Love at first site...

[parrotqueen]

Oh my gosh, I can't believe I'm saying this. I want another parrot. And badly. (read through the whole thing to get the point of the title)

I will first start off saying, NEVER go to Pratt's pet store! It has such poor management!


I went through the whole place, and after I got everything I needed, I just decided to look through the rest of the store's items and pets for sale. I went all the way through the store, and I was disgusted at how unhealthy their poultry was. A young black silkie hen had a beak deformity, as well as an overgrown beak. I'm suprised she wasn't dead yet, because of how difficult it must be for her to eat! All of the roosters were pecked clean of their feathers in certain places, and the turkeys were confined in tiny pens. I saw many sick parakeets and lovebirds, they even had a loose finch flying around the store (and they said that it didn't matter!!).

Angry, I was about to leave this filthy place, when I saw a parrot up front that caught my eye. I leaned over to look inside of his cage, and I was urther disgusted. The perch fell down and they didn't fix it yet, and the cage was tiny. He couldn't turn around and walk a couple of inches without bumping into the wall. I felt terrible that he wanted out so badly, so I asked the cashier if I could hold the little guy. She asked a man to take him out for me, and he did. He stuck both hands into the cage and grabbed the poor bird like you would a pet tortoise. He let me hold the bird, and I fell in love. At first, I thought this was a Mini Macaw; boy was I wrong. It was a Patagonian Conure! I was already making up names in my head for the little guy, he was so beautiful. As soon as I heard the price, I couldn't rescue him. I was not prepared to fork out $300 quite yet!

So, I decided that I could end up getting myself a Patagonian conure. I loved the temperament so much!

Could anyone tell me anything that would change my mind about that species?

 

[Spiritbird]

I think you better go back to the pet store and get that bird out of there. It is a rare conure in the USA and oh so beautiful. I have never heard of them until I looked them up. GREATER PATAGONIAN CONURE

Please let us know if you do go back. Thanks

 

[parrotqueen]

Holy--...wow. I didn't realize how rare they were! No wonder I identified him incorrectly.

He's so cute, but like I said... I 'm not ready to fork out 300 bucks at the moment. If I was; I'd take him in a heartbeat! Still learning more about the bird, will keep you all updated.

 

[HRH Di]

Is the situation bad enough that you need to contact an animal welfare organization? If the pets are being abused or neglected, they can rescue them and get them to good homes. You may even be able to foster the conure.

Okay, this my sound a little over the top, but...my company has something called the Family Fund. Each employee can donate money directly from their paycheck - as little as $1/check - but more if you wish. Employees can submit requests for financial assistance during times of crisis. We have a committee to review each request and validate it. Since we have several thousand employees all over the world, those $1 donations add up, plus each department has little fund raisers all year.

Anyway, wouldn't it be cool if we could do that here? Kind of like a virtual resue organization? Each member - voluntarily - donates what they can afford and with some member research and confirmation of the sitatuation, we could rescue birds in this situation.

I can't believe I'm even typing this since it would be such a hugh responsibility. Can you imagine? But with the internet, it would be possible...maybe when I win the lottery, I can set something like this up....

 

[Spiritbird]

Wonderful idea HRH.

 

[parrotqueen]

Such a great idea, HRH! I wouldn't mind donating a few dollars to save a bird at all.

Gosh, I want so badly to go back there and rescue him...

Although, I do wonder if I should tell someone... I can tell you guys the environment he was in and tell me what you think.

He was living in a small glass cage, that wasn't much bigger than he was. The workers say they never let him out. He does not know how to perch on your hand, so they just don't try. He had a perch, but it broke and was hanging straight down. He was left to scurry along the floor, yet nobody bothered to fix this. He had a high-quality seed mixture, but they weren't offering many vegetables. I didn't happen to see his water dish. They did manage to keep his cage clean though. He was terrified of a few certain people more than others, so I assume he's seen something that I haven't. The rest of the animals were poorly kept as well, and I can't believe they kept a chicken in the same pen as two gigantic male turkeys; that could get dangerous.

 

[antoinette]

Hi parrotqueen, shame that poor bird, what a way to live.
I had an experience with a pet shop previously, POST "Disgusting for a Pet Shop"
Browse through the post, perhaps it would give you an idea, as what steps to take.

Visited the pet shop today, I was absolutely amazed, they listened to me and learnt.
The birds are so happy and content, playing and chatting away.
Good luck

 

[Winston1Smith2]

Perhaps you could set up a special paypal account for the purchase of the bird. I would gladly contribute 5 or 10 dollars towards the purchase of the bird, if you were willing to care for it in a proper manner. I know that sounds cheap, (because it is) but I am making about 1/2 of what I was making a year ago and I have hardly any discretionary income. I do not understand why some big fund has to be established and administered. Why not establish one small fund for the purchase or rescue of a parrot on a case by case basis. There is a good chance that this system could be scammed by a person without any morals, but I think karma would come back and bite such a person very hard.

 

[parrotqueen]

Well WS, I greatly appreciate that you want to contribute to helping this bird; and believe me, I would take excellent care of him. There's only one problem. He's at a pretty mature age, and he still doesn't know how to perch or even socialize. I don't think that I can take so much responsibilty to train him while I'm so busy. I already have limited time, between the birds I already have and family-related stuff. Could my schedule afford to take in a 'problem child'? I'm not quite sure if I could make it work.

 

[parrotqueen]

Just curious, what size cage should a Patagonian conure have anyway?

