Why were passionate.

4th most popular pet behind cats/dogs/sh

20.6 million birds
6.9 million homes
2013-14 National Pet Owners survey from American Pet Product Association
Average of 3 birds/home
Depending on the breed,
pet birds can live anywhere
from 580 years old.
Most birds mate for life.
you are suddenly their favorite ock mate
this is a monogamous relationship
Research Phase
Went to three pet stores:
Mission Pet Mart (Mission, KS)
small variety, worker had 0 experience handling birds, not a lot of people come in to buy birds
PetSmart (Lenexa, KS)
tons of informational pamphlets, small variety, attached vets office (no idea of local all avian vet)
Pet World (Lawrence, KS)
Large variety, handled regularly by staff & customers, staff knowledgable, informational books
Beak & Wings Rescue
Beak n Wings
Been around for 15 years (est. 1999)
Dont have a physical space, opening up a store front soon in the Great Mall of the Great Plains
Run through foster care
Larger geographic area b/c of foster care system
Most $ comes from adoption fees and biannual bird conventions
Used to do adoptions at pet stores (PetCo, PetSmart) but stopped b/c of zoonosis (infections that can be passed to humans)
Burge Bird Service
Burge Bird Service
Run by Dr. Julie Burge, DVM
only vet in the area that treats avian exclusively
>56 other area vets that she feels comfortable recommending
Involved in Vet Medical community
Member of Veterinary Information Sharing groups (VIN>Veterinary Information Network<, Exotic EVM, Bird Medicine, Association of Avian Vets)

Burge Bird Rescue
Burge Bird Rescue
Rescue brings in approx. 300 birds/year
Has a space specically for her rescue birds (attached to her veterinary practice)
ie no foster homes involved.
Been around 6 years (est. 2008) >received 501 (c) 3
Much of their funding comes from grants (others come from donated used cages, small adoption fees, clients donations)
Provides free medical care for the birds in her rescue
Has 1 full time nurse, and works mostly with volunteers
Fewer than 100 Avian Rescues exist nationwide.
*(not connected to breeders)
Add adopted bird stat.
Whats the problem?
There is a huge lack of knowledge surrounding the ownership and
care of exotic birds. This leads to problems such as abandonment,
misinformed choices and mistreatment of pets.
There is a huge lack of knowledge surrounding the ownership and
care of exotic birds. This leads to problems such as abandonment, misinformed choices and mistreatment of pets.
What social behaviors are we looking to change?
Abandonment
Most parrots are taken to rescues
because of behavior issues.
Most given up because of behavior issues (ie noisy, destructive, aggressive)
Given to sanctuaries and rescues (if lucky) often released into the wild (to die)
Abuse & Neglect
Only captive parrots self-mutilate or pluck.
People dont know how to take care of their birds. nu! said.
Only captive parrots pluck
>>Parrots are often excluded from statutes that prevent animal cruelty, making it almost impossible to dene abuse/neglect and enforce those statutes.
Ignorant & Impulsive Choices
People just dont know what theyre geing in to.
Birds can be as smart as a toddler.
PRETTY BIRDY, ME WANT.
TODDLERS WITH CAN OPENERS ON FACES
Long term investment>> large birds such as macaws can live up to 80 years
People dont know that birds are di"cult to care for:
Medical treatment is harder> cant pick up on issues early, knowledge of avian medicine is years behind small/large animal medicine
Problems like household hazards and diet arent widely known
Who is our audience?
Veterinary Practices
Ages: 2560
Receptivity: These people are advocates!
Exotic vets are well educated and share that information. Normal (large/small animal) vets tend to lack the training to work with birds or know where to send people to get
treatment for their feathered friends.
Many vets are working to advance avian care but theres not much research being done to help them.
Problem: Many bird owners dont take their bird to the vet regularly, if at all.
Potential Pet Parents
Ages:
Families (children 5+), Female Adults (20+)
Receptivity: Ready to know but dont know the facts.
Those looking to adopt are already bird owners looking to get another pet.
Many people do not think through the pros/cons of having a pet bird. Often its an impulse buy, based off misconceptions (ie talking, cuddling, singing, being tame). We want
potential pet parents to make informed decisions.
How will we measure change?
Short Term
Survey audience and ask if they feel beer informed.
Long Term
Seeing a drop in number of birds in rescues/shelters.
We just want everyone to have these feelings.
Large problem, narrow to specic
Segment of the audience and how to reach them