A suffering maximillion

[kablammy]

I hope someone can give me advice. I made the mistake of stopping into Petland on Lee Rd. in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. In the store they have a beautiful Maximillion Pionus parrot. He's been in a tiny cage with dirty water for over a year. His feathers don't look good, he's overweight and is visibly miserable. I held him for awhile, he's obviously a very intelligent and gentle creature -- it just tears me apart! They have no record of his hatch date or age, and no vet records. No papers at all. They were originally selling the bird as a "Complete Parrot Starter Kit", with cage, food, etc... included in the $2000 price. They have since reduced the price by $500.

The clerk said they had another parrot in the back -- a blue crown conure -- off the floor because he was plucking out all his feathers.

Is there anyway to rescue this/these birds? Even if just one -- they are suffering so much. The Humane Society? A parrot rescue?

Is there anything I can do? My heart just wants to take in this beautiful bird and nurse it back to health. But there is no way I would ever give any money to Petland.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[expressmailtome]

The only thing that I could think of would be to find someone that would love the bird and have that person tell the manager that they know the store has had the bird for some time and thus offer a lower price. They may just want to get rid of the bird and take the offer. I don't think that the Humane Society can do anything unless the bird is being abused. In some states they could fine the store if there is no food or water. Not sure of any other ideas. Sorry. Hope this helps.

Matt

[nke3995]

Suggestions:

I would go back to this Petland and ask to speak to the manager. Tell him what you've observed about his store's neglect of the Maxi (BTW, I happen to own one -- or vice versa) and that you expect him at least to get the bird into a proper cage and make certain it has good food, fresh water and toys OR that he should reduce the bird's price substantially or simply give it away. I'd add that if he doesn't agree to do that, you will be contacting the Better Business Bureau, the Humane Society, the State's Attorney General Office, AND local media. (Doesn't matter if the Attorney General Office or Humane Society don't follow up; tell him you'll do it anyway -- and then do it.) Use of the local media probably is the best and quickest way to get action, unless the manager agrees to IMMEDIATELY clean up his act and, more to the point, his birds' cages!

Also inform him that you will post his store's location and document his abuse on this site and many others,alerting potential buyers to his terrible treatment of creatures in his care. In brief, make it clear that you will NOT let this matter go until he/she rectifies the situation. Tell him the latter includes you AND OTHERS periodically stopping by that store to monitor his practices.

As an aside, Petland has been linked to puppy mills and other practices that are abhorrent to all animal lovers or, for that matter, anyone with any sense of compassion.

I live in North Olmsted, Ohio, and would be happy to assist you in getting the situation turned around. Please post your e-mail address and I'll contact you directly OR, if you'd rather not give me your primary e-mail address, set up one under a different name altogether and post that one. Again, I am willing to assist you in this effort, including making that initial contact with the manager with you.

Thanks,
NKE

[gnome]

I think that should be done with most stores that are like that. I cant stand to see birds in the care of people who don't understand them.

[ebruder]

Originally Posted by nke3995

Suggestions:

I would go back to this Petland and ask to speak to the manager. Tell him what you've observed about his store's neglect of the Maxi (BTW, I happen to own one -- or vice versa) and that you expect him at least to get the bird into a proper cage and make certain it has good food, fresh water and toys OR that he should reduce the bird's price substantially or simply give it away. I'd add that if he doesn't agree to do that, you will be contacting the Better Business Bureau, the Humane Society, the State's Attorney General Office, AND local media. (Doesn't matter if the Attorney General Office or Humane Society don't follow up; tell him you'll do it anyway -- and then do it.) Use of the local media probably is the best and quickest way to get action, unless the manager agrees to IMMEDIATELY clean up his act and, more to the point, his birds' cages!

Also inform him that you will post his store's location and document his abuse on this site and many others,alerting potential buyers to his terrible treatment of creatures in his care. In brief, make it clear that you will NOT let this matter go until he/she rectifies the situation. Tell him the latter includes you AND OTHERS periodically stopping by that store to monitor his practices.

As an aside, Petland has been linked to puppy mills and other practices that are abhorrent to all animal lovers or, for that matter, anyone with any sense of compassion.

I live in North Olmsted, Ohio, and would be happy to assist you in getting the situation turned around. Please post your e-mail address and I'll contact you directly OR, if you'd rather not give me your primary e-mail address, set up one under a different name altogether and post that one. Again, I am willing to assist you in this effort, including making that initial contact with the manager with you.

Thanks,
NKE

I am also in the Cleveland area, but that makes little difference. I strongly disagree with threatening the manager. I have been in business for quite a few years (nothing related to birds), and nothing will stiffen my back more than a threat. If there is a legitimate complaint or problem, we will face it head on and hope to resolve it quickly, BUT a threat will do the opposite.

The manager probably has very little authority, but he/she is a good starting point. Just explain what you have observed, and offer a solution, not a challenge. You have a better chance of success with providing an answer to the problem than just being an irate consumer/bird lover.

Good luck.

BTW, Pet Paradise in Willoughy does a great job with their birds.

EB

[Scooter]

Hi guys - just bumping this back up and wondering what became of this issue. Does anyone know what happened to the bird? What a rediculous price - I hope that he found a home so he could get out of that store.