Need to Vent'

[Cheeky beaks]

I just left the group and checked my private e-mail before shutting down my computer for the night.
I got another e-mail about a women who didn't know how to take care of her cockatiel and wanted to know why it was sick. I am so angry, not at her but at pet stores and breeders who don't educate new bird owners. When we got our first cockatiel we were told only to feed it seed and some veg. Thank God I had just got a computer and started reading everything I could. I do sell my tiels to only two pet stores, only two because we have friends check the stores out and ask questions of the store manager and if they don't know the answers to the questions their asked they don't get our birds. When I sell a bird privately I give them a folder I've done up with as much information as I can, eg. safe and unsafe woods, plants and foods ect. as well as how to handle and care for the bird. They also get my phone number and I tell them to call me whenever they need advice. I really feel that its up to breeders to checkout the stores and prospective buyers and maybe one more poor baby won't have to get sick or die.Thanks for letting me vent Joan

[Winged_Victory]

Originally Posted by Edwards

I just left the group and checked my private e-mail before shutting down my computer for the night.
I got another e-mail about a women who didn't know how to take care of her cockatiel and wanted to know why it was sick. I am so angry, not at her but at pet stores and breeders who don't educate new bird owners. When we got our first cockatiel we were told only to feed it seed and some veg. Thank God I had just got a computer and started reading everything I could. I do sell my tiels to only two pet stores, only two because we have friends check the stores out and ask questions of the store manager and if they don't know the answers to the questions their asked they don't get our birds. When I sell a bird privately I give them a folder I've done up with as much information as I can, eg. safe and unsafe woods, plants and foods ect. as well as how to handle and care for the bird. They also get my phone number and I tell them to call me whenever they need advice. I really feel that its up to breeders to checkout the stores and prospective buyers and maybe one more poor baby won't have to get sick or die.Thanks for letting me vent Joan

You are the one inexperienced people should be buying from. I think the way you help is an outstanding idea! If I sold a bird I would do the same,

gary

[HareTrinity]

Don't most people look up as much about an animal as they can before keeping them as a pet, then?

Not that I'm saying the pet stores shouldn't try to look out for the health of the animals they sell (the ones in my area have started phoning people a week or so after to check the animals are still okay, I've noticed), but surely, when committing yourself to looking after the life of another animal, you're supposed to take responsibility for it too?

Not saying that your way of helping isn't good, Edwards, it is, I was just wondering...

[Cheeky beaks]

Originally Posted by HareTrinity

Don't most people look up as much about an animal as they can before keeping them as a pet, then?

Not that I'm saying the pet stores shouldn't try to look out for the health of the animals they sell (the ones in my area have started phoning people a week or so after to check the animals are still okay, I've noticed), but surely, when committing yourself to looking after the life of another animal, you're supposed to take responsibility for it too?

Not saying that your way of helping isn't good, Edwards, it is, I was just wondering...

I wish people who purchased any pet would look up the care of the pet they have purchased. There is a pet store near me that is only interested in the dollar, no I don't sell my birds to them, even though they are only 2 blocks away. I have read many e-mails in the different groups I belong to about birds dieing because they didn't know about scented candles, avacodo(spelling?) not clipping their wings and leaving the bird out to fend for itself unattended. I'm sorry I just get so hurt and angry. Joan

[Monica]

Trinity, many people, as Edwards has said, simply do not research. When buying a fish, many people think it only needs some small container, with some large rocks in the bottom, and some food. When they buy cats, they expect to have a cuddly animal that only needs food and water... cat scratches up furniture, gets up on tables and counters causing havoc.

Same with dogs, they expect that they need a little training, food and water... What happens when the dog doesn't obey time after time again??? If they are not training the dog correctly the dog gets confused, and they may unknowning start abusing the dog for doing the wrong thing, then one day the dog turns around and bites them... what happens to the dog??? Either kill it or get rid of it.

