Please Put This Back Yard Breeder Behind Bars! She Is Knowingly Selling Sick Animals That Are In Horrific Conditions!
The Issue
May 2nd, 2015
My Partner and I decided to make a fun filled day of going to a local Flea Market. We did not know what we were about to see.
At least 50 domestic birds, all crammed into tiny cages in the hot beating sun of Fort Myers, Florida. No fans, not enough shade, improper food and dirty water. We were able to confirm that the breeder was feeding the domesticated birds, wild bird seed, which does not carry the proper nutrients that they need to develop correctly. In a tiny cage, with one perch, crammed all together, were at least 16 lovebirds. All of their feet were deformed from the lack of vitamin deficiency and from not being able to perch. I was completely disgusted. This is when we stumbled upon, our soon to be, little Marco. Marco was cowered in a corner, while all of the other birds picked on him. He had dis-formed feet, bloody nostrils, and his beak was broken on both sides. Marco was breathing very labored breathing and we knew he was not okay. We informed the lady that was selling the birds, and she said, and I quote, "You know he was inbred, thats why he has so many problems. I will put him in a box and deal with him so you do not have to look at him." Are you kidding me!!?? We demanded that she give us Marco or that we were calling Animal Control. My partner made a scene and advised the lady that we were contacting authorities about the horrid conditions that she was keeping her animals in. The lady refused to give us the bird and demanded $60.00. We knew she was going to kill him, after talking to her for a few more minutes, although I completely am against buying from a breeder, I was able to talk her down to $30.00, after all that was a small price to pay to save a life. We took Marco to the vet, the very next day. Dr. Nelson of Viscaya Prado animal hospital, confirmed that Marco had severe trauma to both sides of his beak, and respiratory issues due to this. He advised the correct perches to buy Marco so we could work on his deformed feet. This was confirmed a result of being inbred, lack of vitamin nutrients, and not being able to perch. Marco got his beak shaved, his nails clipped, and lastly, his feces tested. The Doctor, after much anticipation and waiting, finally came in and advised us to come look under the microscope. They were in awe, because Marco had contracted a disease called Sygamus Trachea (Gape Worm), which has not been heard of in domesticated birds. Sygamus Trachea is a parasite found in Game poultry, and in order for Marco to have contracted this, he would have had to come into contact with the feces of a turkey or a chicken. This meant that all of the other birds Marco housed with previously, could have contracted the disease as well. The only treatment for this was doses of Ivermictin, which the Dr. kindly dispersed and gave us some to put on him in a week, and advised us to bring him back in a week to have his feces tested. A week went buy, and little Marco was getting weaker and weaker. We took him back to the vet, in which his feces was tested, and more than 12 new parasite eggs were found. The doctor had to act quickly, as this could kill 45 Ounce Marco, and gave him a double dose of Ivermictin. After this last dose, Marco was already Deaf, but had become blind. This was unfortunately, a side effect to the Ivermictin, since domesticated birds usually are not given this type of medication because of the severity of the side effects. One week after this, Marco was worse than ever. He could not open up his eyes, and could not see of hear anything. Marco was terrified and did not understand why he could not see anymore. He fell weak, and slowly stopped eating and lost almost all of his strength.
Saturday, May 16th, 8:00 PM, Marco fell off of his perch and was gasping for air. We knew he was dying. After an hour long of phone calls to all the lcoal Animal ER facilities, none were equipped to accommodate a bird. We called Dr. Medelin,an on call exotic vet specialist, but unfortunately, never received a call back. Marco made it through the night, and even through Sunday.
Monday, May 18th, we took Marco to Avian Board Certified Specialist, Dr. McKelvie of Viscaya Prado Veterinarian Hospital. The prognosis was not good. Dr. McKelvie thought that we may lose him, as he was so weak. Marco was confirmed both deaf and blind, unfortunately due to the Ivermictin treatments. Because of the nature of the disease and the fact that it is indeed deadly, there was no choice but to previously treat Marco with Ivermictin, as the Parasite could crawl up his throat and suffocate him to death, the Dr. explained. We again, tested Marco's feces and there was still a parasite in his stool. Dr. McKelvie advised that we could not put anymore Ivermictin on him, number one because of the reactions poor little Marco has suffered , and number two because it WOULD kill him. Dr. McKelvie and his staff offered to keep Marco over the next few nights, free of charge, to build up his strength and monitor him.
Wednesday, May 20th, we picked up Marco. Dr. Nelson explained that Marco could not be treated with Ivermictin, because he would die. Marco is still suffering from Sygamus Trachea and the only known way to kill it, is with Ivermictin. Dr. Nelson advised that him and his staff are working hard to research other options for Marco, but it is not at all promising.
This is a result of an irresponsible person. This is the result of a person who does not care the conditions of her animals, but only cares about the money going into her pocket. After finding out where this disgusting, back yard breeder lives, we found tethered dogs on her property, and bird cages hanging off of a tree with no food or water. We also found hamsters in aquariums with no tops and no food or water. Please keep in mind that this is Florida. It is hot. The birds, dog, and hamsters and chickens and ducks that she has are all mistreated, treated with cruelty and have no food or water! I have pictures, videos! This lady needs to be shut down and rot in jail for how she is keeping these precious lives! I have contacted both animal control and Fish and Wild life! We went back to the flea market two weeks later, undercover, and she has umbrellas and fans running this time! Even with this, there was a parakeet, barely alive, suffering from heat stroke. I have a video of a cockatiel gasping for air! This has to stop! She has to be stopped and these animals deserve proper care and treatment! We have to get justice for them and for Marco!
PLEASE CHECK OUT MARCO'S WEBSITE
http://justiceformarco.com/home.html
IF WE AREN'T THEIR VOICE, WHO WILL BE?
