Robert’s Pet Shop - Stress Hell..

[Aerski]

I recently wanted to take on the responsibility of a Moluccan Cockatoo, as I volunteer at a local rescue center, and decided this troublemaker was the right bird for me, so I started going to my local aviaries.. I went to a place called Robert’s Pet Shop, a pet store in a flea market that I had bought a bearded dragon from years back. The place was actual hell, the spaces were so cramped that people were shoving each other to see the birds! We saw one Moluccan there that was plucking out his/her feathers, and it’s whole chest was bare. It would let people pet it but then would turn and try to bite them. Someone bought it for $800, hopefully that bird went to a good owner that doesn’t cramp it up in a small cage like Robert’s was! The noise from all the animals was so loud, you could barely hear anyone talking. Then we came upon another Moluccan ‘Too, it was so aggressive that if you put your hand in front of the cage, it would run to your hand and try to bite it. The kids looking at the birds were scaring them and sticking sticks in their cages.. no wonder they’re stressed! They barely clean the cages of the feces, and the water bottles are those bottles where they have to put their mouth on a metal tube to get water, and the ‘water bottle’ was a wine bottle.. They also sold Koi and many other animals in such small containers/cages.. Not to mention, I saw many dead birds there! I hope those birds were okay, I wish I could have bought the other one, but he was $1500, and way too aggressive for me to have time to train. The Staff there gave me mixed ages, and said they were eight, and then twenty? They had me running over the store so many times looking for the man in charge of the birds, which is one man vs about 300 birds! I’m not sure what I expected from a flea market..

 

[noodles123]

Goodness..that is awful...
Cockatoos are harder than a kid...FYI....
BUT..THAT IS SICK AND SAD..
Thanks for posting

 

[texsize]

Sounds like a good place...… to stay away from.

 

[Scott]

Cockatoos are wonderful companions, but require a tremendous amount of dedication and patience. I would urge you to learn more about the varied species before adoption.

Robert's sounds awful based on your description and on-line reviews. Sadly, every animal in their custody deserves a great home.

 

[EllenD]

I would not ever consider taking home any bird from that place, or any other place like that, as I guarantee you that all of the birds have some type of infections, if not serious Avian Viral diseases, as well as parasitic infestations such as feather-mites, and they are just passing them all around to each other. It's extremely sad and I know the desire to want to help and save just one bird from a place like that, but you are then putting your Green Cheek Conure at home at risk for anything and everything, even lethal/fatal Avian illnesses such as Borna Virus, Polyoma, and even PBFD. So you can't put your current bird at risk....I really can't believe that a place like that is allowed to exist in Florida (I'm assuming that's where it is since you live there). Most US States have much more stringent laws regarding the number of birds/animals that can be in one place, about cleanliness, etc. Even Flea Markets have to go through inspections by the state Health Department if they sell animals...It might be a good idea for you to contact the Florida State Health Department and find out what agency in your area/state is responsible for inspecting pet shops and then report this place, because this will force them to clean the place up and meet all of the standards that they have to, or they will face being closed-down or not being allowed to sell any live animals any longer...

****As far as the Moluccan Cockatoo goes, it doesn't sound to me like you have any idea at all what it's like owning one or being responsible for one. There are more Moluccan and Umbrella Cockatoos in Rescues and Shelters and up for Re-homing on Craigslist than all other parrot species combined, and there is a very good reason for this. People who are usually very well-meaning and who have a little bit of parrot experience with Conures or Amazons, or even maybe an African Grey or a Macaw decide that they want to bring home a larger parrot that is more cuddly, or more interactive, smarter, etc., so they either spend a small fortune and buy a young baby from a breeder for $3K or more, or they go onto Craigslist or to a Rescue and find one and adopt it...And they quickly realize why it has had many, many owners in it's short life, and why it's plucking...

The larger Cockatoos (Moluccans, Umbrellas, Sulphers, Citrons, etc.) are ALL extremely intelligent, like the intelligence of a 5 year-old human toddler, and what goes along with that is requiring the exact same care and attention as a 5 year-old human toddler requires, no joke. If they are not given that type of attention, interaction, and mental stimulation every single day of their lives, all day long, they become extremely neurotic, they quickly become horribly bored, and that's why probably 80% or more of them that you see in Rescues and that are up for re-homing are pluckers and/or self-mutilators, to the point that many of them (a good number of them) actually chew holes into their flesh.

