Breeder wins court case and has birds returned to her!
This entry was posted on Monday, January 01. 2007 and is filed under Thoughts on Running an Adoption Program.
Chrissy and I were involved in the care of these 100 birds who came to the SPCA in deplorable living conditions! We were appalled at the judge's decision to return the birds to the breeder, who had noxious odors emitting from the house when the birds were confiscated. Some of her birds were clearly ill and required immediate medical care. One bird had large bleeding tumors on it's wing. The breeder stated that it was fine to have 25 tiels live in a 24x16 or 30x18 flight cage. The Florida Administrative code clearly states that there should be no more than 4 birds in a cage this size. It is my understanding that the breeder also stated that you should not disturb them during breeding season, hence the filthy cage conditions. Birds do not live like that in the wild! They still forage, exercise, and get fresh sunlight and air during this time. They don't live in crowded filthy conditions. It is a crime that these birds were returned to this woman...
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Monday, January 08. 2007
K T wrote:
I never heard about the abusive bird breeder. Dog abuse makes the newspaper (and it needs to), but too many people dismiss birds as less important. Next time this happens, rally bird families to help protest at the court.
On my shoulder is Star, a sun conure, who came to us at one year old abused, traumatized and quaking. As a psychotherapist, I have never seen a worse case of anxiety even in people. With patience, love and letting my hand be bitten for months as I gently held it out for her to inspect, one day, she hopped on my hand and now she is a cuddle bird. Birds are smart and sensitive yet have few defenses.
Taking a rescue bird demands time, care and meeting the bird's needs not expecting the bird to meet your needs.
We were prepared to love Star no matter what her response. We were rewarded beyond expectation by this precious little bird.
K T Erwin
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Thursday, January 11. 2007
Jane wrote:
I have wanted a parrot ever since I was little and money hasnt been a issue,I know that in order to properly care for a bird it takes a lot of care and love,attention, time. five years ago we opened our door one morning to a pitboxer starved and filthy, we later found out where she had come from,owner was is prison, person that was left to take care of Grace, had beat her locked her up in the garage with another dog no food or water, the other dog was found dead he had drank gasoline,Grace came to us as a blessing and she is the most loveable dog I have ever had. I wish that this people that are neglectful and just out right uncaring could spend time in the same conditions they are leaving our loving pets in,Hubby and I are now looking to adopt a bird that needs the same love as our grace, I retired a few months ago and I am home and have lots of time and love and attention to give. Thank all of you that help take care of our small friends.
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Friday, January 12. 2007
michele wrote:
I recently read the other side of this story. You can read it at: http://oldworldaviaries.com/text/miscellaneous/Pinellas-Pattison.htm
I have to be a little skeptical of your objectivity and motives in this case because, in viewing your website, it seems that you benefit from the SPCA's confiscations of birds in Florida. Additionally, you not only accept donations, but sell the birds you "adopt" out. You may have strict rules as to who gets a rehomed bird and who does not, but to me, that makes you a picky seller -- not one who "adopts" out these birds.
Please take the time to read the article at the URL above. It not only speaks for many bird owners, but for those of us who try hard to take good care of our birds and educate others --- only to be attacked, assaulted and/or robbed by PETA (and groups like it), a publicity hungry SPCA or an ignorant, gung-ho and untrained law enforcement agency.
In no way do I advocate cruelty to animals -- I am the first one to step up and yell "an eye for an eye" when I hear about animal abuse, but I get really angry when I hear about these associations abusing their power and using the legal system to promote their political, selfish "anti-pet" agendas.
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Wednesday, March 07. 2007
caitlin wrote:
Michele, I am pleased that you try to gather all the information on a case before you try and judge it. But the fact is, this the internet, not life. Unless you see this yourself, how can you judge? Mrs. Pattison has written books, given seminars and spoils all of her birds palate. I respect her opinion and her view on her case may have been called for. But her explanation about her friend's case seemed as feeble as her explanation as why the SPCA are "terrorist evil-doers".
Also, please note that the more recent photos provided by the SPCA, through your link, are the birds in this neglect case. I don't know if many people can actually comprehend what they are seeing in these photos.
The first one depicts a single bird, in a wonderfully large cage I might add, but no mental stimulation, a single perch (I'm sure the breeder was trying to cause bumble foot), a bowl of seed(can't even tell if it was just hulls) and a cage bottom layered in, what looks like, moldy paper plates.
The next photo shows a pair of superb parakeets(although they don't look "superb" in this situation). Can't you see what they're in? A cage encrusted in rust! The female(preening) is spay legged and the male was deathly ill. We knew he was going to die, but decided to treat him for his illness anyway. Too bad the State took him away to die in the woman's home.
