I just got booted off a Bird page on FaceBook?

[BirdyMomma]

I hate the Internet. Honestly.

That being stated, I (hypocritically) have a Facebook page.

In an effort to gain as much knowledge/information as possible, am on a bunch of different pages all relating to parrots. I was having a back and forth conversation with someone, who was offering me advice, on a thread about citron cockatoos, and I must have mentioned, that Knuckles was purchased from a store.

Next thing I know, I am removed from the page, because they have a "zero-tolerance policy" against people who have acquired their birds through purchase.

My feelings are hurt. I thoroughly respect, and greatly admire everyone who rescues, and re homes birds. I was not, and still may not be adept enough to better the life of a bird with pre existing issues. I will definitely consider it in the future, and it doesn't make me a bad parent for having purchased my birds. I regularly donate, give and offer what I can to others with birds, and bird rescues.

I told the lady how unfortunate it was that because of their exclusionary policy, people cannot learn from their knowledge and experience, and I thanked her for removing me, for I didn't realize I was being looked down upon........

Sad.

 

[cassiepengo]

people can be really crazy

 

[thekarens]

I'll make my .02 short and sweet...hypocrites. I can guarantee you everyone of them has done something at done point that wasn't the best thing for their bird...whether it be not letting it out of the cage because they were busy or giving it a French fry.

There's nothing wrong with getting your bird from a bird store if it's a good store with ethical owners.

Some people want to believe they are morally superior and have a "we three and no more" attitude. I'm sorry you had to experience that.

 

[Kiwibird]

Thats sad (for them). Having a holier-than-thou attitude isn't helping birds. The best way to keep a bird from ever going to a shelter in the first place is for the owner to be able to care for it properly. And that knowledge often comes from networking with other bird owners to prevent the behavioral issues that get birds surrendered. We adopted our bird and I would personally much rather see every bird be bought as a baby and stay in the same, loving home all it's life, than even more turn up in a shelter 5 years down the line. Yes, there is a serious problem with parrots being given up and the shelters are overflowing. But one would THINK a group dedicated to rescuing parrots would jump all over the chance to help someone out now to possibly prevent one more casualty instead of potentially leave someone with no idea what to do who eventually surrenders their bird (not saying you would ever surrender one of your birds, you're actually doing the right thing to learn about your birds, rather this group has their collective heads in not so bright places).

 

[mtdoramike]

Why get your feelings hurt, if anything, I would be ticked off that they did what they did. But if that is their policy and you were in violation of it, then that was surely to be the outcome if the owner or user of the Facebook page found out.

But you are back in the loving arms of The Parrot Forums who doesn't have any exclussionary policies such as those..

 

[crimson]

regardless of where you get your bird from, rescuing is the most selfless act anyone could ever do.

I'm with Mike, I'd be angry....obviously that group doesn't share the same values as you do, too bad for them, they are loosing an awesome parront!!!

 

[strudel]

they have a "zero-tolerance policy" against people who have acquired their birds through purchase.

How'd they get theirs? Personally hunted them down in the rainforest with a net?

 

[Kiwibird]

they have a "zero-tolerance policy" against people who have acquired their birds through purchase.

How'd they get theirs? Personally hunted them down in the rainforest with a net?

So true. Just because you adopt a bird doesn't mean you don't still have to buy the bird. You can justify it as an "adoption fee" all you want, but when it comes down to it, you exchange money to take possession of a live animal. Obviously, adoption fees do go to a good cause, but it's still a purchase any way you cut it. Very few parrots just get handed to people for free.

 

[getwozzy]

Wow- that group sounds very close-minded and hypocritical. You're better off without them!

 

[Anansi]

They actually did you a favor, Michele. They were looking down on YOU?!? Ha! Self-righteous, judgemental, holier-than-thou hypocrites don't deserve to have someone like YOU gracing their pages, anyhow. IMOHO.

they have a "zero-tolerance policy" against people who have acquired their birds through purchase.

How'd they get theirs? Personally hunted them down in the rainforest with a net?

@Strudel: Apple, you are funny!

 

[MomtoPercy]

How'd they get theirs? Personally hunted them down in the rainforest with a net?

Thanks, Strudel my dear! I just choked on a sweet I was sucking and almosrt bloody died!

Michele - forget them. They are very narrow minded and short sighted IMO to have such an exclusion on their page. I agree with Anansi - they are poorer for being without YOU!

 

[Betrisher]

We have an expression here in Australia that describes people like that: they're so keen on themselves, they disappear up their own fundament.

It's no one's business what any of us does with our birds. All we can do is promote a certain standard and hope most of us can live up to that. Some members can't, always, and that's OK. All that matters is we try our best.

I'm assuming their stance on bird-shopping is that it promotes the sale of livestock in petshops? It's a fair point, but it doesn't change the fact that the birds available for sale in shops right now are extremely vulnerable. If the shop goes bust because people suddenly stop shopping there, then what might happen to the unwanted bird when the shop folds?

