So I recently got into an argument with a friend of mine who rescues animals. She was mad at me for not taking on a rescue and instead going with a breeder for Milo. She thinks I was being selfish for not adopting a bird. Her opinion was that most parrots aren't lucky enough to get an owner like me and since I have the ability and means, it was my responsibility to adopt if I wanted another bird. I know I'm one of the better choices for a parrot owner. Primarily because I can take a bleeding bite everyday and will still let the bird out for training/interaction everyday. I did this for 3 years with ex husband's conure, who hated me and wanted me dead. Enough to fly across the room just to bite me.
So why didn't I adopt? I wanted an eckie. I would not settle for a species I wasn't passionate about. I could not find one that was willing to adopt to people out of state. I don't use craigslist for personal reasons.
In the end my vet said Milo was essentially a rescue when you consider he only had a couple more weeks to live if he stayed with that breeder. I was mad at the breeder, heartbroken at Milo's state. But completely unwilling to send him back to the son of ***** for a refund, which I was told was my only option. I thought Milo's life was more important than sticking it to the breeder.
Now I feel a little like...maybe my friend was right. I will never regret Milo, but I feel very guilty about supporting such a terrible breeder. I love my little fruit vulture but I had no idea breeders could be so bad. I was spoiled with my previous breeder. That breeder encouraged me to come by at least once a week when the chicks were still being hand fed so they would know me when we went home. They were in perfect health when I adopted them and I still have behavioral support to this day from the lady I adopted her from. I now see how rare that is. Anyway...I guess I just wanted to get that off my chest and wanted to know if anyone else has the same guilt.
So why didn't I adopt? I wanted an eckie. I would not settle for a species I wasn't passionate about. I could not find one that was willing to adopt to people out of state. I don't use craigslist for personal reasons.
In the end my vet said Milo was essentially a rescue when you consider he only had a couple more weeks to live if he stayed with that breeder. I was mad at the breeder, heartbroken at Milo's state. But completely unwilling to send him back to the son of ***** for a refund, which I was told was my only option. I thought Milo's life was more important than sticking it to the breeder.
Now I feel a little like...maybe my friend was right. I will never regret Milo, but I feel very guilty about supporting such a terrible breeder. I love my little fruit vulture but I had no idea breeders could be so bad. I was spoiled with my previous breeder. That breeder encouraged me to come by at least once a week when the chicks were still being hand fed so they would know me when we went home. They were in perfect health when I adopted them and I still have behavioral support to this day from the lady I adopted her from. I now see how rare that is. Anyway...I guess I just wanted to get that off my chest and wanted to know if anyone else has the same guilt.