have you heard of the "parrot place"????

[cbalvino]

Hi all went to a bird show in NY picked up a brochure from Diane's parrot place of Conn. The brochure was unbelievable!!!! the reasons to own a parrot were as follows: parrots relieve stress,they are loving and affectionate,they are family pets,they are easy to care for,they have long lifespans,they can enhance in value,most will talk,they are true companion pets. This is apparently a "national organization,you can even "special order a bird and save money! OMG what are these people thinking!!!Vicki Pierce claims to be the president or what ever how can anyone who knows birds make such stupid claims!!!

[rockybird]

That is unbelievable! Enhance in value? what the heck? family pets? and long lifespans is a disadvantage as many will outlive their owners. What kind of people are these? Is there nothing about commitment, expense, mess, noise and biting?

[kellywess]

This is why so MANY birds end up in rescues... due to lack of PROPER knowledge. Ignorance creates neglect and abuse. Pet stores will sell you anything. They will sell a first time bird owner a Cockatoo for goodness sake and they will only tell you the good... never the bad and especially not the worse. It is a sad thing. They dont tell you that living with parrots is a "life-changing" experience. You have to change the way you cook, the way you clean and so much more.

[Ashling]

Sorry if I repeat what anyone said, but they didn't mention when you're down on your hands and knees, scrubbing bird sh*t did they? Or when you have to clean the curtains, the floor, your own clothes and your dog? The molted feathers, dust, seed husks needing to be vaccumed each day? Or when you have a migraine and are trying to rest, but there's this constant screaming? Or when you get bitten suddenly, for no obvious reason, and have a bloody finger? Or how much veterinary care costs? Or that you can't go on holidays for more than a few days? Or the need for toys and mental stimulation? Or the food bill? Health requirements? Specialised diets? The need to tame, train and socialise? The decision to clip or not? Clipping nails, beaks, medical issues, diseases and health? And that's just the tip of the iceburg...

[kellywess]

But you know what?...........You wouldnt trade them for anything in the whole world would 'ya? I didnt think so, neither would I. LOL

[birdsnreps]

they never enhance in value....if anything, as they get older, they get alot cheaper should you try to sell them. they usually arent family pets either....and sometimes they can cause more stress than they can relieve....what a crock...

[greencinacheeks]

no way would they grow in value!

thats stupid!!!

~N

[rockybird]

LOL! They are basically money pits! They are small ungrateful children that never grow up and will forever be dependent! We need to start a counter pamphlet to discourage/educate the ignorant prospective pet owner.

Vet bills, toys, cages...not to mention the damage to the laptops, the car (yes the car!), holes in my favorite shirts, the wires on my $400 bike light, the ER bill...

But you are absolutely right kellyweiss. I dont think any of us would ever give up our birds unless it was to a better home and out of necessity.

[AAX]

I have gone thru their website.It is part of webring that has a lot of good material
and information.
Give it a try. Anton V.

[Ashling]

Kelly, of course I couldn't live without my Ashywashy. She just learnt a new word: "Ash" :D
"Enhance in value" I think they mean, if a bird has been taught to talk. behave and do tricks really well- they can be worth alot. But certainly not in general.
ps. I was just on my hands and knees scrubbing today's poop off the bars, being constantly pestered by someone wanting the scrubber... :)