Let your voice be heard-Write letters to pet stores that sell birds
(sample letter)
Dear (pet retailer),
As a consumer, I am writing to express my concerns regarding the plight of unwanted, homeless parrots. I share with parrot rescue sanctuaries across the nation the belief that selling birds in pet stores is contributing to the dramatic rise in unwanted, homeless birds and their hidden suffering.
The proper care and housing of exotic birds is complicated and time consuming. Pet stores cannot ensure that customers who buy birds are knowledgeable, responsible individuals. Many consumers are ill-prepared and unable to handle the wild traits that most birds exhibit. For example, screaming and chewing are natural behaviors of most parrots. Even hand-fed babies can bite due to untrained handling and they frequently become aggressive during hormonal swings once they mature. Captive birds often suffer in captivity and demonstrate psychological and physical stress, leading them to illness and unstable behaviors (from self mutilation and aggression to excessive screaming and neurotic pacing. These behaviors often leave their caretakers frustrated, angry and distraught, causing many people to surrender their birds. Despite these facts, pet stores rarely, if ever, tell consumers the whole truth. Instead, birds are included in promotions and advertised as though they are “the perfect pet,” resulting in impulse purchases that ultimately harm animals.
There are only a limited number of credible sanctuaries in the nation, and they are almost always filled to capacity. I believe it is incredibly cruel to keep marketing birds as “pets” to unsuspecting consumers while the number of homeless birds continues to escalate. Parrots are complex and intelligent living creatures with inherent needs that most consumers cannot provide. They should not be treated like objects or merchandise.
Please stop selling live animals and instead direct your focus on selling high quality pet supplies. If your customers ask to buy parrots, direct them to the community animal shelter or a qualified rescue group where they can adopt some feathered friends who desperately need a loving home. In doing so, you will appeal to the many consumers who, like me, want to patronize compassionate, responsible businesses that care about the plight of companion birds.
Sincerely,
(your name here)
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