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Post by aaron on Mar 10, 2016 9:12:08 GMT -5
I'm constantly telling people not to get parrots too. I feel it's my responsibility, because with Cupcake we certainly make parrots seem cute and fun and interesting (accurate), but I don't want to inspire anyone to go get a parrot just because they saw how cute Cupcake is. Generally speaking, people don't understand how complicated they are and how much they need to be treated like a little human.
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Post by julianna on Mar 10, 2016 14:04:50 GMT -5
I second what Aaron has said. That is exactly right!!
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Post by Jan and Shah on Mar 10, 2016 15:34:28 GMT -5
It is not only parrots. Since I have been on the committee of Horse Rescue Australia I have become very aware of the horrendous treatment these animals receive around the world including the slaughter of them for human consumption. It makes me sick to my stomach. People doing the most barbaric things to them to "train" them. These creatures are truly magical to me - since I have spent time getting to know the individual horses, I have found they all have different personalities and can read humans like you wouldn't believe. I have learnt more about myself from my beautiful Izzie than I ever realised and she has made me a better human. To have that heart connection with a horse is the most amazing (and healing) experience. I really feel that a lot of species on this planet (including humans) get a rough deal - usually from stupid, idiotic, pathetic (and other words I am not allowed to use on this forum) humans. Well, I have had my rant so will crawl back into my corner and lay down now.
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Post by beccilouise on Mar 11, 2016 8:02:42 GMT -5
To be honest, I think this is the case with any animal and, to an extent, some people do it with their children too! People impulsively buy dogs, cats and reptiles because they think they are 'cool'. I heard a horrific story about one rescued python who had been burned repeatedly with a lit cigarette because its owner was bored of the fact it didn't do anything. The poor thing was tortured desperately simply so that it would entertain its owner. People can be so appallingly cruel. I agree, Jan, it's not just parrots.
I work in a school, and believe me, there are definitely some parents who had children without fully understanding the responsibility. We do it to each other! If we do that, some of these little guys don't stand a chance. We owe it to them to make sure that whoever we talk to about it fully understands the responsibility as far as they possibly can.
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Post by bruce on Mar 18, 2016 1:34:15 GMT -5
I commend the book "Of Parrots and People" as an excellent expose on the bird trade. It is a bit too heartbreaking for an introductory talk on QPs. In terms of "buying" a parrot, I inherited Chuckie - he is the first companion animal of any sort that I have ever had the joy(?) of caring for. I definitely recommend to anyone considering a bird that they adopt a fid that does not impact native populations and was raised in a humane manner. In an introductory talk, to 'inoculate' the audience, I might mention the unnecessary opposition QPs face from agricultural interests.
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