Help Us Save the Troy Parrots

As promised in our last post,  we’re continuing our efforts to free the Troy parrots from the inhumane conditions in which they are being forced to live.  Last week we learned the Miami County Humane Society released the parrots back to Doug Ratcliff.  We believe it is completely unacceptable to give these already abused and traumatized parrots back to a man who has demonstrated that he is incapable of treating them humanely.  We’re going to continue to apply pressure on local officials to intervene, and we need your help.

Each day we’ll be listing 10 different Troy businesses on this post.  We’re asking you to please call them and inform them of the situation occurring in Troy. Please be polite.  It is not our goal to harass or shame these businesses.

Here is a copy of the letter we’re sending to a few major Troy businesses. It reflects the tone we’d like the phone calls to take.

Dear Corporate Leader:

We are writing to bring to your attention a scandal unfolding in the vicinity of your business—a scandal that is making news throughout Ohio—and, through social media, across the USA and around the world.

Two weeks ago in Union Township, near Troy, Ohio, dozens of parrots were discovered sequestered in unspeakably horrible conditions.  (The actual number is in dispute, a reflection of the confusion of local authorities in this case.)  Animal rescue groups and a Dayton veterinarian signed an agreement with the owner of the house to remove and treat the most badly affected of the birds.  But, oddly, the local Humane Officer dispatched to evaluate the situation opted to return control of the remaining birds to the owner of the house, who has previously been cited for mistreatment of birds under his care.

In the words of Mohandas Gandhi, “You can judge a society by the way it treats its animals.”  We would like to point out that the situation of “the Troy Parrots,” as they have come to be known, brings discredit to the community in which your company is a corporate citizen.  Moreover, the apathy and possible complicity of municipal authorities in perpetuating this situation has shocked caring people around the world and created doubts about the integrity of the community.

Parrots are self-aware creatures with the cognitive capacity of a human child.  Parrots give their chicks names, which the offspring answer to throughout life.  Parrots show themselves capable of understanding their situation, to a degree, and, when faced with severe stress, exhibit what humans would recognize as despair.  Under severe conditions such as those “the Troy Parrots” are facing, they actually are driven to mutilate themselves, plucking their own feathers and flesh.

We urge you simply to take an interest in how this situation reflects on the community of which you are a part.  If you agree with us that this disgraceful situation shames the entire community, we urge you to contact both local and state officials and express your dismay.  We invite you to join us in promoting the values of decency and compassion, and to condemn cruelty and neglect, especially where allowed and even perpetuated by local officials.

Lagniappe Consignments : (937) 440-8232

That Surplus Store : (937) 339-6829

JMC Computer Services : (937) 451-2147

The Ultimate Flooring Store : (937) 335-7800

Road-Pop Stop : (937) 339-4149

Taras Fine Clothing for Women : (937) 440-0567

Clark’s Rx : (937) 339-9193

Tienda La Raza : (937) 335-9555

Stone Circle Drive-Thru & Deli : (937) 335-7726

Kroger Pharmacy : (937) 339-8441

Thank you for helping to save the Troy parrots! We’d love for you to leave us a comment and let us know how your calls went.