It's extremely difficult to successfully own one of the larger Cockatoos if you work a job and aren't home 24/7...Think of how people deal with working and having young children. Until the kids are old enough to go to pre-school/kindergarten, they must put their young kids into daycare if one parent isn't a stay-at-home parent, or they don't have a relative that is home all the time and able to watch them while they work. And then eventually their children are old enough that they are at school all day long, and then at 3:00 p.m. they have to make arrangements for their kids to go somewhere and be watched by someone until they get home from work, unless they are lucky enough to be able to have one parent stay home all day long...Well that is pretty much the exact same situation you are putting yourself into if you bring home a Moluccan Cockatoo. You cannot work an 8-hour day and leave a Moluccan inside their cage for those 8 hours, because if you do, you're going to quickly have a very neurotic, self-mutilating parrot. They need constant care and attention, they must be constantly occupied and stimulated mentally with something, or they get bored and upset, and then the screaming starts (which if you have close neighbors you'll have an issue for sure)...and then the plucking starts.

And even if you don't work and you or your spouse or another family member is home all day long every day, they must be prepared to pretty much dedicate most of their lives to the Moluccan. I know someone who has had a male Moluccan for the last 11 years, and since he brought him home at the age of 3, 11 years ago, he has not taken even a long-weekend vacation. He is not married so he is solely responsible for the Moluccan, and he would be happy to tell you that 99% of his life is caring for and being with his bird, and the other 1% is when he's at work. He gets up every morning at 5:00 a.m. so that he can spend a couple of hours with him, making his breakfast for him each morning and then spending the other hour comforting him so he'll go into his cage so he can go to work...And then he has the luxury of working close to his house and being able to come home at noon for an hour, which he does every single day, so that he can let him out of his cage for an hour. Then he has to again comfort him so he'll go back into his cage, because the bird is smart enough that he knows that he's going back to work, and he fights it every single day...Then he comes home at 5 each night from work, and the entire rest of his day/evening is spend playing with the bird, cooking dinner for the bird, reading stories to the bird, talking to the bird, taking the bird outside in his buggy for a walk (he won't wear a harness), and putting the bird to bed. And that's his Monday-Friday for the last 11 years...And his entire Saturday and Sunday are spend with the bird, from the moment he wakes up at sunrise (when the bird wakes up) until the bird goes to bed. The only time he gets to himself to do anything, even just watch TV or read a book, is for an hour or two after the bird goes to bed and before he goes to bed. And in the last 11 years the only "outings" that he's had were 3 or 4 concerts he has gone to close to his home, and the only reason he was able to go to them was because his parents are able to come over to his house and babysit the Moluccan for a few hours while he goes to a concert. That's right, he has to get a babysitter for the Moluccan if he wants to go out for an evening. So he hardly ever goes out, even for dinner...He's in his 30's and has not dated anyone in the last 11 years, both because of having to have a babysitter for the bird, and more because whomever he starts dating is going to have to be the most understanding, bird-loving person in the world to be okay with just staying home every single night of their lives, and only in his house...And chances are that the Moluccan isn't going to be nice to anyone that he would date, because he'll probably be jealous as all-hell and could very likely be violent and try to hurt the person...So again, he just hasn't bothered...

Now you might think that this guy is out of his mind and that it's unnecessary for him to dedicate 99% of his life to the Moluccan...Well, all I can tell you about that is that his Moluccan Cockatoo is the ONLY Moluccan Cockatoo I've ever seen in-person that isn't a plucker at all, he's the most gorgeous, healthiest Moluccan Cockatoo I've ever seen by-far, not a feather out of place, shiny, healthy, and happy. So you be the judge of whether the way he lives is necessary to raise a healthy, happy Moluccan Cockatoo, because I guarantee you won't find too many, or any if you're looking in Rescues/shelters or on Craigslist for re-homing, that aren't plucked and/or mutilators, as well as horribly neurotic and aggressive...

 

[rangerktc1]

Just read their Yelp reviews-YIKES!!

 

[Aerski]

