Can someone explain please?

[Abby]

Ok, I've pondered over asking this today and I am not asking this to create trouble. I'm genuinely confused as to why is there such strong opposing views on breeding? As you can see I'm in Australia, and we don't seem to have the number of homeless birds that I read about in other places. I don't think I'm naive, I just don't understand it.

[cfulhage]

Simply because there are so many birds in shelters that need homes. Parrots are complicated, and take a lot of work to properly care for. People aren't educated enough. Most breeders/pet stores (not speaking of Dayna's) are most concerned with profit and don't really care where their birds go. People buy them, realize they are more trouble than they can handle, and to the shelter they go. I knew NOTHING about grey's, and was doing SO much wrong with Dakota when I got Ollie, but the breeder asked NOT ONE SINGLE QUESTION of me, just asked me when I could pay the deposit.

I was questioned in another thread because I got Ollie from a breeder. The reason being that pet stores with parrots are not common around here, and I saw my first african grey, first med/large parrot, at the breeders home when I put my deposit on Ollie. I wanted a grey, didn't know where to get one other than from her, and plus, I wasn't a member of this board at the time, and knew virtually nothing about large parrots, let alone the problems with homeless ones.

Many people aren't able to properly care for a parrot from a shelter what with all their "baggage," myself included I'm sure. I'm not completely against breeding, I just think there are already plenty of breeders out there, many who need to better educate their parrot's potential owners before selling.

I'm sure the situation and views are different in Australia, and in Ireland as well. I didn't know the person was from Ireland when I commented.

[Monica]

I think part of the issue is that in Australia there are laws about bird keeping and how to care for them properly, and when breeding is allowed or when it's possible to sell your chicks. Obviously I can't say I know that much about these laws, but I think they go a long way into keeping healtheir and happier birds which in turn results in more educated people who properly care for their birds...

Beyond animal abuse/neglect, and illegal birds to own, I don't know of any bird keeping laws here in the states.

[Tiki]

You need a license to keep certain types of birds-usually native birds that are endangered in the wild. There is a more recent law (geared to anti-smugglers) that you have to be able to trace a bird (expensive ones like Macaws, Amazons, Poicephalus, African Greys) to legally bred parents to prove that they weren't smuggled illegally into Australia.

I did see that other thread just now since I am home now; though it played out while I was at work until Laurie closed it. I wish I had seen it in time, because I do know that bird keeping is way different in other countries than the USA. I don't think rescues are nearly as prevalent, nor are they needed in most countries. I am not sure why this is.

I would like everyone to please notice where a poster lives when you reply to threads. That other poster lives in Ireland and while I don't know what bird keeping is like there, I don't think there are nearly as many rescues as there are in the USA.

[Abby]

There are proposals on the laws regarding exotics that will mean you need transfer info. even for indian ringnecks, conures and lovies. At this stage I believe they are still at the comment stage. Things are really tightening up. It is illegal to sell native parrots unweaned but the exotics aren't covered by this same law.
I guess when you're used to living with certain regulations you just take it for granted. I know when I announced that I was going back to breeding or tell people what I'm doing they're really interested, want to know all about it and are really supportive.
So...I think it's just a case that things are different in different countries.
Thanks Camille, Monica and Tara for your responses.

[FeathersNFur8]

I would like everyone to please notice where a poster lives when you reply to threads. That other poster lives in Ireland and while I don't know what bird keeping is like there, I don't think there are nearly as many rescues as there are in the USA.

This is an excellent reminder Tara. I can understand the concern of those in the United States though, when you read numbers like this. The numbers below are from a 2003/2004 survey. I can't begin to imagine what the situation is like statistically today.

More effective captive breeding processes in the past two decades have increased the supply and decreased the cost of parrots to the retail pet trade. This situation has contributed to making parrots the third most popular pet in the U.S., following cats and dogs.

The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association's breakdown of pet ownership in the U.S., according to the 2003/2004 National Pet Owners Survey, found that birds are found in 17.3 million homes, and that 46 percent of all households surveyed own more than one pet. Other studies estimate the captive parrot population to be between 12 and 60 million in the U.S.

Under-educated buyers and sellers, and mis communications and misconceptions between them, often result in the suffering of many birds and the disenchantment of many consumers. This drives a great need for shelters and sanctuaries capable of handling displaced birds. Studies show 85 percent of all parrots are given away or sold within the first two years and that rescuers are only able to care for about 1 percent of these birds.

[felisdomesticus]

I would imagine that the same % of parrots are given up in other countries, too.

[Tiki]

Jill, speaking only for Australia, when people want to rehome a parrot, they tend to advertise in the paper and will often screen the new home very carefully. Maybe because parrots are native here, we have different views. Very few are given to the RSPCA and if they ever were, they would be adopted pretty quick. We do have a big problem with dogs and cats being given up to the RSPCA though, especially right after Christmas. I just got a leaflet that went out to all homeowners in bulk mail imploring people not to give pet puppies and kittens for Christmas presents because many of them will end up in their shelters.

[Mike B]

Tara, How many people in Aus. keep Toos as pets? I don't know, but I would think not many. In the US you have PETA, and HSUS touting huge numbers of homeless birds. Yes, there are birds that need to be rehomed. Not like their #'s state though. Then you have the slug looking for free birds becoming a rescue. In the US there is ALOT of those. There is one here in MIchigan that became a rescue. Got enough birds closed his rescue, and is now breeding. Yes, fact. The US rescue contingent is a very LOUD group. They are well formed, and vocal. Breeders, and pet stores have more to do than sit around the internet, and spout #'s. Education is the key, Education of the pet owner.

Mike

[irlgirl]

Originally Posted by Mike B

Tara, How many people in Aus. keep Toos as pets? I don't know, but I would think not many. In the US you have PETA, and HSUS touting huge numbers of homeless birds. Yes, there are birds that need to be rehomed. Not like their #'s state though. Then you have the slug looking for free birds becoming a rescue. In the US there is ALOT of those. There is one here in MIchigan that became a rescue. Got enough birds closed his rescue, and is now breeding. Yes, fact. The US rescue contingent is a very LOUD group. They are well formed, and vocal. Breeders, and pet stores have more to do than sit around the internet, and spout #'s. Education is the key, Education of the pet owner.

Mike

sorry just curious why you would think aussies dont keep toos. we have people that breed them here as well as keep them as pets aswell as galahs.