Please consider an immediate end to the sale of birds in your stores.

As I’m sure you are aware, prior to 1992 it was legal and common practice for humans to remove many species of parrots from the wild to be sold as pets. Parrots are native to Africa, Australia, Continental Asia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Philippines, and Southwest Pacific. There is no species native to the US. The US native Carolina Parakeet was hunted to extinction by 1939.

Post 1992, parrots sold as pets in the US are from breeding mills and private breeders. Parrots can live from 15 to nearly 100 years depending on the species. In the wild, parrots are monogamous and become inseparable from their mate for their life. In the wild they live in flocks, are very social, communicative and territorial. They fly many miles a day in the wild. Parrots are not domesticated pets like dogs and cats. They are wild animals. Parrots DO NOT make good pets! Simply stated, they belong in the wild, NOT in cages in our homes. The pet industry has threatened the parrot population, and birds being kept as pets cannot be returned to the wild.

Please continue your humane efforts by discontinuing the sale of birds in your stores. Your leadership in providing a venue for dog and cat rescue and adoption has made a difference for so many homeless pets. Please broaden that circle to include birds by supporting bird rescue and adoption events. You have a unique opportunity to show communities nationwide the importance of adopting a bird instead of buying one. And with that effort, thousands of unwanted birds can find their own safe and happy new beginning.

As animal lovers, compassionate citizens, and caretakers of this beautiful planet, we have a responsibility to do no harm and to be the voice for the voiceless. Birds belong in the wild, not in cages or breeding facilities.

Let’s come together as a community, and as a culture to allow these beautiful, highly intelligent creatures their rightful place in the wild, where they can live as nature intended, and not for our profit or personal enjoyment.

Petco is creating a compassionate and humane image by removing treats and food made in China, showing you care about providing safe products for our pets. Your sale of birds contradicts this positive image, but you can change that by discontinuing the sale of birds.

Thank you for caring.