Birds In Retail: Press Release

For Immediate Release
October 15, 2003

Governor Davis Signs Landmark Bill Protecting Baby Parrots

Sacramento, CA — Amid the flurry of last-minute bill signing, outgoing governor Gray Davis enacts precedent-setting legislation that protects young parrots in the state. The Animal Protection Institute (API), a Sacramento-based national animal advocacy organization, applauds Davis's signing of the API-sponsored Assembly Bill 202, intended to protect young parrots in the pet trade. The bill will require that parrots be weaned (able to eat on their own) before release from a pet store, and that pet shops must have at least one employee trained in the care and feeding of young birds. California will become the first state in the nation to regulate the sale of unweaned birds once AB 202 takes effect in September 2004.

An inexperienced individual attempting to hand-feed a baby parrot often produces tragic results, including emotional and developmental deficiencies, bacterial infections, burned or punctured crops (stomachs), malnutrition, starvation, or death. AB 202 will protect young parrots and will shield consumers from the emotional and financial costs of caring for a pet who has been sold at too young an age. The law will also be consistent with existing laws that prohibit the sale of other unweaned animals. Petco and others in the pet industry adamantly opposed the bill.

"While Petco claims to be a responsible pet retailer who cares about animals, its actions speak louder than words," says API Senior Program Coordinator Monica Engebretson. "AB 202 is a common-sense animal welfare and consumer protection law — how could anyone oppose it?" she adds.

In January 2003, birds at a Petco store in Redwood City, California, were placed under quarantine by the San Mateo County Health Department after a sick bird purchased from the San Francisco area store tested positive for psittacosis, a potentially fatal disease that can be transferred to humans. In addition, San Francisco recently filed a lawsuit against Petco over the "deplorable" conditions and "brazen violations" of city health and safety standards over the past three years.

Despite Petco's opposition, AB 202 had a broad-based coalition of supporters, including API, the California Veterinary Medical Association, the Avian Welfare Coalition, bird rescue and welfare organizations, individual veterinarians, humane law enforcement officials, and hundreds of bird lovers throughout the state and nation.

"We are pleased with the passage of this historic bill protecting young parrots," says Engebretson. "This will serve as a model for other states and bring attention to the plight of captive birds."

The Animal Protection Institute is a national non-profit animal advocacy organization with 85,000 members and supporters, working to end animal cruelty and exploitation through legislation, litigation, and public education. For more information about API and the organization's mission, campaigns and activities, please visit www.bornfreeusa.org.

For more information on exotic birds, visit www.bornfreeusa.org/a3a_birds.php or contact Monica Engebretson at 916-447-3085 x210.