No, a better solution is to lobby parliament (or its equivalent in other countries) to get animal legislations changed so that livestock cannot be sold through retail shops. There are such moves afoot in NSW, where I live. Already, many of our local petshops are no longer selling livestock, only supplies. Of course, those are the ones I visit, but that wouldn't stop me from buying a needy bird from one of the others if I had the space and the money to save it! And no snooty, self-satisfied facebook group would stop me from doing that either! I keep my own counsel and am active enough when it comes to animal protection laws. I trust others to do the same without clouting them over the head with my beliefs. I'm in a bad mood, now!!! Grrrrrr!!!!!

PS. I forgot to add that you, Birdymomma, are a great bird owner and certainly don't deserve censure from some two-bit drongo on facebook! I omitted to mention that in the first flush of my bad mood. (Which hasn't dissipated yet). Sorry!

 

[MangieSun]

Awe. Isn't it funny how being an administrator on a Facebook page makes one feel like a god? Sorry that happened. That's unfair.

 

[Rizosmom]

this is why I prefer my animals over humans for the most part (even though I work in the human services industry). My animals love me unconditionally and for the most part don't judge me unless they think they are being short changed for treats or affection....I have to say that I do not have a membership with any other forum because I feel that mostly ppl on here are respected and respectful!

I get annoyed with how ppl can be so judgmental and rude when they can hide behind a user name (let's face facts a lot of people even have facebook accts with "nicknames" which is fine unless you are using this as a means to be cruel or to put yourself a pedestal).

 

[Kalidasa]

It brings to mind the South Park episode "smug alert" where they were so pretentious they were constantly bending over and sniffing their own farts!

 

[Terry57]

I also think that the FB page lost a valuable resource in you as well as one of the best parronts I have ever met. They are total hypocrites. The birds in the shops are already here and need good homes just as badly as ones from Craig's list.
I am so sorry you feel bad about it, but it is completely their loss.
Glad you are back here with us where we love you, Knucky, Wingnut and Loki

 

[MonicaMc]

I'm a member of several Facebook groups, although only one is an active 'pet group' (of various species). The groups I'm in are more along the lines of mutations, hybrids, specific species, health, general identification and some personal groups (couple of family groups!).

I find the pet groups to be more immature and unforgiving of things. More likely to make judgments of others. I used to belong to another group that was very highly pet related, and got myself kicked out because I "disagreed" with the group owner. I didn't say that the information she posted was wrong, merely that it might not be true. She blew up at me and wished harm to my flock.



I generally prefer forums myself. Easier to navigate, easier to search for things, easier to organize, etc. Although FB may be more "personal", it tends to have a lot more judgmental posts on it with trigger happy people. Shoot first, don't ask questions later!



Please, don't be bothered by it. There are better people with which you can associate with that wont toss you to the curb for doing something a bit different from some others! That's how we learn - by sharing our experiences with each other! Each person, each pet and each situation is unique!

 

[BirdyMomma]

Thanks everyone, for your kind words, and for having always welcomed us on the forum. I really would not have gotten through some experiences if it wasn't for all of the guidance and advice I have garnered here.

I know I sound like a sap for getting my feelings hurt. I wrote the lady back and told her they were doing everyone a disservice with their exclusionary policy, and she wrote me back telling me she was sure I'm a good parront, and that she did me a favor, by removing me, before the other members ripped me to shreds. (Nice people, right?) I don't care that they 86'ed me, but I will miss seeing the photos of their birds.

Betrisher I am requesting official permission to use the term "fundament" in my dealings with the public today!!!

 

[95talongirl]

You know, I have only been on here for a short time now, and I can tell that all of you have such big hearts.

It is a complete shame that you would get booted over something like that. I'm pretty sure........ that at SOME point in their lives, those people purchased a bird through a retailer. It was probably a budgie or cockatiel, but it's a store purchase. Heck, that's how I got my first birds as a kid! It doesn't make you a "bad person." Abusing that bird makes you a "bad person."

Yes, the unwanted parrot population is a problem. Yes, buying from a breeder or store *may* just keep contributing to the problem, but it's not as bad as it used to be! And one cannot fault a new person who does not know any better. Also, if there is a bird in the store, that's another bird who needs a home. It's a tricky situation, and to be that judgmental about it does not help anything. However, I noticed that ALL of the "Big box" retailers in the chicagoland area DO NOT sell large parrots. They have finches, canaries, budgies, and sometimes cockatiels and conures. I think even these larger chains have come to realize that the parrots, specifically large parrots, are not for everyone!

Good lord, I am sorry you had to endure that. And on the other hand, it's interesting to see that smugness and hyprocracy exists outside of the automotive world. I thought those people were horrible! LOL!

I'm glad you are here. I may not know you that well, (yet) but I enjoy your posts and you have some amazing advise. Like everything in life, everyday is a learning experience. We all strive to be better parronts and people, and I'm thankful for finding this forum.

Thank you!

 

[aether-drifter]

I have seen some pages and websites like that, and I think it's incredibly stupid and mean. I completely understand if their agenda is to PROMOTE rescue only, but to kick someone out of the group because they bought a parrot? Come ON! They could have deleted your post, then PM'd you explaining their stance, if they really don't want breeding and selling discussed. They would be able to educate a lot more people and get their message out better that way.