I can't believe my neighbors leave their poor birds out all day and night!! I let them know they forgot them out there at night but they don't care.
I have chased cats away constantly from their cage that hangs by the neighbors front door and let them know about that too. But thye could care less. Poor birds.

Also aren't mosquitos dangerous to small birds?

Man some people make me so mad!!

Oh my---I really despise to hear something like this...that is abuse...I've known that animals will reach inside the cage and get birds and pull them through the bars.... Isn't there someone you can call and report this to???
I just hate to get started with this so I'm going to back out and hopefully something can be done about it....grrrrr.
See if there is anything you can do dear...Hoping you can.....

It is very dangerous unless they are in a screened room. We have friends that got home after dark and had left their birds out on a porch. Racoons chewed the foot off of one of their cockatiels. The vet had to amputate the foot.

Unfortunately there are many pet owners that just look upon their pets as stupid animals. They say they love their pets but their actions show otherwise. I once visited inside my nextdoor neighbors house for their childs birthday party and could smell something musty but just couldn't place that smell. Then my husband and I passed this little dark cubby area and there was a medium size bird cage with 2 gorgeous parrots (I don't know what kind there were never saw anything like them before) They were about quaker sized but one was mostly pink and the other blue, anyway they were on a higher perch and I am not joking, the area where they perch the most had old poop up to their tail feathers. That cage had not been cleaned in months if not longer. That musty smell was old bird poop. My husband casually asked if they would be interested in selling him the birds (he just hated the conditions they were living in) but they claimed that they love their birds and would never want to get rid of them. No my defination of love. Their house was otherwise clean and they were nice people. I just think some people don't look at things from their pets prospective. Whenever I am cleaning my bird room I make sure to tell them what lucky birds they are that their "parents" love them enough to clean up all their poop and keep them in wonderful cages because all bird are not so lucky. If you really feel thier pets are in danger call animal control annomously as not to start a feud but to make sure those little darling don't get hurt.

lol i might get flamed here, but if they don't care, would they notice if they came out to find the birds "missing"? that would be my first thought: bring them home with me i doubt i could ever steal someone's pet, but the thought would cross my mind.

do you have room for them? time? money? you could offer to take them off their hands. in a non-offensive way of course.

kris

I had a friend years ago (now deceased) who always hung her Amazon and her Sun Conure outside at the BACK of the house in the mornings and took them in in the afternoon. She came home from shopping one day to find that the Amazon, cage and all had been stolen. They found that one of the teen boys who played in a band with her son stole it and she got it back, but the Sun Conure was not so lucky. She continued to hang them outside after she got the Amazon back and went outside one afternoon to bring them in and there was a BIG chicken snake in the cage with a very full belly. (Dang that made me cry!) The snake was so big with the Sun conure inside that he couldn't get back out through the bars. Snake wound up dead and she no longer hung any birds outside. If the bird had digested (that happens pretty quickly), she'd have never known what happened to the bird.

That was probably 30 years ago and it still makes me sick and angry to think of it.
I do wish someone would steal the birds you speak of. I may get flamed too, but the birds would be better off and that's what counts.

I'm casting my lot in with the group hoping the birds mysteriously "vanish." I'd certainly be tempted to do it. I take my baby outside in his cage, but never, ever, EVER leave him alone out there. EVER. How could you do that, knowing a cat or something could come by? He comes in when I come in and if I think he looks cold -- yes, it's August, but I'm a worrywart -- back in he goes.

Some people do think animals don't have feelings. Those are people who should have china figurines or plush toys and not a live creature depending on them.

My dogs and cats don't stay outside, let alone my BIRD!!! We only take her cage outside to get it all washed up and she is NEVER unattended when we do that. People are so ignorant sometimes. I am all for the mysterious disappearing act.....

I'm VERY tempted to steal them let me tell you. But I also don't want to get caught. We all share the same courtyard.

But Animal Control out here in Spokane won't do a dang thing about this situation. So I may just steal them and rehome them somehow. If can figure out a way to get them to someone.

Because if I kept them the old owners would hear them singing everday. We live right across from them, so hard to hide their singing. I can't believe I'm saying this..but does anyone here live in Spokane and want them? If so I will do it then.

YOU GO GIRL!

They are two lovely budgeriers. One yellow and green and one blue one.

