BEARING WITNESS
In the Spotlight

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Bearing Witness focuses on the plight of individual animals. Our mission reminds that a species is made up of a multitude of individuals, each unique and integral to a web of relationships. While many are rescued, millions remain fated to suffer without relief or recognition. Here we pay tribute to these valiant heroes. With your help, we can make the remainder of their lives peaceful and filled with respect and care.

Angel and Susan Jablonski

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This issue of Bearing Witness features Susan Jablonski and her commitment to bear witness to Angel, an infant Goffin's cockatoo. Angel was born into the "parrot mill" industry. In her own words, Susan describes her introduction to Angel's Story:

It was February of 2009 when I read Angel's Story for the first time on the PETA website. I stared at the video in disbelief. It would not be the last time that I would witness the disturbing footage.

After I did some research and made a few phone calls, I approached a magazine, as well as an organization that focuses on parrots to find out if they would be interested in Angel's Story. I was told in so many words that Angel's Story would not fit well with the sort of vision they project to their readers.

I continued to think of Angel and would never forget her, but I wanted her short life to matter in some way—at least to be acknowledged. I would not find an organization that legitimately stood for animals and regarded them as fully sentient beings. That is, not until now. Here is her story:

Angel was her name. It probably was not a name Angel ever heard. She was named Angel by a People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) investigator working undercover at Rainbow World Exotics (RWE), an animal breeding mill. This Texas facility is one of many that supply millions of birds and small mammals to national retail chains such as PETCO, PetSmart and other retail stores who sell animals.

Angel was a tiny four-month-old Goffins Cockatoo. Over a span of six weeks the investigator shot footage of Angel progressively wasting away. It was obvious that Angel had serious health issues, but in spite of that, she was denied veterinary treatment. She was seriously neglected to the point that she ultimately died.

Although she approached the owner of RWE a number of times to adopt Angel and provide her with the home and veterinary care the bird desperately needed, the investigator was told such action might negatively affect the reputation of the company. The owner therefore would not allow Angels' adoption. The investigator continued to document her repeated efforts to call attention to Angel's condition as she progressively worsened. However, the store and its owner did nothing.

Angel was unable to keep food down which is a very serious situation for any animal. Instead of taking Angel to a veterinarian, the employees of RWE continuously shoved a syringe down her crop (digestive pouch) and flushed it out with water. This is a procedure that should only be employed by a veterinarian or skilled caregiver. It can be a very dangerous otherwise. There are many images of Angel in the PETA footage enduring hours of suffering while this is being done to her. Each time her crop was flushed it became worse for her to bear. Based on her cries it was obvious that she was suffering, and her cries for help became more incessant as she deteriorated. She cried continuously in pain as she was starving.

By day 35 her head hung down unnaturally as she was too weak to hold it up. On day 36 she was found lying on her side in her filthy cage covered in flies. Had it not been for the fact that her eyes could be seen blinking in the footage on that day, one might discern that she had died, as she no longer could move. On the morning of the 37th day, the investigator inquired as to her whereabouts as she was no longer in her cage. She was told that Angel had died.

PETA presented its footage of Angel to an HSPCA officer. After reviewing the evidence, he contacted the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME). According to the chief investigator with the TBVME, it was not illegal for RWE to provide its own veterinary care. He also added that unfortunately many animals die under veterinary care every day. Ultimately it was determined that there was not enough evidence to prosecute RWE, and it was business as usual for them. Although it was evident that Angel was neglected at the hands of RWE and died as a result, authorities did not intervene. The store did not lose their ability to operate and continue to do so today.

The store persists in performing unsafe and harmful procedures on the animals. There is footage taken by PETA showing them neutering small animals such as rabbits with the dull razor blades without anesthesia, in unsanitary conditions. Filthy, overcrowded cages are shown, void of enrichments and lacking proper amounts of food and water such that animals cannibalize each other.

Due to the warehouse-like environment overcrowded with so many animals, the noise level is deafening. Live animals that did not appear healthy could be seen lying in trashcans, discarded like garbage, deprived of medical care, which was so desperately needed. The footage also shows many animals dying alone in their cages. The HSPCA Officer's comment regarding this neglect and abuse was that it was not illegal in Texas to neuter one's own animals. With respect to live animals left in trashcans, the officer indicated that the footage did not show who put the animals in the trashcans, hence no charge could be levied.

All the video footage has been shown to the retail stores that use RWE as their supplier and most continue to do business with them. Upon calling the corporate office of one major pet retailer and asking how they could continue to support RWE in spite of clear evidence of abuse, the response was that RWE was cleared of any wrong doing and that they had gone out to RWE themselves and saw no evidence of abuse.

What is wrong here? Why do animal breeding mills get away with outright abuse? Why is it that organizations such as PETA have to compile countless hours documenting proof of animal suffering to obtain acknowledgement that abuse exists? Why do some cases, like Angel's, go to the point of death? This would never be allowed if a human being were in question. Why the double standard when it comes to an animal? Why are animals viewed as less than ourselves? All legitimate questions to ponder.

We must change our values and our culture and begin to take the well being of animals just as seriously as that of humans. We must begin to see through the eyes of animals instead of just ours. Animal values must be held in the same regard as human values. And, laws regarding animal protection must change.

Help should have come to Angel the very first day her plight was noticed by the PETA investigator, but sadly this was not to be due to the manner in which laws are written. Even one day of what Angel experienced was unacceptable. She should never have had to endure the suffering she did. What did the world look like through her eyes? There is no doubt that during the short four months of her life, the world was a very cruel place to Angel. She should have known love and kindness, established bonds with other birds and people, and she certainly should have been allowed to live out a natural lifespan.

While birds and other animals have desires that vary from ours, they are nonetheless legitimate and deserve respect. Animals do have plans, favorite foods, emotions, and are able to experience disappointment and suffering. Animals have every right to live with dignity and without fear from harm. They are not merchandise for our use and they deserve the same protections we do. We must stop dominating animals for our economic gain.

Since viewing the video of Angel on the PETA website, I have carried her in my heart as I am sure many others have, and she will never be forgotten. The only relief from her suffering was death and she was just a baby. Had it not been for PETA's footage, knowledge of her existence would never have escaped her prison. Many animals go through a great deal of suffering and die without the least acknowledgement. Angel represents all animals that suffer at the hands of people whose only interest is profit.

When I look at the parrots with whom I live, I see Angel, and wonder what life might have been for her had she been cherished and cared for. Life is so precious and must be respected. The fact of the matter is, there are many animals out there that are abused each day in breeding facilities and elsewhere. Laws vary from state to state regarding their protection. Laws must be reviewed and rewritten in consideration of the welfare of animals. Unfortunately most laws are written in favor of those whose only focus is profit, and generally are vague such that there is ample room for interpretation to suite human gain.

As a result of bearing witness to the plight of Angel and that of countless other animals, I am motivated to do my part to change attitudes, laws and policies concerning them. This involves a new way of thinking and behaving. We must not continue to think of ourselves as superior to animals. We must let go of that mindset. All animals must be valued, nurtured and protected. We must change how we view animals and no longer regard their exploitations as normal, but an outrage. We have a responsibility to all animals on our planet whose very existence is threatened by our thoughtlessness.