Foster Parrots Ltd - Captain's Special Story

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Captain
Housed in a cage so small he could not even spread his wings, this Military Macaw endured a life of mold, cigarette butts and an empty food cup for many years as part of a hotel pool/bar area decoration. the MSPCA and Massachusetts Health Department were completely helpless to do anything to improve this poor bird's life because there were no laws to prevent such substandard care. To make matters worse, most of the public who saw Captain commented, "What a beautiful bird," oblivious to the conditions that he lived in.

The pet trade has given an inaccurate and misleading portrayal of the proper care and housing of these sensitive animals. Instead they have given the prospective buyer the impression that parrots are just hamsters with feathers. Fearing the loss of a big sale, they have repeatedly failed to educate or advise impulse buyers.
In November of 2000 we were alerted to a hotel in Danvers, Massachusetts, where a Military Macaw was being kept for the enjoyment of its guests in the pool/cocktail area. The woman who called us told of a conversation with a bar tender who relayed the story of this Macaw and several other parrots that had been kept by the owner of the hotel. As things unfolded she learned that at least one bird had been stolen and another killed (strangled) by an irate customer who objected to the language the bird had learned in this bar room situation and had dared to repeat to the man's wife. We visited the hotel and took many photos of Captain in his old, toy-less and single-perched cage. We then called the hotel headquarters to lodge a complaint. We were told to expect a reply within the next few days.

We did, in fact, receive a phone call from the owner himself and we spoke of the allegations of the stolen and murdered birds. He told us of the past few years when several birds had been stolen and confirmed that one had been killed. He told us he was an animal lover and that he would like to hear our proposal for improving the conditions of his last remaining bird. We then sent a letter in the hope that civil discourse would improve this bird's living conditions. However, there was no reply.

Upon visiting the hotel, where the band was playing "Stranger In The Night," the only stranger alone in the night was Captain. He is subjected to smoke and noise till late into the evening. Kept a mere 8-9' from a table, we noticed his cage sits next to an irrigation cable that keeps the ground under his cage permanently wet. This is a health hazard to him and the patrons of this hotel! The authorities did not view this as a hazard to his health and the law allows Captain to be imprisoned in this totally inadequate cage. Although the state law does not allow for any animal to be kept where food is served, for some reason the town of Danvers, MA, does not have to comply.

The band plays on as patrons eat, drink and dance. This photo is a little dark but shows the true, ambient light.

With a flash added Captain is revealed sitting above the filthy, moldy, damp dirt under his cage - a cage only 18" wide!

Directly under Captain's cage.

While Captain sits alone on his perch, people will often comment on what a pretty bird he is, oblivious to the fact that his life is not fit for a cockroach.

The town health inspector did not view the mold and rotting seed hulls as a health hazard and so allows business as usual at this hotel.

More of the same.

Captain sitting among the brightly colored decorations.

"These birds are here for your pleasure.
PLEASE do not handle them. They could bite."

Captain's 18" wide cage devoid of toys.

On January 10, 2002, as we had not heard any news or had a reply to our letter, we returned to see if any changes had been made. The cages were still there, but there was no sign of the bird. We then asked about the bird and were taken to a basement office where we found him.
Notice the shovel handle used as a perch in the next photo. Perhaps the King's Grant Hotel thinks we will go away? No chance. We have many people who will be watching.

After the owner of the hotel received hundreds of letters from concerned people, a threat of action by PETA, and after being contacted by a couple of businesses saying they would move their convention business elsewhere (we took video of poor Captain to several businesses in the area asking them for support in improving Captain's life), Captain was surrendered to the MSPCA and, despite our year-long efforts, we were never contacted. Captain was released to a rescue. As far as we know he is well.
Thank you to all who wrote letters on behalf of Captain.