My mom lives in Waller, TX which is above Houston. The people across from her have budgies that they keep outside all the time. They don't care what the weather is like. The first ones they had died and then they go and get more. My mom was pissed about it all the time. A few weeks ago the idiots went away for awhile and left the bird outside. My mom had finally had enough. She went over there at night and took the bird. She said his water was green and his food was all mushy as it had been storming. She gave it to my niece who is currently loving the fid to death. The first thing she did was take it to the vet, good girl. I just don't understand how people can be so stupid.

I don't know if thats the best answer. Why don't you start up conversation with them and mention one of the stories you heard about birds being killed by wild animals when being left outside...then ask them "aren't you ever worried about that?" And if they seem to get the point let it go...and if not...then steal them lol

Goodness, what is all this talk about stealing?!?! It doesn't matter if the birds are being left out outside or not. What you are talking about is illegal and, in my opinion, much worse then what those owners are doing. If you do steal the birds, what happens if you get caught? Is it worth getting a criminal record for the rest of your life???

Please, use some common sense here.

If you truly want to do something about this. Then complain, complain, complain, There must be some sort of manager/caretaker of the building that you can complain to that the birds are making too much noise outside. Then, take photographs of them at night and take them to animal control (the city, or the shelter). You say that animal control will do nothing, but have you asked?

I just don't believe stealing and doing illegal behavior is the answer here. It is morally wrong.

Yes, stealing is illegal. But it's immoral to treat an animal the way those birds are being treated. Saving them is not what's immoral. If you've tried talking to the people and they won't do anything different, and if animal control won't help, somebody has to do something. Is there any kind of rescue organization in Spokane? They might be able to advise you.

No doubt about it. But two wrongs don't make a right. The fact remains, that no matter what the reason behind it, stealing is wrong. What kind of message are you sending out to the youth of this world when you say that stealing is okay depending on the situation?

Yeah and after you talk to them and you call the ASPCA, PETA and the pound and no one will do anything just stand back and watch the birds die cause stealing is worse.

The youth of the world aren't my worry; that's why they have parents. These are living creatures, not inanimate possessions, and I would heartily agree that stealing is wrong. "Rescuing" a creature whose life is in danger due to neglect and abuse is something altogether different, and I would cheerfully do it right in front of my pastor if he happened to be nearby. If they love the birds and are trying to take care of them and are just not doing a good job because they don't know any better, that's not the same as wllful or deliberate neglect, but it doesn't sound like that's the case.

I find this a very sad statement. The young of the world should be every persons worry. They are our future. There is a saying that it takes an entire village to raise a child. There is a reason behind that. We ALL set examples, whether we have children or not.

I'm just surprised that people can justify something such as stealing. Especially since not one of you knows the full situation. The original poster said nothing about the birds being without food/water. There was nothing about them not having access to shade. Just that they are outside during the day/night. And for that, the owners are condemned and should have their pets stolen from them. How very sad indeed.

I'm through with this thread. I only hope that the original poster has enough respect for the law to not take it into her own hands. There are better ways to deal with this.

zoinks i didn't mean to start an uproar with my (not entirely tongue in cheek) statement.

i can see both sides of this equation. someone who seemingly doesn't care about the welfare of their birds. and someone who sees the potential for harm to said birds. i think the OP said she mentioned that the birds were forgotten outside overnight and the owners didn't seem to care. seem being the operative word.

i would approach the offending neighbors once again, in a non-threatening manner, and see what happens. if they don't care, call your humane officer. if the humane officer won't do anything, try a rescue i guess.

unfortunately, when one feels such a passion, one's judgement can become cloudy. i don't know how i would react if i lived next to/within earshot of someone who i suspected of animal neglect/abuse. would i say something to them directly? would i call animal control? i hope i am never in that position.

kris

I agree w/qtqp entirely! i personally would try again w/the owners and your animal shelter and start from there...it makes me utterly sick to think of ppl ABUSING these defenseless creatures that CANNOT defend themselves! how would they like to be put out on the street and "FORGOTTEN" about?!?! and i don't look at it as stealing if these birds ARE being neglected..more of a rescue!!!! id rather see that happen then allow them to die!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately there's just no way around crazy people. They're everywhere apparently. And unfortunately it isn't a crime to be stupid with your animals. I really feel for you having to watch the neglect day in and day out. Hope things work out for those poor budgies.

