Macaw in bad condition...what do i say?

[Kinny]

Hi guys! Not sure if this post goes in this Macaws section or not... but...

There are 2 Pet Stores in my suburb, the good one 'Dempseys' and the bad one 'Pets on Eyre' (let's call it POE).

They have a Blue and Gold Macaw there which they do not own, however the Macaws owner has agreed to keep him there because POE's emblem is a Blue and Gold Macaw, and they like having one in the store as the Store-bird.

He is supposed to be 26 or 27 years old, but is so unhealthy!
That nice metallic-ish cyan shine that BG Macaws typically have, does not exist on this bird. All his feathers are extremely dull in colour, his beak is too long and far too sharp, and he has become a bit of a plucker. He has also become very aggressive in the last year (so aggressive that when my neighbour moved closer to him, which I've always been able to do, he lunged out and managed to get her arm, which bled, but not much so she left it).

You'd think a Pet Store would take better care of their Emblem bird! I was even told by one of the staff when i saw the bird a year ago, that he looked so bad because he was moulting and he's old.

I asked how old he was, they said 25 (or 26). THAT'S NOT OLD!

When my neighbour and I walked into POE a couple of days ago (because i wanted to check on the Macaw), she gasped and said," Oh my gosh he is really unwell!!!"...she doesn't even own birds! But a friend of hers has 2 Blue and Gold Macaws so she knows what they look like when they are healthy.

I want to report this to the RSPCA here, but i don't know if i should try talking to the staff first. My husband thinks he might have a medical condition...so he doesn't want me reporting it to RSPCA just yet.. (Found out i don't need to know who owns the Macaw)

My question is, what do i say to the staff at POE when I call?

 

[Kinny]

Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[JerseyWendy]

My question is, what do i say to the staff at POE when I call?

I'd tell them EXACTLY what you told us here.

 

[Dopey]

They need to know. You are concerned for the bird.

 

[Anansi]

What Wendy said. I've often come across similar situations in fish stores where I see that there is an outbreak of some kind of contagious disease in a tank or two. Sometimes, the people there don't even know what signs to look for... and far more often they simply don't care.

I always make sure to tell the store managers what I've noticed in the hopes that they'll do something about it. Heck, I've even gone so far as to prescribe the necessary treatment. But be forewarned, the response 95% of the time is a glazed over look and an obligatory nod and thanks before completely ignoring your observation and moving on with their day. After all, let's face it. They have eyes, too. If they haven't seen fit to check into it, there's only a small chance that your words will push them to do so.

But for the sake of that small chance, I say give it a shot, Liana.

 

[Kinny]

Thank you! I talked to the Store Owner, but he had a HUGE ego and refused to listen to anything i said, i didn't even get around to telling him that the Macaw was becoming very aggressive, and it's only a matter of time before a child goes, "Oooh pretty birdie!" and gets too close, and gets their fingers literally bitten off.

He kept saying with such a 'I'm better than you' tone, "He's fine. He's been here for 15-16 years and he was seen by a Vet once. He's fine."

I asked what food he was being fed, and he replied with, "......*a long pause*......he's fine. Thank you." *rageface*

SO I called the RSPCA and they are sending out inspectors to have a look.
Apparently I have to call the council regarding the aggressiveness...he should at least have a sign up saying, "CAUTION: Bird bites".

 

[Ltygress]

Glad to hear you called them, actually. It's sad that pet store owners and managers overlook these problems. It's worse that anyone is allowed to sell ANY ANIMAL without being properly educated on their care. These are lives we're talking about. The one selling them NEEDS to be an expert in their care. It's not like a dumb bimbo working at a hardware store, where she hasn't got a clue. Wrenches and plumbing accessories aren't going to die because the employees are stupid.

Animals do!

I would also suggest calling your state's Department of Agriculture. Georgia actually requires a license for absolutely anyone that buys, sells, or trades animals - including dog and cat breeders! But more importantly, they oversee proper care for those selling the animals. Just to get a license, you have to show proper housing, adequate food and water, and clean environment for the animals. Dealers also have to take down personal information of anyone who purchases a living animal from them, or specific details about how the animal left the facility, such as date and cause of death, license numbers of any rescues the animals were turned over to, etc. And if any disease break-out comes from that facility, they'll be shut down until it is contained.

So if your state Agricultural Department works like Georgia's, they'll have a LOT to do with that bird being so sick. And if it's sick, they'll probably shut them down.

 

[miloslave]

I would love to know th outcome, if the RSPCA took action? Please keep us updated?