Hey everybody!
I have a situation for which I need some advice.... Our neighbors (across the street) have acquired some birds over the past month or so and there has been increasing noise from the backyard of their home. I decided to pay a visit a couple of days ago out of concern that I was hearing fighting. I found some fantastic birds in poor living conditions. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I am unfamiliar with the laws for the humane society in this situation. I am also no expert when it comes to the larger birds, but I know enough basics to know that this is a tragedy waiting to happen.
I found nine birds separated into four cages. The cages were quite small, and most only had one perch. There was fresh water and food (yea for that!), but no toys and the birds were extremely crowded. There were 2 cages each holding two male parrots. They were mostly green-feathered with a deep blue set of feathers mixed with the wings. They were frantically bored and were the noise-makers I had been hearing. In the next cage there were 3 budgies - 2 males and 1 female - with eggs laid. Again, this cage had only one perch and the nest (no toys). The other cage held two beautiful yellow male cockatiels - crowded and with two perches. They could not even fly up to the higher perch because they had no wing strength. They looked healthy otherwise. I spoke with one of the people who live in this house (it appears to be more than one family and few speak English), and he assured me that an outdoor aviary was being brought from Laredo to be set up in the backyard. I checked all beaks and feet and found no injuries. I am in Houston, TX, and during this time of year its at least 100 degrees in the shade with heavy humidity. The birds were panting.
My question is this: while these birds obviously would be happier with space and toys, is this actually a "cruelty" case? They all had fresh food and water, the cages are protected from the sun, and there were no apparent injuries. I know that the Houston ASPCA will get involved in a case of neglect or cruelty of all creatures, but I fear that this would not be considered a true neglect situation and they would know I had been the one who called it in (I asked ALOT of questions when I visited). I do not want to risk having them shut me out from helping with whatever means I can if the ASPCA were to visit but not take action. I really am just lost on where the line is drawn here - and perhaps this outdoor aviary will arrive within the next few weeks.
Any advice is welcome! <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
