Possible neglect situation; need advice!

Zellie · Jun 24, 2013

Today I was wandering around my neighborhood, peeking in every alleyway to find a lost kitten. We did eventually find the kitten...I also found a beautiful african grey in one of my neighbors' back yard. It was in a very small, dome-shaped cage, maybe 1/5 the size of the cage my senegal parrot lives in. There were no toys in the cage, the bottom of the cage and the bars (and her feet!) were covered in droppings, and her water was soiled. I noticed a larger empty cage close by, so it's possible that she lives in that one at least some of the time?
I don't want to jump the gun and report the owners to the humane society in case they ARE loving, responsible owners and I just caught them at a bad time. Does anyone have any advice as to how I should proceed?

MikeyTN · Jun 24, 2013

Check again tomorrow! If you can, check once in the morning, once during afternoon and once in the evening. IF he's in there the whole day with the same situation, then yes I would report them.

Wings · Jun 24, 2013

Mikey beat me to the thread

I couldn't have said it better myself. Anyway, i would confront the owners in a kind way, explaining in a N I C E manner that the cage is to small and it needs toys. (don't just blurt it out, and try and make conversation about birds beforehand, so you don't offend them. you ARE on their property when you are talking to them, so i'm pretty sure they could legally shoot you so be careful if you don't know them!) And if they don't change this, report them. If they are getting rid of it, try and hint that you can take it (if you can) Would help the animal immensely.

BoomBoom · Jun 24, 2013

Poor African Grey

Also when you return to check as Mikey said, take pictures if you can.

Zellie · Jun 24, 2013

Thanks for the advice! I'll visit again tomorrow to take pictures and see if she's doing ok. I'll keep everyone posted.

weco · Jun 24, 2013

When you take the pics, time stamps would help if you're going back several times.....

Mayden · Jun 24, 2013

Please please keep us updated. A lot of times owners are neglectful simply because they are blissfully ignorant to appropriate care for birds.

The person I recently got my newest cage from seemed to be feeding his alexanderine on a diet of Sunflower seeds only! He loved his bird dearly - just didn't know what was actually best for him. So sometimes a little education is all that's needed.

Maybe if you see them out and about, mention you've seen they've got a grey and "didnt know they liked birds! i have a bird too blahblahblah" get chatting about it. See what you can gauge about them. Build up some rapport with them and maybe begin sliding in information that way.

Pugtato · Jun 24, 2013

Wings said:
(don't just blurt it out, and try and make conversation about birds beforehand, so you don't offend them. you ARE on their property when you are talking to them, so i'm pretty sure they could legally shoot you so be careful if you don't know them!)

This is a myth. I come from a family of gun owners and collectors, each with their concealed carry permits and this is simply not true. In MOST states a property owner can't legally shoot at someone until they cross the thresh hold into the home (with intent to harm) or in extreme cases of personal protection. You simply can't discharge your weapon in your backyard just because you have a "NO TRESPASSING" sign up. If I remember correctly, legally, someone can be trashing your shed and so long as they are not seeking to physically harm another person or yourself you can't discharge your weapon. Lots of rules and red tape come along with gun ownership, and there is a wealth of misinformation floating around.

However, I would not advise trespassing on someones property. I would simply watch the situation from afar for a few days and depending on the severity of the situation I would call the appropriate authorities. If you wish to avoid that sort of drama and have the means, perhaps offer a cash payment for the bird claiming that you admire it. I would not even mention the birds current condition (this is often taken as offensive by misinformed caretakers), simply offer an amount and see if they jump on it. If they truly don't care for the bird even a low-ball offer might be tempting. I live in a very poor region of the country where animal welfare is incredibly lax and you would be surprised how many animals are rescued with this mindset.

Zellie · Jun 24, 2013

I went to check on the bird about five minutes ago (12:20pm). I did notice a single toy in the cage this time, but the poor thing seems to be subsisting on sunflower seeds and poopy water:/. Plus, it's 60 degrees outside right now, which isn't exactly optimal....
From the state of their backyard, they seem to be hoarders. I've never really seen them come outside.
Here's a picture of the gray:

And here's a picture of the empty cage nearby. They also have a little finch, but he seems to be doing ok. He has food and water, and is in a suitable cage at least...

I'm also going to call a local parrot shop and ask for advice. It drops 10 to 20 degrees every night here. If the parrot is still outside at night, that's a serious problem.

MikeyTN · Jun 24, 2013

I don't think the humane society would do much as he does have food and water available and the cage bottom have been cleaned before. Your only option is ask the owners if they would like to find them a new home.

Zellie · Jun 24, 2013

The only thing is that I'm not sure that now is a good time to bring home a new parrot. We're going to move in a couple of months, but our current apartment is quite small...Still, if they were willing to sell, I'd at least be able to find the gray a better home...

forbey · Jun 24, 2013

Pugtato said:
Wings said:

(don't just blurt it out, and try and make conversation about birds beforehand, so you don't offend them. you ARE on their property when you are talking to them, so i'm pretty sure they could legally shoot you so be careful if you don't know them!)

Click to expand...

