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Help birds get protections under the Animal Welfare Act Regulations!

Birds used by commercial industries—like the pet trade or roadside zoos—are currently suffering because the U.S. Department of Agriculture has failed to protect them. Although the Animal Welfare Act has required the USDA to protect birds for decades, the USDA never took steps to draft regulations for their care by these industries, and as a result countless numbers of birds have suffered.

But that is about to change as USDA has finally acted and released a proposed rule outlining the handling, care and treatment of birds held in captivity by breeders, distributors, carriers, intermediate handlers as well as research facilities that use wild-caught birds. The proposed rule is a big step in the right direction, but we need the rule to be finalized, quickly, to finally give birds in captivity the protections they deserve.

USDA must also take steps to strengthen the proposal so we need YOU to submit a comment telling them you support the rule but would like it strengthened to ensure it addresses the special needs of birds. Your voice is SO important in this fight, so please act fast because the public comment period will close on April 25.

Birds deserve protections under the Animal Welfare Act Regulations—help us make sure that happens!

TAKE ACTION
Please use the form to submit a comment to the U.S. Department of Agriculture telling them you support their proposed rule to address the welfare of birds held in captivity but would like it strengthened to ensure it addresses the special needs of birds.

This action alert is for U.S. residents. International advocates, please visit Humane Society International.

Your Message

Subject*

Dr.

Cody M.

Yager

USDA

Dear Dr. Cody M. Yager,

Thank you for taking the necessary steps to ensure the humane treatment of birds in captivity. The USDA’s proposed regulations will benefit the welfare of birds held in captivity and will help remedy many significant welfare issues that have gone unaddressed for far too long. I commend the agency for requiring enrichment, water access suitable for aquatic birds, and licensing for facilities with at least four breeding pairs; prohibiting transport of unweaned birds; and for including birds used in falconry.
However, I am concerned about how the proposed regulations do not go far enough to provide all of the necessary protections for birds. I strongly urge USDA to:

1.	Prohibit non-medical physical mutilations, such as wing and toe clipping, devoicing, and beak alterations.
2.	Prohibit tethering for unlimited amounts of time.
3.	Require facilities to provide areas for flighted birds to fly.
4.	Require the licensing of pet shops selling birds.
5.	Include specific regulations restricting public contact with birds.

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