Skip navigation

 Login or Register | Member Centre

Polly wants a home

CINDA CHAVICH

From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 10:48 PM EDT 31/07/07

That talking parrot may seem like a good idea at the store, but these high-maintenance pets are increasingly being abandoned ...Read the full article

This conversation is closed

  1. James Bannister from Toronto, Canada writes: I recommend the Norwegian Blue... beautiful plumage.
  2. Paul Jones from Kitchener, Canada writes: just another reason why wild animals shouldnt be made 'pets'. if its not a domestic animal, you shouldnt be legally allowed to own it.
  3. Barbara Lamble from Canada writes: Yeah, James. The plumage don't enter into it. It's stone dead.
  4. Barbara Lamble from Canada writes: Seriously, though.....

    Anyone who wants to buy a parrot should goto this website first.... they seem like they are a bit extreme, but I've kept large parrots, and they are not exagerating about how difficult they are to care for. Messy, noisy biting creatures. Lovely to look at but should stay in the wild.

    www.mytoos.com
  5. Beth Woolnough from Canada writes: I've got a parrot but no children. We researched it thoroughly and have had a happy & healthy African Grey for 10 years now. He is never caged and he has run of the house. We built him a tree to play in, he has his cage which he goes in on his own. They are not pets but flock members. Yes, they are messy and noisy but we love him like a child. However, they are not for everyone and if you really want one - take your time to research, don't purchase one if you are over 40 (I will be in my eighties when mine reaches the end of his lifespan) and purchase from a reputable breeder rather then a pet store. I am lucky because my spouse is at home most of the day.
  6. Barbara Lamble from Canada writes: I think it is rare breed of human that is capable of providing the kind of care that a large parrot requires. Kudos to Beth for being able to have the foresight to know that she's in it for the long run as a member of a flock, and not the owner of a pet.

    I do disagree with the term "reputable breeder". These wild animals are literally overflowing in rescues and are being euthanized daily. It is not responsible for anyone to knowingly breed more birds into a life of captivity. These animal are wild. You wouldn't consider a tiger breeder who sold cubs to the public to be responsible. Its pretty much the same thing.

    There are lots of perfectly good and healthy birds that are available for adoption. Most rescues have mandatory training sessions for prospective families and require that you spend a certain number of hours volunteering at a rescue facility. That way you know what you're getting into before you shell out a few hundred dollars on a bird that might hate you.
  7. Grant Corriveau from Canada writes: I also take issue with the term "reputable breeder." I've never yet met a breeder who doesn't claim to have placed all his/her birds with "very good homes." Yet these birds often end up at a refuge or worse in just a few years.

    In the wild a cockatoo chick spends 10 to 12 months living with its parents learning how to be a bird. In captivity, chicks are removed from the nest at just a few weeks old and then spoon-fed on hard food before they should be. By the time they arrive at a pet store these little birds are emotionally damaged and very "needy." Which of course makes them a better commodity - who could resist a fluffy little bird that throws itself into your arms looking for attention and security.

    But once at home, reality sets in and the bird must be left alone - people work and life goes on. This is often when the problems begin. At this point a large percentage of cockatoos begin screaming, feather picking and self-mutilating. Being alone for these animals is roughly equivalent to solitary confinement for a human being. One of the worst forms of punishment.

    If you 'must' have a bird, then rescue one from the pet-go-round, and give it a stable home for the rest of its life (50 years usually!). And be prepared to pay the necessary vet bills, and other associated costs. (Now there's something the pet store or breeders never think to mention....).

    Thanks!
  8. jean janes from Canada writes: One wonders if arranging adoption by families in the birds homeland wouldn't be worth the time and effort and send them by AIR CANADA!

Comments are closed

Thanks for your interest in commenting on this article, however we are no longer accepting submissions. If you would like, you may send a letter to the editor.

Report an abusive comment to our editorial staff

close

Alert us about this comment

Please let us know if this reader’s comment breaks the editor's rules and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.

Do not use this to complain about comments that don’t break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.

Back to top