National Bird Day - January 5
The Animal Protection Institute (API) in coordination with the Avian
Welfare Coalition (AWC) is calling on activists around the U.S. to
take action on behalf of captive birds by drawing attention to the
exploitation of other country's native birds by the U.S. pet industry
on January 5 - National Bird Day.
"National Bird Day" is not only a good day to take time to appreciate
the native wild birds flying free outside our windows, it is also a
perfect time to reflect on how we treat the native birds of other
countries. While we have enacted laws to protect our native birds -
such as blue jays, cardinals, and crows - from commercial
exploitation, we fail to recognize the inconsistency in allowing the
pet industry to exploit the birds of other countries.
Even when bred in captivity, exotic birds are not considered
domesticated animals, and all their inherent behavioral and physical
needs remain intact. Sadly, when it comes to birds, deprivation of
their natural behaviors (to fly and flock, for example) is an
inescapable component of their captivity.
Each year thousands of birds are sold into the pet trade to
individuals who are under the mistaken impression that a bird will
make a perfect pet. Eventually, whether due to frustration,
disinterest, or concern, many people attempt to rid themselves of the
responsibility of caring for their birds. Unfortunately, few of these
birds will find a loving home, and most will spend their days
isolated and confined to their cages. Others will bounce from home to
home as their caretakers tire of them, and some may be abandoned at
local shelters and birds rescues, set free to fend for themselves or
euthanized.
Meanwhile pet stores across the country, including Petco and
PetsMart, continue to treat birds like merchandise peddling them into
the pet trade. Pet stores that sell live animals are routinely faced
with conflicting responsibilities between caring for the health and
well-being of the animals and protecting the store's bottom line.
More often than not it's the bottom line that prevails.
You Can Help
Join API and the Avian Welfare Coalition in its second annual
National Day of Action for Captive birds by helping to educate the
public about issues affecting captive birds and by asking Petco and
PetsMart not to sell live birds in their stores.
There are many ways you can participate:
Hold a peaceful protest and leaflet in front of a Petco or PetsMart
to educate their customers on why they should not support Petco or
PetsMart so long as they continue to sell birds. Or drive to your
local Petco and PetsMart stores and place flyers on the windshields
of cars parked in the parking lot.
A reproducible Petco/PETsMART flyer is available from API at
www.api4animals.org/images/BirdDayFlyer.pdf .
A variety of AWC flyers are available at
http://www.avianwelfare.org/action/flyers/index.htm .
Write letters to Petco and PETsMART and let them know why you won't
patronize their stores. Sample letter and contact information
available at www.api4animals.org/317.htm.
Send a letter to the editor or Op-ed drawing attention to the plight
of captive exotic birds in this country. Sample letters available at
www.api4animals.org/1391.htm and www.api4animals.org/1392.htm .
Set up an educational display. Community centers and local or school
libraries often have exhibit cases that can be used for educational
displays. Just ask the manager or librarian how to make a reservation
and be willing to agree to some guidelines.
Host a video showing. A video showing can consist of close friends or
family members viewing a video at home or reserving a classroom with
a standard television or big screen for the public.
Give a presentation at a school, children's museums, boy's and girl's
club, or library. Ask the kids to draw or write on the theme "Born to
be Wild," comparing and contrasting our native birds to the native
birds of other countries, comparing and contrasting how birds live in
the wild and how they live in captivity, or how the wild bird trade
impacts birds. For more ideas for kids visit
http://craftsforkids.about.com/library/spdays/bljan5th.htm.
Three videos are available from AWC members:
"Stalking the Wild Amazons." Harvard biologist Mike Schindlinger
introduces the parrots he studies as they move through their daily
lives with an intelligence not dissimilar to our own. VHS 1 hour:
Cost $29.95. Visit www.sneakerfish.com/parrots/.
"The Fire and the Wings." Mary Margison, Media Presentation
Coordinator, Foster Parrots Ltd, documents the challenges faced by
bird rescues and the reasons captive birds become homeless. VHS 29
min: Free. Contact Mary Margison at Marymary81@aol.com.
"Wild at Heart." The Animal Protection Institute (API) examines the
impacts of the pet trade on exotic birds in captivity and in the wild
and offers ways to help. VHS 15 min. Free. Contact API's Monica
Engebretson at monica@api4animals.org.
Let us know your plans!
We would like to compile a list of activities complete with contact
information so that interested people team up to participate in
planned leafleting and tabling events in their area. So once you have
decided what you want to do, email Monica Engebretson at
monica@api4animals.org so we can add your action to our list of
participants and activities. If you get a letter to the editor
published in a newspaper, please let us know and send a copy if
possible to API, P.O. Box 22505, Sacramento, CA 95822.
Posted on SHARE Yahoo group 09/09/03