Ash's big adventure!

[Ashling]

I thought I might write a little story of Ash and my journey to the pet shop!

Today we went to the biggest pet shop in the southern hemisphere to get a really good lorikeet book so I can learn more and more about them! I took Ashling cause she loves to say hi to all the pets there. When I had chosen the book, we went to see what kinds of birds they had in and I was so excited because they had a blue fronted AMAZON! I had never ever seen one in the flesh so I was gob smacked! He was playing with a nut, not really noticing me- but Ash was scared out of her wits at such a huge bird! (Her first amazon too!)

There was also two beautiful greys- one that said "How are ya?" And there were two quakers, three green cheek conures, five baby cockatiels and eight baby budgies. I was in heaven! These were only the hand tamed babies, there was about a hindred other birds in a room, which I didn't go in for fear of any air born diseases cause it's pretty cramped and dark in there. (Poor birdies?) I didn't know how weird the sounds quakers made were!? I found that I could repeat the sound exactly too- which I think offended them in some way cause they only did it louder!

After the birds, we went to look at the fish and Ash tried to grab some electric blue fish through the glass! She didn't much like the blue tongue lizards or the jungle pythons, but was quite interested in some spoodle puppies! At the end of our adventure, Ash ended up with a new tinkle ball! On the way home, Ash was pretty tired, but we had a great time at the petshop!!

Fin!

[Shades of Grey]

Dear Ashling,

Im sure that Ash had a nice time looking at all the pets in the shop.

However, in my personal opinion, no matter how hygenic the pet shop, there is still a chance of your pet catching something from so many creatures under one roof. Even perfectly 'healthy' looking animals may be harbouring a disease.

Whenever I come home after visiting a pet shop, breeder, or bird market, I dont handle my birds ( I have an African Grey & a Cockateil - both cuddly tame & talking ) without having a shower and a change of clothing.

I may be 'hypersensitive' on the issue but its better to be extra-careful than regret later.

Take care,

[glucas]

I have wondered/worried about diseases and such when boarding my U2 Baxter at the pet shop where I purchased him. They don't have may large parrots (sometimes none) usually smaller birds. They do ask their customers to sanitize their hands prior to handling birds, but I have seen them not enforce that rule fairly frequently.

Occassionally, I have to travel overnight, sometimes for a 2 or 3 days and I just hate leaving baxter all alone in the house with just someone stopping by to check on him. At the boarding he's guaranteed 2 hours of out of cage time to play and interact with the staff (not customers).

Is boarding there too risky?

Originally Posted by Shades of Grey

Dear Ashling,

Im sure that Ash had a nice time looking at all the pets in the shop.

However, in my personal opinion, no matter how hygenic the pet shop, there is still a chance of your pet catching something from so many creatures under one roof. Even perfectly 'healthy' looking animals may be harbouring a disease.

Whenever I come home after visiting a pet shop, breeder, or bird market, I dont handle my birds ( I have an African Grey & a Cockateil - both cuddly tame & talking ) without having a shower and a change of clothing.

I may be 'hypersensitive' on the issue but its better to be extra-careful than regret later.

Take care,

[Ashling]

Don't worry, I never take her into the "bird room" which is full of birds, feathers and dust. Ash is never allowed to touch any birdies, or anything esle there for that matter. She just sits on my shoulder/ arm and watches. Compared to bird owners around here, I'm extremely protective when it comes to her health! I know there's always a "chance" but I just think it's more important for her to learn and experience things, than to stay at home. There are risks every where, it's just part of life. The only problem would be those damn air born organisms! (Don't you hate those?!) But we've never had any trouble before. Thanks for your concern though, it's appreciated!

[SunMommy]

sounds like a fun trip!

[kali]

my pet shop is better :P

lol nah we don't have an amazon! or african greys to play with and talk to :(

[animecouple]

sounds like fun... do you have im' on a harness? travel box to get there, or simply free? just curious. also What kind of birdy is ash!

sounds like you guys have a good time. My pet shop only has budgies and tiels occasionally.... and man... overpriced, no way in heck knowledgable.... they say if a teil has orange cheeks its a male... if not, its a female... yeah!... we live in the boonies! you are wayyy lucky!

[Ashling]

Ashling is a rainbow lorikeet! :D She has clipped wings and no harness- she's not flighty at all and she isn't fased by shopping centres, trucks, cars, dogs, people or trains! When we're outside near roads or cars I hold onto her a bit just in case, or have her on my hand next to my tummy with the other hand cupped around her for security- I get more anxious than her by far!

Being a lorikeet, she's pretty heavy and not lightweight like- say- a cockatiel- so she can't even fly with the aid of a gust of wind, fortunately. I'm letting her wings grow now so she's mostly restricted to inside until I get a harness- she's allowed out for her daily tree climbing, grass foraging and sun bathing though! Just no walks to the park or shops or up the street to help me collect native flowers.

Yeah the petshop I mentioned can be very pricey. I think the baby tiels go for AUS $90 or something! The baby lorikeets there were AU$150 more than where I got Ash from! On the other hand, they are very good quality, healthy and happy stock!