You, Me, The Law and Your Parrot

A couple of weeks ago we got a call from Tennessee again. Another quaker parrot had been surrendered to an agency and the agency discovered that quakers are illegal to own.

When this happens, the bird is generally given 24 hours to be removed from the state to a place where it is legal to have. If the bird is not removed, it is euthanized - period, end of discussion. No recourse - DEAD. We do hope that the birds that we aren't contacted about are humanely euthanized, however it is still legal in many areas to "euthanize" using an unmixed gas chamber containing CO2 or CO. (This is like drowning in a gas instead of a liquid.) When your vet anesthatizes a bird, they use a mixed gas so that the bird slowly loses conciousness, it doesn't pass out due to asphyxiation.

Given the results of not following through, one of our volunteers took the call and spent their entire day Sunday picking up the bird. (Thanks Dave!) These laws are in place for a variety of reasons and agree with them or not, we are subject to them. While we are extremely grateful to the organizations who contact us and give us the opportunity to prevent an unnecessary euthanasia, we are always disappointed to find out that yet another parrot has been put in a position where it might die.

A lot of people don't realize that certain "common" parrot species are illegal in certain states. Quakers are the most highly regulated but there are other species that are also illegal to own/breed/sell/transport or possess in certain states. Nanday Conures for example are also illegal in our neighboring state of Tennessee.

A complete list isn't possible because laws change and we don't want our blog to be considered a legal resource. Please don't depend on potentially out of date web information when the health and safety of your pets are on the line. Some states don't post information on restricted species in a place that is easy to find or search.

If you are going to be travelling with your parrot, you are looking at moving to another state, or considering adopting or purchasing a bird PLEASE do your homework. The easiest way to check on the status of your companion bird(s) is to contact the state veterinarian of all the states you will be going through. Sometimes you'll need an interstate veterinary health certificate. (Any licensed vet can provide this to you, but it has to be done no more than 10 days before you travel.)

As with all other things, ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking it. In the case of these laws, the pets are the ones who pay the penalty and the price is one you can't get back.

Polly the Quaker says "Check the laws before you travel, adopt, buy or move with me!"