I was in Petco today..

[Mare]

And fell in love :(. I want you to know, I didn't bring him home, not going there with my story. There was this little green cheek conure all by himself in a plasic aquarium cage with one perch and a ladder. He was ADORABLE! I always try not to go near the birds for fear of my soft heart but I was after bird seed and pellets. I had to stop..and say hi to the little one who came running across the grate to get closer to me. There was about a half inch crack between the door and the cage frame, he licked my finger and I pet his beak. I had other business in the store, dog stuff, but crossed the little guys path a couple of times, I was drawn to him. I went to check out and the man at the counter asked if I had birds, you know the answer to that :). He noticed this little guy was following my every step through the store. I asked how long he had been there, since Sept.1, and he was hatched early June.



After I checked out, I asked what the little one's name was, Charlie. I went to say goodby to Charlie and the worker came up behind me and opened up his cage. Charlie jumped right up and snuggled into my neck! I'm going to cry!! I don't believe in buying birds from pet corps. only because it perpetuates breeders when there are so many birds in need of rescue. I sure felt, though, like little Charlie was in need of rescuing. Do you think stores intentionally give birds stark environments to make us feel sorry for them? I talked with the man for a bit and asked him to please give little Charlie some toys and things to keep him busy throughout the day. I asked if the little guy got some loving attention throughout the day and he said, yes, yes he gets picked up several times a day. This made me feel a little bit better. I'm thinking that if he's still there by end of November,,I will indeed, "rescue" him :)

[PlaxMacaws]

Aww, that's really hard, Mare :(. You don't want to feed the serious problem of bird mills and corporate profits from the mass-selling of pets ... but at the same time you feel a compelling need to rescue poor, sweet little Charlie :(. I empathize with your dilemma. Charlie sounds like a total sweetheart. I guess the question is: will he end up in a good home? He sounds absolutely precious :D

[froggij]

I used to work in Petsmart, they aren't given the corporate "Okay" to put much in there, so it's easier to clean out. They suspiciously never told us why we couldn't use a lot of stuff in cages (I worked mostly in grooming though) and for the most part it was assumed that it was because they're really cheapskates and don't want us ruining product on a bird that isn't ours.

Edit: Petsmart is a horrible company, though, I don't know how Petco is, but in our district they didn't really care about any of the employees or the pets either. I knew I had a coworker lying about me and saying horrible things about me to customers and other employees, even the new management that hadn't gotten a chance to actually know anything about me or what I did in my job. When I brought it up that I was being discriminated against, they basically told me to keep my mouth shut and do my job. I didn't, so I got "talked to" and finally walked out after three years of putting up with harassment from the company and two of the employees who had seniority over me, so they weren't going to do anything about it. I'll never again buy anything from Petsmart, they don't deserve it and they treat their animals (employees included) like poop.

Charlie sounds absolutely adorable though. I don't know how you managed to walk out of the store without him. I almost brought home another lovebird the last time I went to my independently owned petstore that humanely breeds 'tiels and lovies. he jumped right into my hand and snuggled. So cute! Dori would have eaten him alive....

[94lt1]

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Green cheeks seem to like it there... I can't go on pet Co.. They have another cinnamon gc and I'm so afraid it will wind up like rain did... :(.. [emoji36]

[Lady]

Ah Mare,

It is so very hard to leave them behind, but indeed we can't rescue them all. You did however ask questions and give suggestions that will improve Charlies time till he finds his forever home, or you return for more supplies :).

[Cedardave]

My 2 cents worth(1.8canadian).While what you said has merrit and of course your opinion is yours.I have never had access to pet rescues in the same way those of you in the US do.We have rescued a number of birds but not from so called rescues as there are none in our area.For us its either petstore or breeder....we are in fact also breeders,but dont sell to petstores.My thought is if there is a healthy bird that needs a loving home, and you fall in love with the bird and can offer it the loving home it needs.....why not do it.If you have the experiance to know it isnt in a good place and have the means to make it better, then why not.Having said that...Im not sure that the store wont replace that bird with another one that needs a loving home and so on and so on.To me if you dont buy him someone will.I dont know that any effect to places like petco are felt when there will always be someone who will buy from them....thats why they still exhist.Just be sure hes healthy.The longer he stays there the more likely his health will suffer.

