[Ella]

Well, for as long as I can remember, my local petshop has owned a male sulpher crested cockatoo.

He's in his cage all day (a decent size), with only a box to rip up, a dog treat to chew, a few perches and food and water.

But the cage is only suitable if he can get time out of his cage, and 'toos really need hours of attention, not just the odd greeting from customers.
And even worse, he's not even up the front, but tucked away at the back, after he bit someone.

I've been told the last owners of the shop used to have him out all the time, and his cage was by the front desk. But there's new owners now, who own the 'too now.

The petshop opens at 9:00, and closes 5:30, and he's left alone all night.

If your going to own a parrot, you can do things that are legal, or you can go the extra mile and give it a really nice life.

I've told my boss, (the SPCA inspector)
and he told me that they aren't really breaking any rules, but might be be breaking the one 'animals must be able to display natural behaviour patterns'

So I'm going to try to give him a better life, and find him a loving owner, because thats what such a smart animal desrves.

 

[Jenny]

Good for you, Ella :thumbsup: If nothing else, having SPCA come in, do a surprise inspection, and suggest that he be moved to where he gets more attention, light, and a bigger cage, will likely change the owner's attitudes - just having SPCA in the store will likely scare them! I know the shop I worked at always freaked when animal care & control came in, even if we passed every time

 

[Ella]

Good for you, Ella :thumbsup: If nothing else, having SPCA come in, do a surprise inspection, and suggest that he be moved to where he gets more attention, light, and a bigger cage, will likely change the owner's attitudes - just having SPCA in the store will likely scare them! I know the shop I worked at always freaked when animal care & control came in, even if we passed every time

LOL, I know!

Every time I come in, they know I work at the SPCA, so they randomly start cleaning out the cages and trying to look innocent.

They freak out any time I come in, even if I'm just going for a look around!

But I'm going to make sure they know that how they are treating such an intelligent bird is not right. It's like locking a child in a cage 24/7! It's just not okay!

It's awful because whenever I go to see the 'too, they tell me not to touch him because he bites. But he just wants attention, and whenever a human comes close he whines! I gave in yesterday and gave him a pat, and he didn't want me to stop. He didn't so much as even touch my finger with his beak, he just wanted a cuddle. Poor little guy.

 

[beth]

Thats great Ella!
I really hope you can find a good home for him, poor bird
He sounds like he would be a wonderful pet!

"they randomly start cleaning out the cages and trying to look innocent."

:rofl: Thats so funny, it made my day!
You should go in with a disguise.. then see if they clean all the cages :yesnod:

 

[Nancy]

I agree. That bird needs to go to a home where he will be loved and given the attention he needs.