Now, if you skip a few images of mammals to the last two cage photos. You'll see another fecal filled cage. Two grimy perches, twenty or more moldy, bacteria covered paper plates and a single fecal covered nest box not even attached to the cage properly! I would assume that these "living quarters" belonged to the black-cheeked finches this lady kept. And to let you on a little secret: Breeding a black cheek mutation with another black cheek causes infertile eggs and chicks that do not survive. I would guess this lady did not even know enough about this simple finch(and genetics). If she was an adequate breeder she should at least know this small fact about her birds.
I do not believe the SPCA are "terrorist evil-doers". But I do believe, if we are all serious about this issue, that specific bird care guidelines should be put into action by the State. Before an issue is put under "animal neglect".
Have you noticed, Michele, that this website has PETA directly linked to it for animal protection rights? Yet at the same time they have an article not condoning PETA.
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Saturday, July 28. 2007
Chrystina wrote:
I understand and appreciate your point of view because it does seem that more "rescues" are just out to make a buck and the birds being "adopted" out are NOT true rescues but I can tell you from numerous experiences with THIS rescue that they are a true rescue. If you notice the adoption fees on all the birds are VERY low. They are simply asking to cover costs of vets, medications etc. I have visited several times and seen how many birds they have that they care for at thier own expense. Truly ill or abused birds that need help and may never be adoptable. She COULD have sold my U2 to me for at least 3x his adoption fee and no one would have questioned the cost! She also called me on another bird and NEARLY gave him to me because she thought I was the right owner for him. I agree with you in general....I see EXACTLY what you are talking about in MANY horse rescues and it's sad but I can personally vouch for THIS rescue that they are good honest people who truly care about the birds and try to make sure they end up in the best possible situation.
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Wednesday, August 08. 2007
Denise Hosner wrote:
Thank you for your comments on this, Michele. I have already ready the article that you suggested.
What I don't begin to understand is your statement saying that we possibly benefit from confiscations by the SPCA. How is this possible? We are full most of the time. We ask for donations to help OFFSET the costs of running this program. THe adoption fees we ask don't put a dent into our expenses. Our food is $600-$1000 a month. Luckily, our husbands are handy with tools. We had to build a hurricane proof bird room for the large birds. THe total was over $15,000. Chrissy had to take a personal loan for this. None of it came from donations. My birdroom was all self funded. YOu can not imagine how many times the air conditioner has broken. YOu cannot imagine the condition of many of the birds we get. WHo will pay the vet bills? Who will pay for the liability insurance against bird bites? Who pays for the expensive medicines we need? So many of the cages that the birds arrive in are toxic, rusty, too small, held together with bits of wire. Chrissy and I don't draw any income from Safe Haven, but it cost us a fortune to run. We refuse to compromise our standards of care for these birds. They are not inexpensive pets. They demand and are owed the best quality of life we can give them while in our care. THey did not chose to be caught between 2 worlds as they are in captivity.
They need a flock, they need foraging opportunities, they need habitat enrichments, good nutrition, medical care, safe and expansive housing.
I can only speak for myself, our organization, and those groups I have firsthand knowledge of. I can't make truthful statements about other organizations' agendas.
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Wednesday, March 07. 2007
caitlin wrote:
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Monday, March 26. 2007
Joe wrote:
I would like to know how you were "INVOLVED" in the seizure (NOT rescue!) of the 100 birds in Pinellis county! You obviously weren't there and didn't see the conditions first hand. Did you know that the SPCA killed every one of the baby birds in their nests due to their THROWING the cages haphazardly into their van? Did you know they also addled (killed) all of the eggs? Did you know that the birds were feed an improper diet and ALL of them lost weight while under the SPCA's 'care'? Did you know the SPCA washed the birds cages with bleach WHILE THE BIRDS WERE IN THEM and exposed the birds to chlorine fumes? Did you know that the SCPA has not returned all of the birds and that a number of them are "unaccounted" for? Did you know that ALL of the birds had their leg bands removed before being returned? Presuably to ruin their show and breeding value. Did you know that bird were purposely swapped into the wrong cages MINUTES before being returned to their owner and that several birds were killed by their improper cage mate? Did you know that the birds were medicaly mistreated by the SPCA's NON-Avian vet? Presumably you benefited or would have benefitted from the SPCA actions and that's why you're upset that the SPCA lost. You are obviously NOT interested in the welfare of birds but more interested in adding to your own collection at the expense of others!
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Wednesday, August 22. 2007
Cindi Eppers wrote:
It just makes me sick that this breeder can get away with this!
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