[Mare]

Good point, Dave. I have never been to a "rescue", either. To my mind, taking a bird in that needs help is a rescue. All of my birds came to me needing help. I suppose bird mills is what I'm against and unfortunately these birds don't have a choice in the matter. You are right, if we see someone/some bird in need..help them.

[Robyn]

My view is they need homes too. Of course Petco and PetSmart is how I ended up with Halloween and Speckles instantly fell in love with them, though I think Speckles was mostly because he looked like Halloween which was my favorite tiel until I got Riley now it's a tie. The only "rescue" around is actually a parrot sanctuary meaning they do not adopt out the parrots they take in (mostly cockatoos and macaws) I was supposed to start volunteering there a couple weeks ago but Riley got sick so haven't been out there yet so I can't tell if they live up to their claims but the only place that has birds for adoption outside craigslist is 2+ hours away. So personally I would have no issues taking home a bird from one of them.

[spiritbird]

I so wish pet stores would only sell supplies, no living animals. I recently worked for a company that promotes Pro Plan pet food and was stationed at a Petco store. So much of the animal care depends on the manager of that particular store. Right now just about all the birds are green cheeks and one mini Macaw that has been there a long time.
One of the employees who is the bird care person is awesome! She goes out of her way to educate customers about the birds. She will not sell a bird to a person that seems to have issues. Most of the birds they had come from what they call a breeding facility that I call a bird mill. Every once in a while the bird may be hand fed and a total sweetheart. That must be little Charlie. Mare, just because a pet store bird is sold does not mean the home is a good one. If this bird is on your mind still I would seriously consider taking him home. :heart:

[jtbirds]

I usually try to stay clear of pet store bird areas because I become easily upset with the care provided. I agree with mare on the fact bird farms is what truly upsets me. I am all for a good proper breeder and believe they do good work. Being as I am a rescuer myself I dislike seeing them in pet stores where anyone can go buy one for whatever bad reason it could be. Yes I am sure sometimes the reason may be good, but I have seen a lot of not so good reasons.

[Mare]

The little Charlie is still in my thoughts. That's the thing, like some of you have mentioned, God only knows who will end up with this bird. I KNOW, I could give him a good home,,do I need another bird?..no..do I think I could share my time, heart and energy with another bird?..yes..will my husband leave us if I brought home another bird?..hmm..? As long as it's not another cockatoo, I'm sure I could get away with it :).

If Charlie is still there, next time I'm in that store, I will sneak him home :th_biggrin:

[spiritbird]

:th_yah::th_chickendance::woohoo-dancing-bana You will love a GCC! He will try to boss the big birds so watch out for his safety.

[plax]

If Charlie is still there, next time I'm in that store, I will sneak him home :th_biggrin:That's what I wanted to hear, Mare :th_biggrin:

[2birds]

I love the gcc's. They're awesome!

[Macaw Lover]

And you just needed to pick something at that store already, right??????????

Is that trip scheduled for today or is it tomorrow?

[Mare]

Oh,,you are funny, Renee'! :). I live an hour from this store and get down there around every other week. Charlie is on my list, though :). I've always loved the stories I hear of green cheeks and if this happens, I'm sure I will love him and the experience! I may have to make a call to see if he's still there..if he is..I will head down sooner than later :)

[spiritbird]

Sooner not later for Charlie.

[froggij]

Yay! I'm sure you and Charlie will be so happy together :)

[Mare]

Heehee! You guys are SUCH enablers! :)

[Lady]

:woohoo-dancing-bana A welcome home party~~ Or would it be a new baby celebration??

[Pinkbirdy]

Mare ,I have to add to this . You know me and all my birds coming from everywhere :). Try to get this guy soon [to keep his sweet innocent nature]. They get wary of everyone poking at them [and its a stress].You know birds are not fans of crowds.Give yourself a break ,you felt a connection with him :).

[Mare]

I was thinking the same thing, Terri, thank you. I will call in the morn. My mind goes in so many directions when thinking about taking on more animals and I really don't know why because we have soo many that have landed here (and at the time, I don't know why..or how), so many that had nowhere else to go. I suppose the directional issues come from,,do we need more? No..will we help more?..always. I'm thinking we need to start up a rescue.