Birds? Birds are dumb! All they need is a cage, seed, and some water and they'll be fine! Guess how many situations I've seen like this! Someone once got a budgie JUST BECAUSE I had one and thought it was so cool! Later on, his little sister got one, too because she couldn't keep her mouse (wrong enclosure's). All the birds perches were covered in sand paper. What did they get to eat??? Seed and seed only. The dishes were never cleaned though the cage ended up being cleaned by the girl (surprisingly), but that was only the paper on the bottom... Guess who ended up getting these birds?

Seriously though, there are many people who do not know what they are getting themselves into or what they are putting the animals lifes at, or risking their health. Many people just don't care, others are just ignorant, and others yet may be set in their ways, or may only follow the advice of what the petstores tell them and will refuse to hear of anything else.

In all honesty, I don't believe that the majority of people look up how to care for their pets or else there wouldn't be so many rescues and sanctuaries.

[Heaven]

I believe a lot of people treat their pets as possessions instead of family members. Something to show off. These people have no conscience when it comes to anyone or anything but themselves. They should never be allowed the companionship of any animal as, they do not deserve it much less appreciate it.

It is sad that pet stores and many breeders do not take the time to educate people. It is also sad that in this day and age where information is readily available at the click of a mouse, still people choose to be ignorant.

Sorry, I just do not understand how someone could not take into consideration the health and happiness of any animal they take responsibility for.

Ok end of my rant. :eusa_wall

[CACPioneer]

Edwards, thank you so much for being a teriffic breeder and educating your buyers and for also screening petstores before supplying them with birds.

I'm one of those people who was uneducated when I got my first budgie. My mother in law suggested that it would be a great pet for me and so took me to get one. The petstore guy did give me some good info (like to have different diameter perches and what size cage would be suitable and what kind of seed he recommended) but my mother in law was the one who gave me advice on how to handle and how to do thing. She was only down visiting for a very short while, so she could only help me to a certain extent. I had lots of questions and so I sought out information and happened across the Bird Talk forums and thank goodness I did! I learned all the basics and much more from the wonderful people there. I then bought books and read, read, read! It's a good thing (for my birds' sake) that I actually was willing to do research and to see if I was caring for my birds in the best way possible. As was earlier stated, not many people bother. I saw a lady go into the petshop where I frequent and she was choosing out a budgie. I asked her if it was her first one and she said it was her 4th. I started asking her questions, and I became so upset because it was apparent that she had NO idea how to properly care for budgies. The sad thing was, the petstore person helping her didn't even ask if this was her first bird or if she had any questions.

It is truely sad how terribly cared for many animals are. They don't ask for mistreatment..heck, they don't even ask to be pets! We, as humans, decided to take away their freedom and make them pets. The least we can do is make sure that their lives in captivity are as comfortable as possible.

[nursenurse44]

every bird owner started out as a new novice bird owner. and i think anyone buying a tiel from you is very lucky for they found a good breeder

[gator51]

I have been breeding birds for over 20 years and I have always given ,what my clients call,"the book" when they pick up there new baby,it includes all of the info stated in the first post and then some,ie numerous articles on nonstick cook ware and proper diet(those 2 issues i really try to push) EDWARDS should be congraulated for providing his clients with that kind of support and needless to say I am sure his breeding business is booming!,good job EDWARDS,unfortunately Pet Shops are run by alot,not all,people who just want to make a buck,and that hurts everyone in the long run,especially the pet

[sweetie&meli]

OK well let me start by saying tha ever petshop is that horrible ..i for one work for rolf hagen himself at nature pet center here in canada ..we have a very good reputation with our clients ..They leave our store (with or without a bird) feeling educated, happy , and sure that they can provide a happy and healthy life for there feathered child ..we make it our duty to make sure that no detail is left out including negative ones..our birds are our family . we love them and care for them deeply and make sure they go to a happy home ..and it makes us feel good knowing we did our job right when your client comes back to see you to show u the progress they have done with there bird ...

No matter the size of the bird from a finch to a parrot they wil always go to a good home with our good judgement ..as much as possible ..so please do not DIS all pet stores and breeders we are not all alike (thank god) :eusa_danc