Thank you, EllenD for the useful information. I do work from home and am here pretty much 24/7, and we thankfully do not live in an apartment [so no noise complaints, i think!] I am thinking of adopting one from a rescue shelther. And yes, they are very dusty birds, but i do have no allergies. We have a big cage full of toys and Harrison’s Coarse food, plus fruits like Kiwi, Mango, Peach, etc.. which is what we feed our green cheek conure as well. I do look forward to spending time with the Too and playing with him. I do realize there are some bad days that Toos can have, and I am prepared for that.. well, to have a two year old for the rest of my life. I volunteer at my rescue center on Fridays and Sundays, and they have lovely Umbrellas there, and a Moluccan. I’m not going to share all I know about Toos because this might take a while, but you get the hint. One of the Umbrellas has learned to say ‘Pet me!’ when I walk by him.. For the Robert’s pet shop situation, I wish I could have took a picture of them, but I wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible. The stench of all the feces was way too much.. Take in to account this is the Florida Robert’s, i don’t know if it’s different in other states/countries.. I remember there was a hole in the cardboard in the back, I think he tried to escape by ripping the cardboard [or just out of boredom!], but it’s covered by more bars now. Don’t they get the hint that the Too is so stressed out that he’s ripping up cardboard! If I go by there again, and I see them there, I will try to update with a picture of them, although you can probably guess how a plucked Moluccan looks. One thing i forgot to mention, there was a Macaw without a wing there! It looked like it had been bitten off by something and tried to heal, there was a stump of skin. Thankfully it looked somewhat healed, but that gives it less of a chance that someone will want to take it home. That is one of the most gruesome pet shops, they should relocate/get a bigger space so it won’t be as cramped, send all their pets to get vet-checked before putting them up for sale, and hire more workers to take care of them!

 

[GaleriaGila]

Aerski... YOU are a HERO!

We can't help them all, but we can do what we can.

I am so so SO glad you are here, sharing this with us!

Thank you!

 

[sunshine.within]

Can’t something be done about that horrible pet store? Maybe if we report it enough times they’ll be forced to shut down?


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[noodles123]

READ FIRST: As a U2 owner, I have NO LIFE. While, there are many good things about "Toos", the last thing I will ever do is post those when talking to a potential owner because, lets face it, for an overwhelming percentage of people, the bad outweighs the good. That is why these are the most re-homed birds in the world. So....I am totally honest, as painting a rosy picture of an often bleak scenario is a disservice to this beautiful birds....I am not saying that things never work out, but the statistics speak for themselves. These birds are uniquely challenging and very different from other large parrots. I urge you to consider the fact that, like you, others purchased cockatoos (thinking they were up for the challenge). If this had proven true, then there wouldn't be so many overflowing rescues. You have to consider the worst-case-scenario when getting one (AKA mytoos.com) because assuming otherwise is unfair to the bird...It may be okay, but could you handle it for 80 + years at its worst?

If you watch the AWESOME documentary that someone recently posted (Beak and Brain: Genius Birds From Down Under):Netflix.com/watch/801356...57d04664%2C%2C , the Cockatoo is a lot like the Keas in the video...only louder and YOU are its flock...no soaring around for miles and burning off that energy...
My mom compared my U2 to a flying pet ape with a beak and crazy health issues (aka teflon dangers etc)...3 days babysitting was her "max" and she is a pre-school teacher (2-4s for students with special needs).

EllenD is correct (again)---Also, you WORK from home lol. That's the thing...if you are there, these birds struggle to sit and chill while you work (they will expect interaction and you will be interrupted constantly by the most well-behaved of cockatoos-they are into EVERYTHING and lose interest in about 40 seconds TOPS)--and even if they have toys, you will trump those just by being in the same house ...It's like you almost have to make daily lesson plans/activities for a bird and remember, 40 seconds is nothing..you can't imagine how frustrating it is to keep a large cockatoo truly happy (not sure it is honestly possible in captivity...even for the perfect owner..on top of everything else...even if they seem happy on the surface.

I always sound negative, but it is because I didn't realize that having mine would be harder than having a child (just due to all of the special circumstances etc)...and I am more patient than 99.9% I know (for better or for worse). Toddlers are easier by far, because anyone can babysit a toddler and they don't run the risk of catching deadly diseases from playing with other toddlers...plus, you can take toddlers with you and they can't do the same level of damage as a bird...nor do they bite as hard...and they don't self-injure or hide illness.

I feel conflicted when I post these things because it makes my bird sound bad, or it makes me sound like I can't handle her...She is doing very well, but to own a "TOO" and do it correctly, you should feel utterly exhausted, or you probably aren't getting your bird what it needs. It sucks to love something so much, all the while knowing that you will never have the options you had before.

RE-HOMING shouldn't ever be an option unless there is an extreme medical circumstance etc..These birds have such huge hearts and brains--it just is so hard on them..so if you take the plunge, you are in it for life. Regardless of the challenges...

For instance, this year I am missing Thanksgiving with my family because they rented a cabin that doesn't allow birds...and she CANNOT spend days in her cage at a bird boarding facility... She would self-destruct more so than other types of birds (not to mention the risk of contracting hidden diseases from other birds). Now, I look crazy because I am "too fixated" on my bird according to those who have never owned cockatoos (my family).. The thing is, there is A LOT of emotion stored up in her bird-brain, and she becomes legitimately upset and then resentful when I leave for more than a day and return.

