Hi everyone,
Although I highly agree with the new
animal welfare legislation, it's been a long time coming... I've got
issues with the blanket ban on all non-native parrots. Just to be clear,
I am solely a pet owner of 2 male small parrots (different species)
which are not on the previous ban list of 2007 to 2022). I am not a
breeder or pet store owner. I agree there are serious issues with Monks
and Ringnecks but this problem started in the 70s when some of these
birds escaped or were let go - nobody knows for sure. The Government
should have dealt with this problem then and not 50 years later when the
birds have bred out of control (I wouldn't want to live downtown Madrid
either). So now even if you have a little beloved budgie, you may have
a problem down the road.
At this time, the new
legislation covers all birds, which are not native to Spain. The
government, from what I understand, has 48 months to prepare a detailed
list of specific bird breeds or entirety to be banned from the country.
Will the birds already in Spain be grand-fathered into the
legislation? I wish I had all the answers.
Does anyone
know of a PARROT CLUB within the Valèncian Community or Alicante Community or Spain in
general? I will keep looking or start one myself. Just think of how
many pet birds may be destroyed or actually let go because the owners
can't rehome them in another country? This would be an even worse
problem; or try to give the bird up to a shelter, which they can't
rehome. I'm not sure the politicians really thought this legislation
through or just don't care. General election is coming up and the ban
might appease the population in larger cities, not thinking of the pet
bird owner population in said cities. I'm all for licensing my birds
even to microchip them like my dogs. I wonder if anyone thought of
this? Let me know.
Finally, to all the pet bird parents
out there, please feel free to contact me so we can have a voice
against the prosecution of innocent birds. If you work in a shelter or
veterinarian clinic, please contact me here so we may discuss this matter
further.
Thanks to all.
Julie