I keep my Breeding pair in an outdoor flight cage, its on long legs so its away where cats/critters cant get to it. It also has tiny mesh wire (( thick and strong though )) so nothing could reach through. I also used mosquito netting all over it so no buggies can get in.

My Breeders LOVE being outside, they splash around in their huge water dish when its warm (( they are in the shade so they dont get to hot. They also love when it rains (( the roof of the cage has been waterproofed )) they sing and peek out of the nesting box laughing at the pidgons sitting on the telephone wire getting soaked.

I suppose if the cage isnt built for the outdoors bugs and critters could make the experiance alot less enjoyable though. I know if i left my Yoshi out in his cage alone at night he would be so afraid!

Ok these people are russian and the wife doesn't speak the best english. But I have tried numerous times. They know what I have asked. As the husband understands English fully, so I spoke with him.

Also it is so apparent that they not really care for their animals- or other people's. My Border Collie dogs are now 3 yrs old.

When they were 4 mos old they were both fixed.

One day I had both pups outside ON LEASH after they had just got home from the vet after being fixed. They were still woozy. I had both dogs leashes in one hand, and was bent over with the other hand in a bag, picking up doodoo.

Well,this russian couple's 5 y/o son walked up and kicked my female, Border Collie , Pepper- For NO reason- ON THE DAY SHE HAD BEEN SPAYED!!

Needless to say I was BS!! I've seen their son throwing rocks through a chain link fence at the neighbors dogs too. He also runs after me, barking and growling, almost everytime I take my dogs outside on leash to walk them!!

About a month ago a small orange kitten showed up at my door. Due to allergies I eventually rehomed him- though he was stolen 4 days - from the guy. But the kitten was outside a day or two, as I wanted to see if it would go home. Well, their 5 y/o son was chasing it kicking the poor thing!! And I had to rescue it twice!!!

Oh and let me mention the four times that they came home, and tried to run over my dogs ON PURPOSE in their driveway or in our dirt alley when we were all outside playing ball with them off leash. The wife even laughed about it as she was doing it!!


It is so VERY apparent that these people donot care for animals and their kids even show it teh same tendencies.


And the saddest thing is that Animal Control out here in Spokane won't do a thing!!! These birds have been outside when it was down to under 40 outside!!! (Don't ask me how they survived!!!)

So you see, this has been going on for awhile. So if I'm wrong to feel as I do, then you tell me what to do then....

After your explanation of love these people portray and no protection from animal control----sorry Carrie---but GO TAKE THEM AWAY NOW--------lets just say they need to be rescued....and thank you for getting those birds out of that horrendous situation.....

Please give us a follow up, if I lived closer I'd give you a big hug for doing what HAS to be done, and heck I'd even go take them myself....

Living in Alaska with a LOT of orthodox Russians, who don't speak the best English either, I have learned that they, as a whole, do not appreciate animals as we do. They will not swerve to miss an animal in the road; they feel that dogs are an 'unclean' animal. I wouldn't want to know what they think of birds then. And generally the wives are treated as nothing more than a breeding horse. I believe it's in the way they're brought up. I, for one, don't know how the women get through an Alaskan winter in those silk skirts. But I see your point.

I am not sure if I agree with the 'rescuing,' though I might be tempted to myself. But something does need to be done for those poor birds, and it seems you're the only person to do it. I believe you need to think it through, and then persue the best course of action that you decide. If you think rescuing them after exhausting all other options, then do so. You are the only one who has the power to do this.

Good luck! And keep us posted, no matter what you decide.

hmm. i was thinking their behavior was cultural also. not all cultures treat pets as most americans do (like family members), so it's hard for us to see things from another point of view. my first thought is still to "rescue" them yourself, but i will be honest and say that i would feel very guilty regardless of how they are thought of and treated within that family unit. i can't personally wrap my head around the "i'm gonna get an animal but not pay attention to it or make sure it thrives more than the bare minimum" mindset, but after a few episodes of animal precinct i know others behave that way. i'm a very law and order kinda person - almost goody goody if you were to ask around. the only law i break is the speed limit lol.