I am saying this as a U2 owner who has a fairly well-adjusted bird ...I love her (she cracks me up and she is very fun/interesting--if need be, I would probably jump in front of a train for her as long as I had my will set up lol!), but I'm not sure I would recommend it to anyone unless they planned on being a life-long bird hermit/pre-school teacher/therapist/behaviorist (no clue how I will ever get married etc etc)...Again, she brings me a lot of joy, but there is SO MUCH that I can't do because of her...I AM EXHAUSTED 100% of the time. Again---mine isn't as high-maintenance as the majority of cockatoos either...Then there is the guilt/stress when you DO everything right and they still display dangerous/neurotic behavior because, again, they are who they are and they are living in a very artificial environment. That is not to say that they can't be happy or loving....it's just that there is no way to get them what they truly need.

 

[sunshine.within]

I happen to have a rather chill umbrella cockatoo and I attribute it to her being older. She’s in her 40s, although I don’t know exactly how old she is. She was severely abused in the past and has lost the use of one wing. Since becoming bonded to me, which happened by complete accident because I am temporarily living in her house with her owner and decided that I was going to play with her and show her a good time (she is now mine as a result), she has become more playful and “needy”, but will still calmly and quietly spend time in her cage when I’m not around.
Long story to say that my advice would be to opt for an older Moluccan, just because it might have a more tame personality than that of a younger one.
I applaud you for wanting to rescue a cockatoo!


**Let me expand a little - I do spend a lot of time with her whenever I am home. We have breakfast together, sit on the couch, take naps, cuddle, play indoors, play outdoors, I also let her do a lot of activities like climbing up and down and so on. That said, she is still well adjusted to being by herself and I simply taught her how to play and do more in her cage than she thought she could.**


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[sunshine.within]

I’m also pasting this here for inspiration

[ame="https://youtu.be/xADtKIO0e5s"]Dr. Laurie Hess Examines a 58-year-old Moluccan Cockatoo .MP4 - YouTube[/ame]


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[noodles123]

I happen to have a rather chill umbrella cockatoo and I attribute it to her being older. She’s in her 40s, although I don’t know exactly how old she is. She was severely abused in the past and has lost the use of one wing. Since becoming bonded to me, which happened by complete accident because I am temporarily living in her house with her owner and decided that I was going to play with her and show her a good time (she is now mine as a result), she has become more playful and “needy”, but will still calmly and quietly spend time in her cage when I’m not around.
Long story to say that my advice would be to opt for an older Moluccan, just because it might have a more tame personality than that of a younger one.
I applaud you for wanting to rescue a cockatoo!


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Here is the thing: He will not know what kind of cockatoo he has adopted until after he has gotten it home and allowed it to adjust (For a non-traumatized adult, 6 months to see the true colors/pass the honeymoon/adjustment portion..for a baby, years because of all of the changes that happen with sexual maturity)... You really cannot judge a cockatoo's behavior based on what you see in a pet-shop or other highly-stimulating environment with lots of other birds (even if caged at a rescue, there is a lot of visual/auditory stimulation when compared to a home environment). They are VERY sensitive to change and VERY situation specific. They also thrive on novelty.

I know people get their hearts set on owning cockatoos and then cling to this idea that theirs will be "chill" as well...and that is the risk...hence my "negativity"...

The fact of the matter is, it is a GIANT gamble, so anyone who couldn't handle the worst Too shouldn't get one at all, because there is know way of knowing upfront.

Sunshine.Within also mentioned that her bird will sit quietly when she isn't around (as will mine...not all do though). The thing is, OP works at home, so he will always be around...That will be very very difficult, as the bird will expect his attention if he is home...and their hearing is excellent, so its nearly impossible to sneak around.

 

[sunshine.within]

I happen to have a rather chill umbrella cockatoo and I attribute it to her being older. She’s in her 40s, although I don’t know exactly how old she is. She was severely abused in the past and has lost the use of one wing. Since becoming bonded to me, which happened by complete accident because I am temporarily living in her house with her owner and decided that I was going to play with her and show her a good time (she is now mine as a result), she has become more playful and “needy”, but will still calmly and quietly spend time in her cage when I’m not around.
Long story to say that my advice would be to opt for an older Moluccan, just because it might have a more tame personality than that of a younger one.
I applaud you for wanting to rescue a cockatoo!