 

[antoinette]

Well WS, I greatly appreciate that you want to contribute to helping this bird; and believe me, I would take excellent care of him. There's only one problem. He's at a pretty mature age, and he still doesn't know how to perch or even socialize. I don't think that I can take so much responsibilty to train him while I'm so busy. I already have limited time, between the birds I already have and family-related stuff. Could my schedule afford to take in a 'problem child'? I'm not quite sure if I could make it work.

parrotqueen, I salute you again.......
Wanting to help another bird.
Glad you are looking into the situation carefully.
Keep in mind, if you do take in the bird, he will need lots of love and attention, as any new bird would.
Your other birds, might feed neglected and jealous. Would less time be spent with them?
Loads to think about.....
Let us know what you decide.

 

[Mel]

I don't mean to sound negative here but my first parrot I purchased from filthy conditions. I just wanted to get him out of there. He was never 100% healthy and although I loved my time with him it was very hard emotionally and financially. I'm glad I took him home because I don't know if he would have gotten the same care somewhere else but I became obsessive watching his every move to make sure he was OK and it did take it's toll on me and the family.
I think my problem was I went in a little naive and had dreams of how it would work out but unfortunately it didn't. I think if you go in with open eyes you can be alot more prepared.
Saying all that it doesn't mean you would have the same experience. I believe nothing happens by chance and there is a reason this bird is playing on your mind so much. If you don't buy him then definately report the store - read Antoinette's brilliant storey.

 

[parrotqueen]

Thank you for the response! Yeah, as much as I want to take him home...it could interfere with my own life. As selfish as that may sound, at least I can report the store. That way I can feel that I helped in some way.

 

[Winston1Smith2]

I do not think you are being selfish by considering what will happen with your own life if you adopted the bird. That is a factor that must be taken into consideration. A person, unless independently wealthy must go to work, must live someplace, and must have some time that they can spend on other activities they value. You would be doing the bird no favor if you did not consider what effect the bird had on your own life.

Although I think I should have done more research before buying Cracker, I did take into account how Cracker would effect my life. My first choice for a parrot was a Sun Conure but I had to rule a Sun Conure out. I live in a one bedroom apartment, and I cannot afford to be evicted because of a noisy bird. I also work 40 hours a week, and I needed a bird that would not mind being alone for 8 to 10 hours a day while I am at work. I also wanted a bird that would not bust my budget, or require a large investment in a cage. All these considerations narrowed my choice of birds. I finally got a Green Cheek Conure because I read that they got a big parrot personality in small package and they are not big noise makers. So far, except for the problem I am having with him biting me, I think things have worked out pretty well for both of us. However, if I did not take into consideration what effect owning a particular parrot would have on my life, I think my experience with owning a parrot would have been a complete disaster for both me and the bird. I think in taking into consideration what impact owning another parrot will have on your own life you are also taking into consideration the welfare of the bird.

 

[parrotqueen]

Thanks WS, for making me feel better. After all, I may not take in this little guy. Having a bird with so many problems is not something I can handle at the moment...

...But I know for a act that I'm going to get a parrot of some sort later in life!

Parrots are like potato chips, you can't have just one!

 

[HRH Di]

WS made some good points. It really isn't selfish if you aren't sure that you could give this little guy the kind of attention he's going to need - and even if it is, who's business is it but yours?

 

[Mel]

As selfish as that may sound, at least I can report the store. That way I can feel that I helped in some way.

I agree with WS & HRH, you're being realistic not selfish. I think it's fantastic that so many ppl here are keeping watch of pet shops and letting them know their "merchandise" need to be cared for properly.

I have a real issue with selling animals from pet stores. I don't know how it is around the world but in Australia the majority are out just to make profit and rely on the impulse buy. They sell over-priced animals who have had little or no soci-alisation to customers who have done little or no research. Many unfortunately end up miserable, neglected or in shelters.

I think it would be great to see pet shops only sell pet products - I'll only support stores who do. I hope I have not offended anyone here who works in a pet store, I'm sure they're not all bad. I'm just talking about the majority here.

 

[Ecclipse]

If you go through all my threads you will see how heart breaking it can be to buy a parrot that has been kept in conditions that affect his health. I would never trade Hugo for the world but a year later Im still struggling to get rid of his virus. It has cost me thousands with nebulising and antibiotics, petrol etc. I have to disinfect daily, watch what he eats, check for everything all the time - when I lift his blanket in the morning I thank God he is still with me. Its a huge job and the chances of me being able to get another bird in the future is slim unless we can figure out why he is sneezing all the time. He has flourished and is a happy, chatty bird. I love Hugo very much and have done everything possible to make the petshop aware that their shop is an environment riddled with disease. In other countries you have more organised animal centres and rescue teams - report the shop ASAP and do not relent on it. My life revolves around keeping my parrot from getting worse....on saying that though, I do not regret taking Hugo, he brings me love and happiness. I do not only own a parrot, I own a patient who needs medical attention daily. He has just come off his 4th antibiotic in the last 5 months....the time it takes to care for him is the same as any healthy parrot bar the added extras but the worry and frustration can be a burden I would never wish on any parrot owner.

The most amazing thing about Hugo is that its like he understands Im trying to help him and looks at me with affection and love, he drinks his antibiotic, eats whatever I give him and forgives me everytime he has to be injected and placed in his traveling box - parrots have more forgiveness and understanding than we ever will. If you decide to take the lil fellow, you will be saving him from a home that might not understand his needs but at the same time you might learn to resent the situation due to the frustration and hole burnt in your pocket - for weeks I was so angry, hurt and frustrated but I realised that with the help of this forum and the support I got we could get through anything - and we did! I understand from personal experience why you would choose not to take the parrot.

 

[parrotqueen]

You all are so supportive, so sweet. Thank you.

I will see what I can do as far as reporting the shop.