here's what >I< would do in your situation. some things to consider: IMO, it's not a blatant abuse/neglect case, at this point maybe just something you aren't comfortable with. the only people i know of who are legally authorized to confiscate someone's property are the police, and as sad as it makes me, in the eyes of the law most of the time pets are property. and remember there are wild colonies of quakers who manage to survive winters in brooklyn and chicago (in fairness, tho, i don't know of any wild budgie colonies lol). are you able to check into the cage and see the conditions? i would call my non-emergency police number and ask to talk with an officer. explain the situation and see what they suggest. in my town, animal rescues are done by the police - we have a dedicated humane officer who handles those matters such as stray cats, etc. our pet shelter does NOT do that job. i work for public health in a bigger city and we have an animal control department, and i don't know what they do in these situations either (i know they handle strays and one story about a cow that got loose...).

i don't envy your situation. this one is a tough call. good luck with your decision.

kris

Wow, that is horrible! Is it possible to report all the abuses they have committed against your own pets? That has to count for something, right? I mean, they purposely damage your "property," and they can be fined for that or something, right? After all, it's like taking a bat to your neighbor's car. I can't believe that that little kid kicked your poor dog, and on the day she had been spayed no less! There has to be something you can do about all of that, and maybe that will lead to a police seizure of the birds. After all, if they treat everyone else's animals like that, what does that say about their own pets?

Personally, I would try to get the police involved as much as possible, and then see if they can make a case for removing the birds. Bring up every offense you can think of, and see what they can do about the situation. I'm not sure that stealing the birds is the right answer either. After all, even if it is for good intentions, if you get caught, you'll have it on your criminal record, and the neighbors might just buy some more birds to replace the ones they've lost. It could just perpetuate the problem and cause harm to more birds.

I agree entirely with Carrie. My first thoughts reading this thread yesterday was that it wasn't a huge deal, many people leave their animals outside; as long as they have food, water and shelter they are able to survive outside. It might not be what you or some other people consider the 'ideal' living conditions but everyone has a different idea on how to care for animals. But I knew that wasn't the answer you were looking for, so I didn't reply...

Reading it later on I was flabbergasted at the thoughts of stealing someone else's pet! They belong to someone else and it's not right just to take someones pet just because YOU don't feel they are being adequately taken care of. We have neighbours down the street that keep their Husky outside, he's been an outside dog for the last 11 years and many people have complained because they feel sorry for him (no one has outside dogs here) but there is nothing anyone can do because he's a Husky and that's the only breed Animal Control aren't able to rescue. Although I find it sad that he's been forced to live outside his entire life I would never complain or steal him because I felt he wasn't being taken care of properly. His owners LOVES him, he's fed well and taken care of, he just lives outside and that's his owners choice, just because his views on raising an animal are different than ours doesn't mean his are wrong!

If you honestly feel that something isn't right then find someone in the city that can help you, or try to talk to the lady... but please don't steal them. Please keep in mind that MANY animals, including birds that live outside all year round and in most cases there is nothing wrong with that as long as it's done properly. Even though they don't sound like the best people to own animals, stealing/rescuing isn't the best answer. Every culture treats animals differently and what we might think is totally wrong, is acceptable to them...

So many different feelings here and Really Carrie is so right! But in another sense I can
pretty much agree with Julie to take them. Parakeets may be inexpensive but if it were a grey
and a person was caught doing this it would be a very different ball game as far as criminal
charges...what a hard call.... My heart does agree with Julie but I dunno...
a black and white situation!

Unfortunately, Spokane doesn't have a very good system for our animals protection especially exotics...Which parrots, budgies, etc fall under. By law it is legal for them to be left outside provided they have adequate food and water and some type of shelter. And since that has a very broad spectrum of definition its hard to say that an overhang from a roof or porch isn't adequate for a bird...

I agree with Carrie about stealing...Stealing is stealing and there is no justification for it. What is the difference between stealing a dog out of a fenced yard which happens all the time.

If your that concerned over it, I would suggest you call Spokanimal Care and register a complaint, it can be a done so that your name or address is not given to the offending party. They'll go out and check on it and then if they see it as neglect or cruelty they have the means to take care of the problem.

Police and animal control won't do anything. I've honestly exhausted all options.

I'm a goody goody too. That is why this is so hard for me. I'm warring with myself on this.

I DON'T want to steal them, but at the same I hate to see them so neglected.

Now they look to be fed and watered. Cage is so so on cleanliness.

But why would the owners ignore me when I tell them that there are feral cats and domestic ones EVERYWHERE out here and trying to get their birds?? I have had to chase numerous ones away!!

When I was 9 yrs old, my mom's cats killed three of my budgies. She just kept buying me more!!! It was awful!!

I really hate to see anyone else go through that. The loss of a pet is so hard.

