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| istock.com |
Adopting a pet bird can make a world
of difference—and a new best friend! |
When it comes to finding new pet parents for homeless animals, dogs and cats aren't the only critters in need. Pet birds—like rabbits, guinea pigs, and so many other pets—are facing an overpopulation crisis.
Because too many people are choosing to purchase the bird they bring into their homes, instead of adopt one, animal shelters and avian rescue groups are overflowing with birds in need of new guardians. Intelligent, social, and personable, pet birds deserve permanent, loving homes, just like cats and dogs. The HSUS recommends adopting a bird in need of a home rather than purchasing one.
Troubling Origins
One of the reasons adoption is better than purchasing a bird is that so many birds are born at massive-scale bird mills. These factory-farm-like facilties breed huge numbers of birds in shockingly inhumane conditions, for retail sale. A large majority of birds sold in pet stores come from bird mills. Although birds are flock animals—thriving on the companionship of others—birds raised in bird mills are routinely denied the opportunity to engage in their natural socialization behaviors. Many chicks never even see their parents.
| Rabbits at PetSmart |
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PetSmart has come under scrutiny recently because of its decision to start selling rabbits in select stores. Like adopting a bird—or any other pet—bringing a rabbit into your home is a decision that should be taken very seriously.
Rabbits are one of the most commonly relinquished animals, largely because the ability to provide life-long care was not considered when the rabbit was originally brought into the caregiver’s home. The HSUS hopes that PetSmart will expand its revolutionary bird adoption program to other locations, affording the same compassion toward rabbits. |
Plucked from Home
Some pet stores also acquire and sell wild-caught birds that have been illegally imported into the country. Millions of birds are caught every year for the pet trade and sold all over the U.S. and worldwide, in pet stores or online.
The commercial trade in wild animals is a multi-billion dollar business that threatens the survival of many different species and results in the inhumane treatment of billions of animals every year. For a wild bird, capture is extremely traumatic, and the vast majority of the birds caught do not survive being smuggled to their destination.
Soaring Solutions
The best way to reduce the suffering of these birds is to stem support for their sale in stores, where they wind up all too often. Potential pet bird parents have the opportunity to make a difference when selecting a new feathered friend, simply by choosing to adopt rather than to purchase.
A number of organizations exist to connect potential pet bird parents with their future feathered friends. They also work in the community to make strides against the overpopulation and irresponsible breeding of pet birds. The Midwest Avian Adoption & Rescue Services (MAARS), for example, is Minnesota's largest bird shelter, adoption and education organization.
Something to Sing About
Recently, MAARS celebrated a unique partnership with the St. Louis Park PetSmart. The PetSmart location has discontinued the sale of birds and instead has opted to donate 90 square feet of retail space to MAARS for the operation of an adoption program for homeless birds. The MAARS-PetSmart partnership aims to encourage potential pet parents to adopt a bird instead of purchasing one.
"We are pleased PetSmart is taking a leadership role in addressing the needs of displaced captive birds who have been relinquished or abandoned and deserve loving homes capable of the commitment that living with a bird requires," said Eileen McCarthy, CEO of MAARS.
Ready to Fly?
If you are considering adding a bird to your family, be sure you do your homework first.
Choosing the right bird is very important, as there are many different species of birds whose needs and lifespan can vary greatly. It's also important to make sure you understand everything that will go into
caring for your pet bird before you adopt—birds can make wonderful companions but are different than dogs and cats. Once you’re ready to bring a new feathered friend home, visit
www.Pets911.com to locate birds available for adoption in your area.
