Cockatiel in questionable condition at the pet store. Should I buy it?

Question

Theres a pet store near me that's been going down hill for years now (the owner has obviously lost interest in it). I went in there to see if they had any good deals on bird cages because I'm going to be getting a cockatiel soon. I decided that since I was in there I'd look at the cockatiels, and I found them in less then satisfactory conditions. The one I was interested in was in a dirty cage, and what was left of his tail feathers (which wasnt much at all) were bent and mangled. The cages are behind a glass door so I couldnt really interact with them, but I bent down and put my finger on the glass and he came over to check me out. He seemed interested, and only slightly cautious of me. I feel so bad for him, and since I was going to get one anyway, I was wondering, should I buy him, and save him from his bad conditions, or should I go to a breeder? I dont know much about cockatiels (Im reading up before I buy one, dont worry), so I dont know if thats a sign of sickness or not.

Answer 1

Whatever you decide to do, PLEASE oh PLEASE report this store to proper authorities!!!! Just reading your question made me want to cry! And after reporting the place, keep on checking to make sure that something's being done. Contact your local paper to do a story if necessary. This story breaks my heart...
I have a cockatiel that is over 12 years old and love him to pieces! He often has a raggedy tail because he's a klutz!! :)
It's one of the things I love about him! LOL!!
Don't close your eyes to this situation or this awful place will continue to operate and make these poor little animals suffer!
Thanks for having a kind heart!
lulu

Answer 2

Go to a breeder and give them your support and money. By purchasing the cockatiel, it will just support the owner and he'll go on to buy more cockatiels. You should never buy an animal just for the sake of saving it from its conditions in a pet store because it only encourages them to continue their business practices. Instead, look at reputable breeders and write a letter to the owner or ask to talk with the manager of the store. I've gone to pet stores and complained to the managers, and sometimes they do actually listen and try to change what they're doing--I tell them that the conditions are unsatifactory and that I would never buy from a store that mistreats their animals--dirty cages, no water or food, sick/unhealthy animals, etc. I also tell them that I'll be back later and if it's not corrected, I'll complain to an animal rights group.

Answer 3

NEVER "rescue" an animal from a irresponsible pet store. When people keep bailing them out, they never learn their lesson. And because retail inventory records are based on total movement, not who paid how much for what animal and why, taking an animal only frees up space for another one, but also potentially tells the owner/manager that the demand is UP and they may need MORE! So although you might save that ONE cockatiel, you are condemning many, many more.

Find, and support, a responsible breeder. Or better yet, ACTUALLY rescue a bird by adopting one from an animal shelter. Just go to google.com and search for bird rescue. Mickaboo is one that I know of.

You can also visit http://www.petstoreabuse.com for info on reporting the store and making a real difference for ALL the animals in the store.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Generally #1 is true, and #2 can be either or. In 1990, I purchased a cockatiel from Woolworth's (don't know if you're old enough to remember that store, but they were all over America at one time), and it was about a year old at the time, it lived a total lifespan of 10 years.

Answer 5

I'm like you a rescuer of animals and I would buy it--if I didn't have any other birds so that if the bird is sick he wouldn't contaminate the others. Sick birds can be very very expensive to nurse back to health. I would be glad to pay for the bird and be sure that even if it died, it would die in a clean cage with lots of food and love. If the cage is really dirty, it certainly shows a lack of care. That probably means the bird is not being fed properly or even on a regular basis. He may just need good food and a bath. With good food his feathers should grow out in time. Do it. You will feel very good about yourself and you will deserve it.

Answer 6

Living in a dirty cage there is a chance of sickness. Depending on age, the missing tail feathers could be a sign of clumsy babyhood, but it can also be a sign that there is an underlying infection going on if he is actively chewing on them and breaking them.

Only take this on if you are willing to immediently take him to the vet for a full check up and bloodwork. This will cost you an extra $100+ to either make sure he is healthy, or to get the proper medications to get him healthy.

Check out these sites:
http://www.cockatiel.org
http://www.cockatielcottage.com

Answer 7

What a gut wrenching decision,,, I would buy him, then the second he was paid for I would tear the *** off the owner. Do not buy any other birds until you are sure his health and beauty is restored. Let him know that you are only getting him to save him from a nasty existence. Then call the local ASPCA and report the conditions the animals are living in.

Answer 8

The breeders are the ones who supply the pet stores with birds to begin with. There are few reputable breeders of exotic birds. There are so many that need homes. Any bird you get at a pet store needs a vet check ASAP. Pet stores and breeders are notorious for selling birds with sickness and disease. If it was me I probably woudl be at the vet with the bird right now getting his checkup. I just picked one up at animal control for the same reason.

Answer 9

It is a catch twenty two. I think in a situation like that I probably would help out the poor thing it could be the conditions more than an illness I would have it checked out as soon as you get it. Also find out the health contract just in case there is (hopefully not) I hope that all works out for you and the 'tiel.

Answer 10

You can purchase this bird, as long as you know of a bird vet that you can schedule an appointment with, the same day. The loss of feathers could just be due to stress, but if there's any illness, you'll want to nip it in the butt as soon as you can. Birds can be ill for a long time before showing any signs that it is bothering them.