#149024 - 12/31/07 11:38 PM
Atlanta metro area Petsmart birds quarantined
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,404
Mona
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,404
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Due to Psittacosis The birds all came from a nasty bird mill about 45 minutes from me that I have heard horrible things about. (Kaytee is the company responsible for this and another bird mill here in Florida). Maybe this will get those scumbags closed down, but somehow I doubt it. http://www.wsbtv.com/news/14953062/detail.htmlATLANTA -- All birds at PetSmart stores in metro Atlanta and the rest of Georgia are under a quarantine after an outbreak of a bird disease that can be transferred to humans. The Georgia Department of Agriculture ordered the quarantine at the PetSmarts, plus a Superpetz store in Martinez outside of Augusta due to psittacosis, Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin announced Monday. Psittacosis is a bacterial disease that primarily affects parrots, parakeets and other members of the parrot family. It is treatable but can be fatal to the birds. Only in rare cases does it infect poultry. The disease produces flu-like symptoms in humans, but it does not respond to treatments for the flu. The disease is especially dangerous to the young, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, such as persons with chronic disease, AIDS or HIV infection or those taking chemotherapy for cancer. "We have had two confirmed cases of psittacosis at PetSmart stores in Hiram and Woodstock. There have also been confirmed cases at the dealer, Preferred Birds of Milton, Florida, that supplied birds to all the stores we are quarantining," said Irvin. "PetSmart had already begun a quarantine, but the quarantine did not meet all state requirements. We are requiring PetSmart and Superpetz to move the birds away from the public and to begin using medicated feed to treat the birds. The quarantine will last 45 days or until released by our State Veterinarian." The quarantine applies only to birds sold at the stores, not to other animals. If you purchased a bird from PetSmart or the Martinez Superpetz and have concerns about its health, please contact your veterinarian, or if you have concerns about your health, contact your health care provider or local health department.
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#149448 - 01/03/08 10:54 PM
Re: Atlanta metro area Petsmart birds quarantined
[Re: Snowy'Mommy]
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 279
Snowy'Mommy
Member
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Member

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 279
Burnaby & Lone Butte, BC
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I just checked out their products on their website and thanks goodness I have never purchased anything.  How could a company that promos vet medicine/schools, rehab, etc. also support mass chick production? There are soooo many two-faced people in the world, it is just another supporting fact of humans being the worst of all the animal species. I also couldn't find anything on their site warning the public of this quarantine. You would think that at the very least that they would want avoid any lawsuits, never mind being responsible to the public!!!!!! I wonder if this is also in the Petsmarts in Canada or the other "big box" pet store, Petcetra. I don't shop at either of these stores. Now I know why!!!!! Edit: I have NO IDEA how this happened, but I went in to edit my other post and somehow I ended up with two posts......the first the original and the second (this one) a repeat of the first with my additional comment. Sorry MyToos, but I don't know what happened.
Last edited by Snowy'Mommy; 01/03/08 10:57 PM. Reason: comment about double post
Proud to be deemed worthy of my U2's flock
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#149809 - 01/06/08 08:50 PM
Re: Atlanta metro area Petsmart birds quarantined
[Re: EchosMom]
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,404
Mona
Lives Here
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Lives Here
   

Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,404
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I saw this quote from Petland in one of the many online papers reporting the story. I guess Petland will continue to defend that bottom feeder bird mill despite the problem. After all, a few bird deaths is nothing compared to the profits they make buying from a huge wholesale "vendor" like this one. Makes me want to puke. I found out exactly where this bird mill is located but of course am not going anywhere near it right now. Maybe after this outbreak is contained I will take a drive there and try to get some photo's of the place. Petland also received birds from Preferred Birds of Florida, a vendor it has used for all of its new store openings since August 2007, according to Washburn. Preferred Birds warned Petland of a possible problem with psittacosis on Dec. 21 and sent it testing materials on Dec. 22, which subsequently lead to a positive test in a blue-and-gold macaw, a Hahn's macaw and an orange-winged Amazon. Petland tested birds at three of its stores, including two in Illinois, but the only ill birds were found at the Shakopee location. All birds were removed from the Shakopee store Dec. 24 to undergo a 45-day antibiotic treatment, Washburn said. Petland continues to believe Preferred Birds is a "great source" of birds because of its immediate response to this situation, Washburn said.
Last edited by Mona; 01/06/08 08:52 PM.
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