girls are now back in their hutch and the baby boy we decided to keep is in a separate hutch looking at getting his bollies done very soon.
On the bird thing...I buy my birds from either a dealer who I know very well or breeders. If I really want something, I wait. I go by the theory that if you want it bad enough and a good quality bird is unavailable at the time you'll still want it in 12 months time when it may be available.