Petition Closed
The Issue
May 2nd, 2015
My Partner and I decided to make a fun filled day of going to a local Flea Market. We did not know what we were about to see.
At least 50 domestic birds, all crammed into tiny cages in the hot beating sun of Fort Myers, Florida. No fans, not enough shade, improper food and dirty water. We were able to confirm that the breeder was feeding the domesticated birds, wild bird seed, which does not carry the proper nutrients that they need to develop correctly. In a tiny cage, with one perch, crammed all together, were at least 16 lovebirds. All of their feet were deformed from the lack of vitamin deficiency and from not being able to perch. I was completely disgusted. This is when we stumbled upon, our soon to be, little Marco. Marco was cowered in a corner, while all of the other birds picked on him. He had dis-formed feet, bloody nostrils, and his beak was broken on both sides. Marco was breathing very labored breathing and we knew he was not okay. We informed the lady that was selling the birds, and she said, and I quote, "You know he was inbred, thats why he has so many problems. I will put him in a box and deal with him so you do not have to look at him." Are you kidding me!!?? We demanded that she give us Marco or that we were calling Animal Control. My partner made a scene and advised the lady that we were contacting authorities about the horrid conditions that she was keeping her animals in. The lady refused to give us the bird and demanded $60.00. We knew she was going to kill him, after talking to her for a few more minutes, although I completely am against buying from a breeder, I was able to talk her down to $30.00, after all that was a small price to pay to save a life. We took Marco to the vet, the very next day. Dr. Nelson of Viscaya Prado animal hospital, confirmed that Marco had severe trauma to both sides of his beak, and respiratory issues due to this. He advised the correct perches to buy Marco so we could work on his deformed feet. This was confirmed a result of being inbred, lack of vitamin nutrients, and not being able to perch. Marco got his beak shaved, his nails clipped, and lastly, his feces tested. The Doctor, after much anticipation and waiting, finally came in and advised us to come look under the microscope. They were in awe, because Marco had contracted a disease called Sygamus Trachea (Gape Worm), which has not been heard of in domesticated birds. Sygamus Trachea is a parasite found in Game poultry, and in order for Marco to have contracted this, he would have had to come into contact with the feces of a turkey or a chicken. This meant that all of the other birds Marco housed with previously, could have contracted the disease as well. The only treatment for this was doses of Ivermictin, which the Dr. kindly dispersed and gave us some to put on him in a week, and advised us to bring him back in a week to have his feces tested. A week went buy, and little Marco was getting weaker and weaker. We took him back to the vet, in which his feces was tested, and more than 12 new parasite eggs were found. The doctor had to act quickly, as this could kill 45 Ounce Marco, and gave him a double dose of Ivermictin. After this last dose, Marco was already Deaf, but had become blind. This was unfortunately, a side effect to the Ivermictin, since domesticated birds usually are not given this type of medication because of the severity of the side effects. One week after this, Marco was worse than ever. He could not open up his eyes, and could not see of hear anything. Marco was terrified and did not understand why he could not see anymore. He fell weak, and slowly stopped eating and lost almost all of his strength.
Saturday, May 16th, 8:00 PM, Marco fell off of his perch and was gasping for air. We knew he was dying. After an hour long of phone calls to all the lcoal Animal ER facilities, none were equipped to accommodate a bird. We called Dr. Medelin,an on call exotic vet specialist, but unfortunately, never received a call back. Marco made it through the night, and even through Sunday.
Monday, May 18th, we took Marco to Avian Board Certified Specialist, Dr. McKelvie of Viscaya Prado Veterinarian Hospital. The prognosis was not good. Dr. McKelvie thought that we may lose him, as he was so weak. Marco was confirmed both deaf and blind, unfortunately due to the Ivermictin treatments. Because of the nature of the disease and the fact that it is indeed deadly, there was no choice but to previously treat Marco with Ivermictin, as the Parasite could crawl up his throat and suffocate him to death, the Dr. explained. We again, tested Marco's feces and there was still a parasite in his stool. Dr. McKelvie advised that we could not put anymore Ivermictin on him, number one because of the reactions poor little Marco has suffered , and number two because it WOULD kill him. Dr. McKelvie and his staff offered to keep Marco over the next few nights, free of charge, to build up his strength and monitor him.
Wednesday, May 20th, we picked up Marco. Dr. Nelson explained that Marco could not be treated with Ivermictin, because he would die. Marco is still suffering from Sygamus Trachea and the only known way to kill it, is with Ivermictin. Dr. Nelson advised that him and his staff are working hard to research other options for Marco, but it is not at all promising.
This is a result of an irresponsible person. This is the result of a person who does not care the conditions of her animals, but only cares about the money going into her pocket. After finding out where this disgusting, back yard breeder lives, we found tethered dogs on her property, and bird cages hanging off of a tree with no food or water. We also found hamsters in aquariums with no tops and no food or water. Please keep in mind that this is Florida. It is hot. The birds, dog, and hamsters and chickens and ducks that she has are all mistreated, treated with cruelty and have no food or water! I have pictures, videos! This lady needs to be shut down and rot in jail for how she is keeping these precious lives! I have contacted both animal control and Fish and Wild life! We went back to the flea market two weeks later, undercover, and she has umbrellas and fans running this time! Even with this, there was a parakeet, barely alive, suffering from heat stroke. I have a video of a cockatiel gasping for air! This has to stop! She has to be stopped and these animals deserve proper care and treatment! We have to get justice for them and for Marco!
PLEASE CHECK OUT MARCO'S WEBSITE
http://justiceformarco.com/home.html
IF WE AREN'T THEIR VOICE, WHO WILL BE?
The Decision Makers
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on May 19, 2015