Winnipeg Pet Show Pictures

[Cedardave]

Here are some pictures of our booth at the first annual Winnipeg Pet Show. The show was a success, and we had a few thousand people come through our booth. We were proud to share our knowledge, and the information we were able to access from this site. Full credit was given on the information to those that had contributed, and we were very happy with the turnout.

They are already asking for people to sign up for next year's show, but we are still recooperating from this one, so we will see.

We have a ton of pics to post, hope you enjoy!

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[spiritbird]

Do you worry about bird viruses spreading in a gathering of birds?

[Cedardave]

All the bords were ours....so I wasnt overly worried.The ventalation was very good and no one did or was allowed to touch any of our guys

[wingman]

I would want one of everything!!!! Looks fun!

[kendrafitz]

Looks like fun! Did your birds like all the attention? They had a lot of admirers. :)

[Cedardave]

They had close to 3000 people come past and admire them....they were caught between confusion and glory.They know they are beautiful.Ivo, the cockatoo, was out several times on me just hanging out or for tv interviews.It was an excellant way to educate people on the responsability of having a companion bird.Both the cost of the bird and cage and food monitarily ,but the commitment of their time.Lots of eye opening for alot of people.

[Lady]

As it may have been fun for those who got to learn about the birds as well as see and hear them. I hope anyone who is seriously interested in having one for a companion will continue to do research and visit with rescues where they can also see what has happened when we fail them.
I'm sure it was a lot of work for you and I appreciate what you do to bring the information to the public:goodjob:!

[Cedardave]

We also made sure to tell people the horror stories. We had rescued a moloccan cockatoo that had been housed in a closet because of his loudness, because of this, his growing was stunted and he was in very poor health. When we got him, he was a loving bird who spent all of his time out of his cage, stayed badly plucked, and only lived a year and a half after we got him. He died in my arms, and left a hole in my heart. I made sure the story was heard by anyone expressing an interest in the "loud" birds, as I would never want to hear of that sort of thing happening again. Poor Peaches story brought tears to many eyes, and changed minds of a few that wanted a "pretty" bird like that one (Ivo). We also warned people that there is only one bird rescue in Winnipeg, and they charge you for leaving a bird with them, so they need to think things thru carefully, a bird isn't like a dog, cat, or gerbil, they outlive you, and you need to make arrangements for them after you are gone.

Not a rant against anyone here, this is just the type of info we were making sure people understood.

Beth Balanduk


As it may have been fun for those who got to learn about the birds as well as see and hear them. I hope anyone who is seriously interested in having one for a companion will continue to do research and visit with rescues where they can also see what has happened when we fail them.
I'm sure it was a lot of work for you and I appreciate what you do to bring the information to the public:goodjob:!

[spiritbird]

That is a sad life for any bird. It takes a special person to understand a Cockatoo and provide them the kind of life they should have. My personal opinion is that no one should have them in a cage and best to be in their wild homeland flying free.

[Cedardave]

The cages our birds were in were specifically for the show.Particularly the cockatoo and the greys have a very happy life in our home with much larger cages.Ivo, the cockatoo pictured, spends a lot of time out cuddleing and playing with his human family.Wether you agree or disagree with having this magnitude of bird, the thing to remember is they are here...they arent going anywhere....we dont breed cockatoos,but since there are many out there, the best places for them is in a loving home that cares appropriately.If anything is sad about having a companion bird or birds...its that anyone ever started doing it.I agree that flying with freedom is best...then again all animals were created to be free in the beginning. Just my two cents worth.

[Mare]

Wow! Looks like a good time and a whole lot of work on your part! I'm happy to know that you are out there educating folks about these large birds. True, these guys were meant to be free and wild to live the life they deserve but the truth is there are people out there that want a baby bird and will buy from breeders which perpetuates..breeding! Ugh..

I think cockatoos may have the hardest time with being captive, breeding them should be outlawed, in my opinion. They are here, though and we must give them the best we can to keep them healthy and as happy as they can be.

[Cedardave]

Mare,I agree cockatoo breeding should be brought to an end....particularly the large ones.Im not sure where I stand on the goffins and smaller ones.As for breeding in general,I think bird availability and rescues are very regional.In the US there are many sanctuaries and rescues.In Canada where we are...there in a cockatoo sanctuaty on the west coast,but no bird rescues to speak of.We as breeders are very selective of those we sell to and are by no means a large scaleoperation.Just a few pairs of macaws and greys and a few smaller birds.We require,should the new family that buys from us no longer want their companion,the bird is to be returned to us.While there is an avian welfare coalition where we live, they charge to take in birds.As a result,we have taken in a number of birds that were healthy but were either going to be released into freedom...a death sentence in our climate,or outright be killed by their irresponsable owners.My morals are completely against this kind of action so often they end up here in quaranteen and become part of our family.

[Mare]

Dave, it sounds like you have a good operation concerning your birds, I'm happy to know this :).