Avian Welfare Resource Center from the The Avian Welfare Coalition (AWC) is a grassroots network of representatives from avian welfare, animal protection, and humane organizations dedicated to the ethical treatment and protection of birds living in captivity and in their natural habitats. The mission of the AWC is to prevent the abuse, exploitation, and suffering of captive birds, and to address the crucial issues of rescue, placement, and sanctuary for displaced birds. The AWC also supports efforts to insure the survival of wild birds and the conservation of their natural habitats.
 

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National Bird Day - January 5

AWC Store

Don't Buy...Adopt!

Pet Store Watch

Stop Indonesian Smuggling!

 
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PETCO Pet Store Watch
Evaluation Form

NOTE: This form covers reports of BIRD conditions ONLY! If you would like to report concerns or praise about the care of another kind of animal at PETCO, please e-mail us directly at storewatch@avianwelfare.org.

The Avian Welfare Coalition is currently collecting evaluations of PETsMART, PETCO, and other pet store conditions to serve as data for the AWC and other animal welfare organizations to present in future meetings with corporate executives regarding the production and marketing of parrots and other birds in their stores. If you would like to participate in our PETCO Pet Store Watch investigation, please fill out the form below.

Important Note: The individuals and organizations that receive copies of these evaluations will not necessarily use your evaluation to take any action against a particular store. We will use the data you submit as a foundation for our case at the corporate level. Some organizations MAY take specific action in extreme cases, such as forwarding your evaluation to local humane organizations for follow-up. Please also continue your own efforts to improve pet store conditions!

Please e-mail the AWC with questions about our Pet Store Watch investigations: storewatch@avianwelfare.org.

Your genuine responses to fields marked with a * are required—no exceptions. Because we want to make sure that every report is original and legitimate, anonymous or otherwise incomplete submissions WILL be discarded. Thank you for providing us with this important information!

About You

Your Full Name*  
Your Organization  
Your Occupation*  
Your E-mail*  
Your Phone Number  

May we contact you by e-mail or phone if we have further questions?*

No   Yes

Do your currently live with birds?*

No   Yes

How many birds live in your household?*

0   1   2   3–5   5–10   11+

List the birds species living in your household:

How many years have you had birds?*

0–1   1–2   3–5   5–10   10–15   15+

Where did you acquire your bird(s)? (check all that apply)

Private Breeder   Bird Specialty Store   Chain Pet Store

Other Pet Store   Bird Show/Mart   Previous Owner

Inherited   Bird Club   Rescue/Adoption Organization

Are you planning to acquire another bird?*

No   Yes

If yes, please adopt a bird in need of a new home!

 

About Your PETCO Visit

Store Address  
City*  
State/Province*      Zip/Post Code  
Country*  
Store Phone   xxx-xxx-xxxx
Date of Visit*  
Time of Visit   From: To:

 

Bird Species Observed at PETCO Store

Small Birds

Canaries/Finches

0   1–5   6–10   11–15   16–20   21–25   26+

Budgies/Parrotlets/Lovebirds

0   1–5   6–10   11–15   16–20   21–25   26+

Cockatiels

0   1–5   6–10   11–15   16–20   21–25   26+

Other Small Birds (List Below)

0   1–5   6–10   11–15   16–20   21–25   26+

Medium Birds

Lorikeets/Quakers/Conures/Senegals

0   1–5   6–10   11+

Amazons

0   1–5   6–10   11+

African Greys

0   1–5   6–10   11+

Eclectus

0   1–5   6–10   11+

Other Medium Birds (List Below)

0   1–5   6–10   11+

Large Birds

Macaws

0   1–5   6–10   11+

Cockatoos

0   1–5   6–10   11+

 

Conditions Observed at PETCO Store

What was your general impression of the housing facilities and care provided for birds in this store?

Excellent   Adequate   Poor

Unacceptable   Don't Know

Please rate this store on the following conditions:

Cage size:

Excellent   Adequate   Poor

Unacceptable   Don't Know

Number of birds housed per cage:

Excellent   Adequate   Poor

Unacceptable   Don't Know

Sufficiency of perches, toys, and out-of-cage time:

Excellent   Adequate   Poor

Unacceptable   Don't Know

Cleanliness of cage, perches, and surrounding area:

Excellent   Adequate   Poor

Unacceptable   Don't Know

Food quality and freshness:

Excellent   Adequate   Poor

Unacceptable   Don't Know

Water quality and freshness:

Excellent   Adequate   Poor

Unacceptable   Don't Know

Were any of the birds being attacked or harassed by other birds? 

No   Yes   Don't Know

What did the birds' diets consist of? (check all that apply)

Seed   Pellets   Fresh Foods 

Were the seeds, pellets, and other foods appropriately sized for each species?  

No   Yes   Don't Know

Was there any spoiled food in the cages?  

No   Yes   Don't Know

Were any of the birds on display being sold unweaned?  

No   Yes   Don't Know

If so, approximately what % of the birds in the store were being sold unweaned?  

%

What was the average age of the fully weaned birds on display?

3–5 months   6–9 months   10–12 months

13+ months   Don't Know

Did you see cages placed in any of the following conditions? (check all that apply)

Where they can be approached/viewed from all sides and/or top  

In the path of air conditioning or heating drafts

In direct sunlight with no shade for all or part of the day

Where they receive no natural or full-spectrum light

Where it isn't dark and quiet enough at night for sleep

Where light is too bright

Where light is too dim

Where it is too noisy or busy

Where it is exposed to fumes

Where it is too hot

Where it is too cold

Do you have any additional notes or comments about the conditions at this store? (enter below)

 

PETCO Staff Knowledge & Advice

Were you able to speak with the staff caring for the birds? 

No   Yes

Did you request information on any particular species? 

No   Yes

If so, did the staff appear to be knowledgeable about the species?  

No   Yes   Didn't Talk to Staff

Did the staff appear to be knowledgeable about companion birds in general?  

No   Yes   Didn't Talk to Staff

If no, please explain what information they provided that you felt was inaccurate or misleading:

 

Do you have any additional notes or comments about the staff at this store? (enter below)

 

PETCO Health & Veterinary Care

Is there a "back room" at this store? 

No   Yes   Don't Know

Did you visit the "back room" at this store? 

No   Yes

How many unweaned birds were in the "back room"? 

0   1–5   6–10   11–15   16–20

21–25   26+   Don't Know

How many sick birds were in the "back room"? 

0   1–5   6–10   11–15   16–20

21–25   26+   Don't Know

Were you told that they would receive veterinary care? 

No   Yes   No Sick Birds Observed

Did you see any birds on the sales floor that appeared to be sick? 

No   Yes   Don't Know

If yes, check all the symptoms of illness you observed:

Inactivity/Listlessness   Fluffed-Up Feathers   Ragged Feathers

Drooping Wings   Discharge from Vent   Feces in Vent Area

Bloody Droppings   Diarrhea/Polyuria    Discharge from Nose

Wheezing   Sneezing   Heavy Breathing

Open-Mouth Breathing   Seizures

If yes, did you speak with management about it? 

No   Yes

If you spoke to the management, please describe their response:

 

Do you have any additional notes or comments about the health of the birds at this store? (enter below)

 

Photos of PETCO Birds & Store Conditions

I took photos during this visit and will be submitting them separately by:

Do you have any additional notes, comments, or instructions regarding your photos? (enter below)

 

 

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