We write this petition with great urgency and distress regarding concerns about whether Seymour’s is meeting the following minimum standards of Maine's animal welfare laws within the confines of this so-called bird rescue.

Section 4013 of Title 7 of Maine's laws mandates that animals in confinement or impoundment receive food of sufficient quality and quantity to maintain their good health. Additionally, Section 4014 requires necessary medical attention for confined animals when the animal is or has been suffering from illness, injury, or disease. 

Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Chapter 701 Section (1)(H)(3) states: “All animals owned and kept by the facility that are not for sale or adoption must receive regular annual examinations and recommended treatment as determined by the Veterinarian of Reference to ensure the health of all animals within that facility.”

Seymour's Bird Refuge, L.L.C. holds a shelter license issued by the Department of Agriculture and Conservation, and we implore you to investigate the conditions at this facility for the sake of the birds under its care.

Our concerns stem from what we have witnessed while volunteering at Seymour's Bird Refuge. Although superficially the facility may appear to meet basic requirements, we believe that numerous instances of neglect and abuse are occurring, or have occurred, directly impacting the health and lives of the birds in question.

Despite the facility's seemingly clean environment and the daily provision of food and water, in our opinion the heart of the problem lies in the quality of care. Extensive research has shown that proper parrot nutrition should consist of pellets and fresh foods. However, we believe the birds at Seymour's are not receiving adequate amounts of pellets or fresh foods, leading to possible nutrient deficiencies and associated health issues. 

Furthermore, we have witnessed veterinary care granted very sparingly, resulting in the neglect and suffering of birds in need.

In our opinion, the situation is dire and the birds at Seymour's are in desperate need of intervention. There has been a formal complaint submitted with Animal Welfare/Department of Agriculture, Conversation, and Forestry. But the State has declined to comment on their response to the complaint, findings, or corrective action required at Seymor’s. Due to the lack of knowledge of the bird species at Seymour’s at the state level, we are requesting that an avian vet certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners is brought in to assist the investigation. Immediate action is necessary.

Our final request is that Madam Governor Janet Mills, or Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey, will oversee a comprehensive inspection, encompassing not only the facility and its physical conditions but also a thorough review of the birds' records and health status.

We firmly believe that you represent the last hope for these captive, innocent birds who deserve the care and protection mandated by the state's laws.

Some of the birds we are fighting for:

"Shoshi" (Parrotlet) - This bird desperately needs medical attention. She spends all day hiding under the newspaper. **UPDATE** Shoshi has been relinquished back to her original owner as of 9/30!

 

"Marley" (Pionus) - We have noticed a dramatic decline over the past few years. Marley often shakes and appears stressed. We spoke with the caretaker who surrendered Marley and learned that they had hoped Marley would be placed in a quiet, loving home. It was not their understanding that Marley would still be at Seymour’s after so many years. Marley is only 12 years old, which is young for a parrot, yet the shelter owner has described her as “having reached her life expectancy” and being “end of life”. 

 

Yellow Budgie - (with suspected scaly face mites). Unfortunately, this bird passed not too long after the 2022 photos were taken.

 

"Charlie" (Miligold Macaw) - Unfortunately, Charlie is now deceased. We believe Charlie did not receive appropriate veterinary care during his long stay at Seymour’s. In the days leading up to his death, he had stopped eating, was crying out in pain, and suffered multiple suspected seizures. We believe during these days, Charlie’s condition warranted veterinary care, but Charlie was not even offered humane euthanasia.  A volunteer offered to bring Charlie to the emergency vet during the last 24 hours of his life, but the shelter owner refused the offer.  Instead, Charlie was left at the shelter to die alone in the middle of the night.  This is an example of where we believe humane quality of care was not provided.

 

"Rena & Blue" (Blue & Gold Macaws) - Suspected pressure sores on both their feet. "Pressure sores are easily avoided through proper perching and also allowing your bird(s) freedom outside the cage with the opportunity to be on a variety of surfaces." https://nilesanimalhospital.com/files/2012/05/Pressure-Sores.pdf

 

"Food" bowls at Seymour's. We have witnessed the birds being fed mostly an all-seed diet, with minimal, inconsistent fresh fruits/vegetables and pellets. The food bowls are often topped with animal cookies, goldfish crackers, as well as copious amounts of sunflower seeds and pistachios. Most of the birds are confined to their cages, with minimal, if any, outside interaction. "The feeding practice adopted by owner may have an impact over their health status. Birds are kept confined with limited exercise and they are deliberately kept isolated from their foraging behaviour. All these may have an impact over their health status." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9929897/   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7147455/

 

There are roughly 30 birds currently still at Seymour’s. Please consider adding your name to this petition to help us save these birds and any others that could end up at this refuge. Thank you.