Pet bird sales have boomed in the past 30 years and they rank #3 in pets, right behind cats and dogs. Estimates range from 20 to 65 million pet birds have been sold in the US. Knowing what we know about the true needs of parrots and how few of those needs are even minimally met by bird owners and how likely they are to be sold, rehomed or surrendered to a shelter, it is really heartbreaking to think that people who call themselves bird lovers intend to carry on, business as usual, with no care for the pet birds, what they endure and the surplus bird crisis. If you're not quite sure that there really is a crisis, please read this carefully researched and supported article by award-winning animal welfare journalist Mira Tweti and/or the book that grew out of that initial effort. Plenty to Squawk About - Los Angeles Times http://articles.latimes.com/2003/jul/20/magazine/tm-parrots29 Also- Mira wrote a book on the subject (they're on sale at Amazon right now). Of Parrots and People: The Sometimes Funny, Always Fascinating, and Often Catastrophic Collision of Two Intelligent Specieshttp://xargs=15kpjg17xst5auwuf0l_ixebqukwwbl5w9h8oaeuikh91wg3ztvvyupa7by_viy... The next SF Animal Welfare Commission meeting will be at City Hall on Thursday 7/8 at 5:30. I'm going to be there and Mira (who is flying in for it) will be too. PLEASE COME AND SUPPORT THE BIRDS. See below for what out of state breeders have to say... ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Mary Long Date: Sat, Jul 3, 2010 at 1:33 PM Subject: More out-of-state activity re: proposed SF Ban To: Mickaboo administrative staff , Mira Tweti < miratweti@parrotpress.net>, Elizabeth Young , "Vincent J. Hrovat" <1217@vhrovat.org> An out-of-state friend has sent me this link from PIJAC: http://pijac.org/_documents/ca_san_fran_ban_on_dog_sales.pdf And this from a bird-breeder board involving "NAIA Trust": *ALERT: Oppose the proposed ban on selling birds and animals in SF pe *http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bird_Breeder-Hobbyist/message/8495;_ylc=X3oDMT... Posted by: "Kathy Jul 2, 2010 12:23 pm (PDT) If you haven't already done so, please take a few moments *now* to advise SF officials that you oppose the proposed ban on selling birds and animals in SF pet shops. Historically, what's begun on the west coast hasn't remained there very long... Thank you! Kathy Houston TX ============ ========= ========= = PLEASE CROSS POST FAR AND WIDE! Hello friends: I am asking you to get the word out and have folks respond using the link below. My birds thank you. We’ve gotten over 550 capwiz responses – thank you for your participation! If you haven’t already, please click on the link below and oppose this horrible proposed ban. The Commission of Animal Control & Welfare has drafted a plan to eliminate the sale of small animals and birds from San Francisco pet stores. San Francisco residents wanting small animals or birds would have to go out of the City to get them. We think this will be detrimental to the City economy, State sales tax and long time family owned businesses that are the pride of San Francisco. Most importantly, this plan will take away your right to choose a pet in San Francisco. Many begin their lifelong love of animals with the guinea pig or parakeet brought home from their local pet shop. Please send a letter using the capwiz tool [found below] to oppose this draconian proposed ban. Click on the link below to let SF elected officials know you oppose this ban (whether you live in the city or not): http://tinyurl. com/2arfyq3 http://tinyurl.com/2arfyq3 -or- http://www.capwiz. com/naiatrust/ issues/alert/ ?alertid= 15168701& type=CUhttp://www.capwiz.com/naiatrust/issues/alert/?alertid=15168701&type=CU The Commission of Animal Control & Welfare will hold its monthly hearing at San Francisco City Hall on July 8th. Please let me know if you can attend. We would like to have a strong showing at this hearing. We have a website for up to date information at http://www.protecto urpreciousanimal s.org/.http://www.protectourpreciousanimals.org/ Thanks, Carol -- Elizabeth Until they all have homes, don't buy, don't breed- adopt. www.RescueReport.org www.MickaCoo.org http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGjyooh3Yo0