Since the store has started selling larger birds again so many people that have never owned even a budgie have bought a Too or Grey...they constantly call the store for advice. This is the perfect job.

Susan! I would love to do something like that! I think it's a great idea! I've looked into doing something like that around here, but I came up with nothing. Good for you, I'm sure you'll have a blast!

Good kind of job, by appointment sounds just the thing.

I can't wait!
Also going to be feeding the babies.

Bad idea those babies, are you sure you want more birdies? They are so cute and addictive. I have to let it be known that the baby is for sale or I would end up over run with birdies. It is so hard not to get attached to babies.

That store is way too expensive for me...no baby here. (unless I can get it at cost)

The more I am around large psittacines the more I am convinced people ought to be required to have licenses to own them. I'm not of the camp that believes it is wrong for us to own them because I firmly believe they will go extinct in the wild and living in homes/aviaries is the next best alternative but damn, you shouldn't be able to buy one in a pet store.

Jen and I spent 6 months picking out Merlin, visited Ariel for a year from hatch to wean, stop by our aviary 6-12 times a year to play with and socialize babies, and still are surprised and learning on a daily basis.

These animals aren't 'pets' like cats or dogs and while I'm loathe to trust legislation of any form due to it's slippery slope nature I find myself more and more bothered by the ease with which people can acquire these animals.

There needs to be a different paradigm for how we live with these creatures.

Our cat vet (not our bird vet) got out of the bird business because he got tired of seeing birds who hadn't been out of their cages in years. I've also had a few people ask me to take their bird and as much as I wanted to I couldn't but on visiting found the animal to be treated as little more than a trophy piece without a cage large enough for it to even spread it's wings.

Maybe it's a pipe dream but I hope to one day build a greenhouse and rescue macaws that I will then allow to live, free of being a companion, in their own little eco-system.I really think there needs to be a different paradigm in how we live with/interact with/ protect these creatures.

Jared - I think people like you & Susan offer a lot to anyone you meet. Keep spreading the word. You can really make a difference even without that wonderful dream coming true.

The bad things are hard but they strengthen our resolve. People can change.

bleeeeh, i just can't stand it and to think of how many parrots in the world are kept like this and worse, it makes me so upset. i can't even stand the thought of ivy or art being kept like that, how can people do such things? how can they think it's ok???

jared, i agree. large parrots should require a license...as a matter of fact, when i started looking into getting a hyacinth, i was ready and willing to do so as i assumed it was required. having a parrot is having a child, in a sense. not at all like a cat or a dog.

AH frustrating!!!