This is a myth. I come from a family of gun owners and collectors, each with their concealed carry permits and this is simply not true. In MOST states a property owner can't legally shoot at someone until they cross the thresh hold into the home (with intent to harm) or in extreme cases of personal protection. You simply can't discharge your weapon in your backyard just because you have a "NO TRESPASSING" sign up. If I remember correctly, legally, someone can be trashing your shed and so long as they are not seeking to physically harm another person or yourself you can't discharge your weapon. Lots of rules and red tape come along with gun ownership, and there is a wealth of misinformation floating around.

However, I would not advise trespassing on someones property. I would simply watch the situation from afar for a few days and depending on the severity of the situation I would call the appropriate authorities. If you wish to avoid that sort of drama and have the means, perhaps offer a cash payment for the bird claiming that you admire it. I would not even mention the birds current condition (this is often taken as offensive by misinformed caretakers), simply offer an amount and see if they jump on it. If they truly don't care for the bird even a low-ball offer might be tempting. I live in a very poor region of the country where animal welfare is incredibly lax and you would be surprised how many animals are rescued with this mindset.

While it is true, a property owner can't just shoot you for tresspassing, the castle doctine in place in most states is not concerned about the threshold of your door or that the body falls into or out of the house. You might just be checking on a bird, however, if you are DEAD when the police arrive, there will only be one side to tell your story.

If their story is that you were a tresspasser, you threatened them, and they felt their lives were in danger ... they CAN shoot you in their back yard; their front yard, etc. You will still be shot, you still would be dead, and they could very well get away with it.

Perceived danger is in the mind of the perceiver, not the transmitter ...

Be careful, if you see the owner, tell them that you have been admiring their bird for days and ASK if you could see it. Attempt to make suggestions regarding your experiences with parrots and be prepared at any time to be asked to leave.

Take it from there.

Forbey

MonicaMc · Jun 24, 2013

If acclimated and with proper enclosures to protect from the weather, parrots can withstand a wide range of temperatures. I've seen photos of parrots foraging/playing in the snow and even a small parrot bathing in water while there was snow on the ground.

I don't agree with what this owner is doing (bad cage, bad diet), but just wanted to point out that the bird may be "ok" as long as the weather is not too hot or too cold. Maybe the larger cage is for indoor use when the weather is too extreme?

MissyMe83 · Jun 24, 2013

Personally I think it's horribly disgusting whether it's neglect or lack of knowledge. Makes me sick to my stomach. I think I'd knock and their door and try as hard as possible to be polite and ask if they are looking to give the bird a different home. Actually, let me retract. I'd go home and get real parrot food, a toy or two from my stash and present them while asking. If they are receptive or not I'd say that you wanted to give him/her some better food and some kind of stimulation.

I've actually had an entire box of food, perches, and toys delivered to a vet for their poor Amazon that they had on display in a cage far too small with no toys. They are actually the ONLY avian certified vet in my city believe it or not... pathetic.

Ugh, I'm angry.

Zellie · Jun 25, 2013

I'm angry too. The gray is still outside. It's at least reassuring to hear that she'll probably be ok if the temperature drops. :/
I'm talking to someone from a local avian rescue center about our options. I'll keep everyone informed.

MikeyTN · Jun 25, 2013

It is sad yes, but it is still considered trespassing to go into someone's backyard. So IF the poster have done what Missy says to do, Zellie would probably get the door slammed in the face and being told to never come back or trespassing. Best to tread gently in this type of situation unless they broke the law then get the law enforcement involved. Use common sense and tactics when talking to the owner. Just tell them you were looking for your cat when you saw their grey in the backyard. Then proceed from there.

Zellie · Jun 26, 2013

I was finally able to talk to the owner today. She is a young woman who lives with her elderly mother and a number of very young children (four of them came to the door when I knocked). I nervously explained that I happened to see their grey, and that I had a parrot myself. Then I made up something about how I buy parrot supplies wholesale because it's cheaper, but that it's way more than my parrot could ever use, and asked if they minded me bringing over any extra food or toys I needed to get rid of.
She said it was fine. I handed her some birdie bagels and told her that parrots REALLY loved to chew on them. Her response was, "Really? I didn't know that!"
She said they've had the parrot for about 9 years now, that he normally lives in the house in the big cage, but that he was outside because they were in the process of remodeling their house.
I get the impression that they don't have a lot of money and are completely ignorant about how to properly care for a parrot, but they're not bad people. I tried to explain a little bit about how the cage was far too small and the diet was not good for a parrot, but I'm not sure if she really understands. She just said they'd move him back in the big cage later.
Tomorrow I'm going to bring them some Zupreme (the natural kind). I would share some of Emi's Harrison's, but it'd probably be left out for days and go bad. Does anyone have advice about how to educate her without offending her?

Wings · Jun 26, 2013

Offense is how most people learn. Ever have a teacher that you got in trouble with, and everything that teacher said the rest of the day sunk in? Same deal. Straight out tell them, don't walk around the subject. just say "I need to tell you something important" and continue telling them.

Zellie · Jun 26, 2013

Students have to attend school, though, so teachers have a captive audience. My neighbor could slam the door in my face at any time. I'm sure she has her hands full taking care of her children. She might just decide not to listen to me because she doesn't think what I'm trying to tell her is important. After all, I'm not her teacher. I'm just some random girl she's never seen before who's knocking on her door for some reason....what do I know?
I think it's best to build up a rapport first.

henpecked · Jun 26, 2013

Catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

Possible neglect situation; need advice!

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