The Montreal SPCA announced on Tuesday that it has seized more than 500 exotic birds from a pet store and breeding facility in the city.
The birds had been imported to Canada after being caught in the wild in other countries, and were being kept for sale. Some birds died before the intervention of the SPCA, which is now caring for the birds.
The SPCA stresses that the birds are not up for adoption and still belong to their original owner. They were seized under the Criminal Code because they were not receiving critical care.
“Cases such as this one demonstrate that birds, and many other species of exotic animals that are regularly bought and sold in this province, and who have complex physiological and behavioural needs, require basic protection under our provincial animal welfare legislation. We will therefore be continuing our efforts to ensure that all animals, including exotic animals and wildlife in captivity, are adequately protected in Quebec,” Alanna Devine, director of animal advocacy at the Montreal SPCA, said in a statement.
If you witness any incident of cruelty or animal neglect, please report it to the Montreal SPCA inspection department by leaving a message at 514-735-2711 ext. 2230, or sending an email to inspection@spca.com. In case of emergency, please call 514-735-2711, extension 0.
Animal abuse or neglect can also be reported to the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation by calling 1-844-ANIMAUX or by sending an email to: centraledesignalement@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca.