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Here is the thing: He will not know what kind of cockatoo he has adopted until after he has gotten it home and allowed it to adjust (For a non-traumatized adult, 6 months to see the true colors/pass the honeymoon/adjustment portion..for a baby, years because of all of the changes that happen with sexual maturity)... You really cannot judge a cockatoo's behavior based on what you see in a pet-shop or other highly-stimulating environment with lots of other birds (even if caged at a rescue, there is a lot of visual/auditory stimulation when compared to a home environment). They are VERY sensitive to change and VERY situation specific. They also thrive on novelty.

I know people get their hearts set on owning cockatoos and then cling to this idea that theirs will be "chill" as well...and that is the risk...hence my "negativity"...


The fact of the matter is, it is a GIANT gamble, so anyone who couldn't handle the worst Too shouldn't get one at all, because there is know way of knowing upfront.

I agree with you Noodles. My suggestion was that if the bird’s age is known, to prefer an older cockatoo, in case our original poster is dead set on adopting one and would like to increase his and the bird’s chances of staying together forever. Of course, I also think that if the owner turns out to be a disappointing parrot owner, no amount of decades under the bird’s belt will keep it from “acting up” as a result of poor rearing.


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[noodles123]

I happen to have a rather chill umbrella cockatoo and I attribute it to her being older. She’s in her 40s, although I don’t know exactly how old she is. She was severely abused in the past and has lost the use of one wing. Since becoming bonded to me, which happened by complete accident because I am temporarily living in her house with her owner and decided that I was going to play with her and show her a good time (she is now mine as a result), she has become more playful and “needy”, but will still calmly and quietly spend time in her cage when I’m not around.
Long story to say that my advice would be to opt for an older Moluccan, just because it might have a more tame personality than that of a younger one.
I applaud you for wanting to rescue a cockatoo!


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Here is the thing: He will not know what kind of cockatoo he has adopted until after he has gotten it home and allowed it to adjust (For a non-traumatized adult, 6 months to see the true colors/pass the honeymoon/adjustment portion..for a baby, years because of all of the changes that happen with sexual maturity)... You really cannot judge a cockatoo's behavior based on what you see in a pet-shop or other highly-stimulating environment with lots of other birds (even if caged at a rescue, there is a lot of visual/auditory stimulation when compared to a home environment). They are VERY sensitive to change and VERY situation specific. They also thrive on novelty.

I know people get their hearts set on owning cockatoos and then cling to this idea that theirs will be "chill" as well...and that is the risk...hence my "negativity"...


The fact of the matter is, it is a GIANT gamble, so anyone who couldn't handle the worst Too shouldn't get one at all, because there is know way of knowing upfront.

I agree with you Noodles. My suggestion was that if the bird’s age is known, to prefer an older cockatoo, in case our original poster is dead set on adopting one and would like to increase his and the bird’s chances of staying together forever. Of course, I also think that if the owner turns out to be a disappointing parrot owner, no amount of decades under the bird’s belt will keep it from “acting up” as a result of poor rearing.


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That is also true.

 

[Aerski]

Thank you, I went to one of the adoption centers near me and found one named Crystal. Her backstory is; she was kept in a closet and started plucking her feathers, her owner didn’t give her water and occasionally gave her a peanut.. thankfully, her feathers have grown back before I got her, so no sweater for her.. She is seven/ten years old, her abusive owner only had her for a few months. She is a silly, precious bird, and she dances whenever i clap my hands. We have a really big cage that we bought for nine hundred, it can fit quite a lot of Macaws. She is very nice as well, you can pet her and give her kisses on her cheek and beak (that rhymed).. and, she also knows how to say: hello, i love you, bye, yaaay!, and give kisses. We will take care for her as long as possible, she is also very quiet! (except for when she dances..) Everyone’s help is very meaningful.

 

[noodles123]

I say this with the love and concern of a mother (so...don't get offended, but listen):


You can't say I didn't warn you. If you do this, you had better not back out..Unless you are really really sick, DON'T YOU DARE re-home her. You will have BAD days...and probably bad months (way later than you thought you would)....but there will be good days in between. It is a very very very long haul and it is not easy; maybe harder than anything you would do! The worst and best will always happen when you least expect either. Make plans for her to outlive you now and make a trust (just in case). 80+ is no joke...Google cites the average which is AVERAGE.


That having been said, welcome to the crazy club! no take-backs ...You will laugh and you will cry..among other emotions you never knew you had! haha
Happy to help if I can.

 

[sunshine.within]

She sounds precious! You’re welcome to post a picture of her!


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[Aerski]

Her relaxing on the comfy couch..

Here she is, eating her grapes, not her bell peppers though, grapes are her favorite.

and yeah, i am sure there will be bad days, but i will suffer through them to get to the good days. Thank you for welcoming me to the crazy club!

 

[sunshine.within]

Awww, beautiful!


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