bird hoarding

[slim]

Dozens of exotic birds taken from Weatherford home

09:40 PM CST on Wednesday, January 14, 2009

By JIM DOUGLAS / WFAA-TV


BIRDS CONFISCATED January 14th, 2009Jim Douglas reports More WFAA Latest News video
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EXCLUSIVE:

Animal cruelty officers have called a recent case in Weatherford one of the strangest cases of hording they have ever seen.

Perhaps 100 or more parrots, macaws and cockatoos were found jammed inside a tiny Weatherford house.

""Oh, no human or animal should live like that," said Dianne Daniel, an animal shelter supervisor.

Authorities said the couple who live at the home took in unwanted birds until the situation got too unhealthy for everyone.

"It's cruel to keep animals in that filth," Daniel said. "You can't do that. Some of the cages look like they've never been cleaned."

The birds could be heard whistling, squawking and screaming as officers worked to remove them from the home.

Officers said birds worth $1,500 to $3,000 were found inside the home. One

"They're 15 hundred to 3000 each. These are in pretty good shape right here."

One Yellow-headed Amazon parrot was whistling and saying "hello" and "momma, momma" as it sat in a cage after being taken from the home.

While officers said some of the animals appeared in good condition, they said others looked sickly and in need of attention.

Authorities called it a classic case of animal hording.

"They think they're doing them a favor by rescuing them and holding onto them," Daniel said. "It's not. You get overwhelmed."

The homeowners declined to talk with News 8. A judge will decide if the birds stay in custody until they can be adopted out.

[Beck]

That's so sad. I wonder if the couple passed themselves off as a rescue in order to collect that many birds.

[mundyzoo]

I was once friends with a hoarder, she was not a hoarder when we met but turned into one. She thought she was doing good. Very sad!

[amanda143]

I called the Weatherford animal shelter today. It's not very far from me. They said they can't do anything with the birds until they go to court. They are taking donations by the way. They said that they have never had to deal with this many birds before.

That is one thing that we have had to learn about "rescuing" birds. It gets to the point where you have to tell yourself that you can't keep them. Finding good homes, fosters or real rescue organizations, is what you ultimately have to do. You are not rescuing these birds for your benefit, but that of the bird. If you are of the mindset that these are all "pets" then you can very well turn into a hoarder. You really have to set limits.

[vball1320]

Dude that's crazy, I live there! Does anyone know where in Weatherford this house was?

[slim]

he go by bird guy on craglist.

[amanda143]

There are several "bird guys" on craigslist. I have met one from dallas and he and his wife are great people.

[amanda143]

Here is a link with a picture if anyone is interested.

Weatherford Democrat - Polly wanta home?

[magdalena]

Geez I hope that isn't going to be me in 10 years. I rescue abandoned kittens in the summer and know how hard it is to rehome them if you grow attached (which happens if you are bottle feeding from day 3 or 4). I've had to slap myself a few times and just let go (and slap my boyfriend a few times too). I can just imagine building bigger and bigger additions to our house for aviaries. Still I think I'm smart enough not to take in more than I can financially handle and put the birds' welfare first. Having just the second parrot has taught me that time dwindles exponentially compared to having just one. 100 birds...I can't even imagine. Heck I can't even imagine 5.

[expressmailtome]

At least the birds will be getting goods homes.

Matt