The Tacoma News Tribune article "Parrots in Peril" (Sunday, December 18), highlighted the appalling conditions at the Scudder aviary in Roy.  Although the events in the article happend two years ago, we continue to be frustrated by Pierce County’s refusal to license commercial aviaries so that they can be held to humane standards of care.  

We are thankful to The News Tribune for helping us keep the issue of aviaries in the spotlight so these animals are not forgotten.  In the Scudder case, The Humane Society was unable to gain the information needed to seize the birds, and were then denied access to the property.  If aviaries were licensed — the way dog and cat facilities are — animal control agencies would be able to easily make inspections, gather information and protect these birds that live their lives at the mercy of their caretakers.

We want you to know that even though The Humane Society will no longer be providing animal control services as of December 31, we remain a compassionate and vigilant defender of all animals in this community.

We will continue to petition the County Council to require licensing for aviaries.  These birds are sensitive, social, beautiful creatures and they deserve our protection.  Licensing aviaries is the best way to ensure that at the very least, the birds are given humane standards of care.

We are working with the County Council and Pierce County Animal Control to insist on further inspections of the Scudder aviary and more humane conditions for these birds.  

No animal should be forced to live in the appalling conditions described in the article.  If you live in the County, please call your council representative and urge him or her to vote in favor of licensing aviaries.  

On behalf of all animals,

Steve Pierce,

Executive Director  

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 20th, 2005 at 5:45 pm and is filed under General.

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