The San Francisco board of supervisors is going to vote next month on a proposed ban of bird sales at pet stores. The idea behind the ban is to limit the amount of unwanted pets including pet parrots and birds, which wind up in animal shelters.

A San Francisco city commission was getting ready to vote to prohibit the sale of dogs, cats, and
smaller animals like guinea pigs, hamsters, and rest, when a bird rescue volunteer asked to include feathered friends.

Many pet birds and parrots go unwanted and wind up at parrot and bird rescues or are abused and ignored. Parrots especially are complicated creatures that require specialized care and attention.

“These birds end up in shelters, on Craigslist, surrendered to rescues, set free, threatened to be set free, abandoned at vets,” added Elizabeth Young from the Mickaboo Bird Rescue organization.

A recent buyer of a small parrot at a corporate pet store reported that the store barely prepared them for the responsibility requires being a parrot owner.

The argument is that small birds end up being euthanized like most small animals; therefore it is believed to be the best available option for the animals.

Those against the ban feel that those seeking birds as pets will just travel elsewhere to purchase birds.

“Passing laws to limit the availability of animals won’t work. People love their animals and they’ll find a way to get them whether its legal or not, going outside the city or to underground shops,” said Kevin Whalen from Petco.

What is your opinion on the proposed ban?

Source: www.abclocal.com

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