Through a whistleblower report, PETA was informed about the cruel breeding of so-called ornamental birds in Ratingen. A PETA investigator and the animal welfare detective from the pet magazine “Hundkatzemaus” then posed as prospective buyers in order to check the information. On site, the breeder led them into a stuffy garage with no daylight, where around 200 birds were kept among the junk. Many of them apparently suffered from behavioral problems, bald feathers and torture. Some of the animals were locked in narrow, dirty cages or transport boxes without water, and others flew unprotected through the garage. Some cages did not even meet the minimum requirements for keeping animals, and there was often a lack of seating and climbing options. In order to check whether and which diseases were prevalent in the dirty breeding facility, the two investigators took two cockatiels with them. When examining blood, feces and feathers, the Düsseldorf Veterinary Clinic found countless infectious diseases and other serious illnesses. The investigators immediately filed a report with the responsible veterinary authority, which, according to PETA information, was already aware of the breeding facility. During the subsequent inspection, the office also discovered infections and initially prohibited the breeder from reselling them until all birds received veterinary care.
“Due to the feather dust, it was hardly possible for us humans to breathe in the dark garage. No wonder that the birds locked up there are sick and many of them have probably already died in agony,” says Jana Hoger, specialist for animal companions at PETA. “We are stunned that the veterinary office did not confiscate the animals immediately. If you don’t want to support the unnecessary proliferation of more birds and such animal suffering, adopt animals from the animal shelter instead of buying them from a breeder or in stores.”
Breeding place of horror
According to its own information, the breeder has been breeding and selling ring-necked parakeets, cockatiels, lovebirds, budgies and many other bird species for over 40 years. Mass breeding like that in Ratingen not only creates unspeakable animal suffering, it also provides the perfect breeding ground for dangerous diseases that can be dangerous for birds, but also for people. The two cockatiels taken with them suffered from pharyngitis caused by spiral bacteria, a chlamydia infection, the beak disease PBFD, pancreatic insufficiency or a lack of digestive hormones, megabacteria and a fungal disease and had to be immediately quarantined. Fortunately, both animals survived the serious illnesses and are now being taken to a rescue center where they can finally lead a species-appropriate life without illness and with plenty of space to fly. The article on this case will run on October 12th, 2024 in the pet magazine “Hundkatzemaus” on VOX.
The suffering of “pet birds” in captivity
For many of the approximately 3.5 million “ornamental birds” living in Germany, captivity leads to [1] to an early death. Flying is an essential need for birds. Preventing them from doing so is tantamount to animal abuse. Free-living birds groom themselves, nibble on branches and leaves and sometimes fly several kilometers every day. In captivity they often suffer from chronic stress. This often leads to behavioral problems such as constant head shaking. Many animals also bite the bars of their cages, tremble, pull out their feathers and mutilate themselves – sometimes so severely that they die as a result. In addition, many of the so-called breeding animals usually suffer from lifelong health problems because their external appearance is the main focus. Like pugs, dachshunds and Persian cats, they are torture breeds. Many “hairstyle canaries” can no longer see because of their feather hoods, or they get corneal injuries from the feathers rubbing on their open eyes, which can even lead to the loss of an eye. PETA calls for an end to painful cage farming. The animal rights organization also advocates for a pet protection law. This is intended to offer protection and enable a species-appropriate life for all so-called pets, most of whom currently live in a legal vacuum.
PETA Germany will celebrate it in 2024 30th anniversary. On this occasion, the organization demands that animals be recognized before the law as persons, i.e. as bearers of interests worthy of protection Fundamental rights receive. PETA’s motto is: Animals are not there to be experimented on, eaten, dressed, entertained, or exploited in any other way. The organization opposes Speciesism a – a form of discrimination in which animals are devalued because of their species.
