Reply #151: The question remains unanswered – Why keep a bird in a cage at all?

[ReadTomPaine]

We prevent the habitat from disappearing by discouraging bird ‘ownership’ in the first place and by establishing natural sanctuaries which provide something more than a continually filthy cage for them to dwell in. That’s quite clear in my message. You convince people to stop smuggling by making it financially unattractive to do so. This has happened with many species. It should happen with more.

I’m obvious in my statement that once a bird has been taken from the wild for any significant length of time or successful attempts are made to ‘domesticate’ it, it can no longer be re-introduced, despite your attempts to make it sound as though I suggested otherwise. If you live surround by the misery of these birds, it’s a world that you helped to create. It’s not surprising that you feel defensive regarding this as the cognitive dissonance you display is deafening. I’m glad that you feel driven to help, but you are addressing the symptoms of the problem and not the source, so you will be shoveling ‘shit’ as you so charmingly say, forever.

If you want the problems of pet birds to cease, the most efficient way to try and stop the endless stream of suffering is to educate people from thinking it’s ok to do this to these creatures in the first place. Assuming you are not a pet store owner with a vested financial interest in the purchase and sale of these animals, I don’t see the issue. The same as in any conflict, to stop the wounded, you end the war, you don’t just hire more doctors.

The fact is that you still haven’t addressed the core point, and it’s a telling omission. There is no defense, no explanation, why keeping birds in cages for amusement is beneficial or anything other than selfish. Why do it at all? Until that question is answered, all the bile you spill is for naught.