Ask PetSmart to Stop Selling Live Animals

During the first part of 2008, 700 PetSmart stores suspended the sale of exotic birds when random tests confirmed that some of the birds tested positive for a deadly bacterial infection. However, PetSmart is in the news again and experiencing more problems related to the sale of live animals, and the company is being blamed for the death of a 63-year-old father, a Vietnam Veteran, after tests confirmed he had contracted Psittacosis from a cockatiel purchased from one of their outlets. Please Take Action to help IDA put an end to the suffering of birds and halt the risk of people contracting avian diseases.

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Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

As a consumer, I am writing to express my concerns regarding the plight of unwanted, homeless parrots. Parrot rescue sanctuaries across the nation share my belief that selling birds and treating them like merchandise contributes to an increasing population of unwanted, homeless, suffering birds.

(Edit Letter Below)

The proper care and housing of exotic birds is complicated and time consuming. Most consumers are ill-prepared and unable to handle the wild traits that most birds exhibit. Screaming and chewing are natural behaviors that most parrots demonstrate. Even hand-fed babies can learn to bite due to untrained handling and they frequently become aggressive once they mature.

Captive birds suffer in captivity and demonstrate psychological and physical stress, leading to illness and unstable behaviors such as self-mutilation, aggression, excessive screaming, neurotic pacing, or extreme introversion. These behaviors often leave their caretakers frustrated and angry, and are reasons that lead many people to surrender the birds. In spite of these facts, most pet stores rarely tell consumers the whole truth. Instead, the birds are included in promotions and they are advertised as though they will make "the perfect pet," resulting in impulse purchasing.

There are a limited number of credible sanctuaries in the nation and they are filled to capacity. It is cruel to keep marketing birds when more and more unwanted birds become homeless. Birds should not be treated like objects. They have needs that most captive environments can't provide.

Please promote adoption and rescue and stop selling live animals. Focus on selling high quality supplies instead. In doing so, you will appeal to the many consumers who, like me, want to patronize compassionate, responsible companies that care about the plight of all species.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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