[Macaw Lover]

Oh,,you are funny, Renee'! :). I live an hour from this store and get down there around every other week. Charlie is on my list, though :). I've always loved the stories I hear of green cheeks and if this happens, I'm sure I will love him and the experience! I may have to make a call to see if he's still there..if he is..I will head down sooner than later :)

Only one hour, that's nothing. :angel:

[plax]

I will call in the morn.I'm very anxious to learn whether he's still there. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

[Cedardave]

I hope hes still there for you.Maybe give the store a call and ask them to hold him...if you have decided to go for it.I have the same trouble with taking in those in need.We have taken in over a dozen in need.Sadly some have passed...but at least we have had the chance to give them a better life for the time they are here.It sounds like this little guy has a better future ahead.I do agree...get him sooner than later.
Keep us posted please.

[Mare]

I called and Charlie is still there! It sounds like all the employees just love him to pieces :). I'm going in to the hospital this morning, for surgery, I may be off line for a few days. If Charlie is still around when I'm up and about, I've decided he will be mine :love_heart: In the mean time, I think he's getting some kind attention,,talk at you later!

[Macaw Lover]

May the surgery go smoothly for you.

I am surprised you did not request to have a 'sold' sign put on the cage until you get there.

Yes, I know I am bad but it is always so nice when you have a little birdie who just adores you.

[spiritbird]

May you heal and be free of any complications.

[plax]

My thoughts are with you, Mare. Please recover quickly and let us know how you're doing as soon as you're able! As Renee' suggested, you could always ask the Petco store if they will hold Charlie for you :). I bid you a speedy healing.

[Lady]

Mare,

May the Lord guide the hands of your surgeon, a speedy recovery to you! Charlie is another great reason to look forward to when you are home recovering.

[froggij]

Ooh, Mare, good luck. Hope you heal quickly :) And hope little Charlie's still there for you when you get out ;)

[kendrafitz]

Mare - I hope everything goes smoothly and Charlie gives you lots of snuggles once you are up and about.

[2birds]

Speedy recovery to you. Charlie will be there waiting for you. :)

[jtbirds]

Sending all the healing energy I can! CYa soon mare:).

[Mare]

Thanks, guys! I'm out, had a hysterectomy, cancer free and on the road to recovery! Yay! :). I will check in on Charlie soon and the reason I didn't leave a deposit is because I don't really NEED another bird, would I take another bird in need?..you bet I would! I felt a connection with Charlie, he's sweet, young, precious and willing to love, I think, WHOEVER brings him home and I can only hope that if he is not there that he will be with someone who will love him..if he IS still there..to be continued..:)

[Lady]

Glad your home and to be cancer free is awesome:happy-feet: ! I was blessed to be cancer free for the last 7 years now. :congrats2:

[spiritbird]

It takes a great deal of inner strength to deny a bird you so wanted. Feel better.

[plax]

I'm really happy to learn about your no cancer status, Mare :D. Big congrats to you!!! Please recover comfortably... and please let us know what you learn about Charlie when you can.

[Macaw Lover]

I am thankful that you got a clean diagnosis. To have to be facing that possible diagnosis really can do a number on your head. Rest, recuperate and if Charlie is meant to be with you, he will be there waiting for you.

[Pinkbirdy]

Glad to hear things went well [you must have been very stressed].

[spiritbird]

Mare Thinking about you and wondering if you are OK. :toyou:

[jm91rs]

I know how you feel about perpetrating the problem with Bird Mill type operations. I was able to convince myself that Simon (my blue fronted) was already born so buying him wouldn't hurt. Obviously not the best approach, since I'm sure PetCo just replaced him with another right away. I know the feeling of "you have to rescue this bird" from the store, but know that some other loving person probably already took Charlie home and he's in a happy home. Tell yourself that anyway, it's the only way to not freak out at the shear number of birds going through this big chain.

[Mare]

Sadly, Charlie is still there. I stopped by the other day and there he was. I went up to him and he ran away :(. I spoke with an employee and she came and opened his cage. He jumped up on her and claimed her as his! She is going to take him, I'm so thankful that he has his somebody :)

[Lady]

That is great news that he has a forever home and with someone whom he already knows from working in the store. Now when you stop by and see her you can inquire how he is doing and hear how he is growing up.

[Mare]

The employees, they all love him, he really is a special guy. I was happy to see and hear that someone stepped up and was taking charge. Charlie will have a charmed life :)