I honestly think that the owner's are just ignorent.

And yes the wife is a brood mare. So sad. They live in a 2 bedroom house. A wife, husband,son,daughter the wife's brother and girlfriend... and the wife and husband have another kid on the way....

I think that they are just too busy for their birds.

i've been thinking alot about this because when i said what i did originally (would anyone miss them if they turned up missing) i guess i was speaking from emotion more than anything else. but, as i have thought about this more and more, i was wondering: what if mom's life is such that these birds are what gives her joy in her life, and her husband is overbearing and insistant that they stay outside if she wants to keep them. i have the whole scenario in my head and i have to agree that theft is not the answer. aside from the obvious reasons, of course, but also because of what carrie-anne pointed out. we don't know the whole story.

i want to apologize to anyone i upset for even mentioning it because, as i said, it was a gut reaction to a description of a situation, and hardly the best option for the OP to choose.

kris

wow what a thread! as hard as it is (believe me i know)...they are not your animals and you cannot take them. Think of how you would feel if they found out it was you and decided to steal one of your animals to get back at you. You just can't do it. Have you offered to take them? Maybe they really don't care one way or the other and would give them to you? Maybe you could even offer money?! I know its hard.

Have you asked if you could "purchase" the birds from them? I am sooo sorry your having to go through this bc i know how hard it is to see something like that go on and on and noone is willing to help..but i would if they'd be interested in selling them...maybe if you nag enough they'll eventually give in....but if they have that many ppl living in a 2 bedroom house, i seriously doubt they'll ever bring them in the house...they feel that those birds are MEANT to be outside in my opinion....this thread has made me sooo upset....thats why i can never watch that animal precinct show b/c i want to rescue all those poor animals!! and if you ever see them w/no food or water i would take pictures for proof of animal cruelity!!!! my heart goes out to you!

Is there anyway you can video tape the 5 year old kicking your dogs??? then you would have at least that

I wouldn't even give him a chance to get near the dogs again. They are now growling and lunging at him and his teasing. Would rather not take that chance.

Honestly I would prefer that the birds stay with them. Just that they take better care of them. I don't want to take anyone's pet. Just don't want to see them suffer. We had a WICKED wind storm tonight, here in Spokane. No one took them in. Now it is raining out. Poor birds.

I haven't read anyone's post except for the original poster. I personally think you should go and talk to the people and tell them that having their birds outside is cruel. Sorry if I don't know the rest of the story, but I lived in Deer Park, WA, about 45 min North of Spokane and if I let my birds, (a quaker and a conure) outside in their cages without any protection, they would of been eaten alive by mosquitous, and also it was very, very HOT outside. I just so hope they have protection. I just couldn't imagine!!!! I, myself, if it was ME, I would go talk to the people and let them know what they are doing to their poor birds. Sorry about any one else's opinion, but this is just the way I feel.

Ok the thing is, I HAVE spoken with them and many times. I'm telling you they don't care. It's sad and really bothering me.

I think it is time to get the animal control out there and if that can't be done, then I guess you have to wash your hands of it. You can't steal them, but you can offer to BUY them and then rehome them. Just tell them that these birds are NOT meant to be out in the elements without protection and tell them that you have homes for them, or tell them that you are turning them over to Animal Control, even tho it might be lying. I am kind of thinking that they might understand the word ILLEGAL!!!

1) They will not sell them.
2) Animal Control will not get involved.
3)I HAVE spoken to them too many times.

So guess that's all I can do.

I'm with Carrie~Anne 100% here. You can't just say that it is o.k. to steal just because it seems to be an answer. Then you would be condoning anyone for stealing anything if they decided they had a "good" reason.

I would be in favor of telling them that they would be reported. It may or may not do any good, but it's about all you've got to work with if they won't sell them.

Trish

Well, against everyone else's opinions, I would try to find a way to get them away from those people. I don't know how you are going to do it, whether it be by threatening or what, but I definitely would find a way to get them away from those people. Just my opinion. It is really hard to see something like that and do nothing about it. Years ago when we had horses.......I would drive to work and see horses that had ribs showing and I would call someone.......they would say that if you can see that they are abusing the animal, then we can intervene. Well of course, I couldn't see it in person, but I could see it on the horses, but there was nothing I could do. We are talking years ago with the horses. Surely there is something out there that is new and you could do something about this. This is just my own opinion!