NLPR Questionaire

Submitted by ian on Sat, 03/01/2008 - 15:06.

Take part in this questionnaire to see how well you understand the nature of parrots and which category they fall in!

We are undertaking an educational survey in the interests of parrot welfare. We will publish the results in due course.

The five categories used to classify pet animals are from a paper by C A Shuppli and D Fraser in 'Animal Welfare' - the journal of the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, 2000, Vol 9.

The question is: ‘How would you categorise ‘pet’ (companion) parrots?’ Please exclude cockatiels, budgerigars and lovebirds.

Where a category mentions "effects on the community and the environment" it relates to matters such as noise problems, disease transmission, physical human safety and what to do with 'unwanted' members of that type of pet animal etc.

So, in which of the following five categories do you think 'pet' parrots would be best placed?

Species whose use for companionship is generally positive for *both* the owner and the animal, whose needs are easily met, whose procurement and transportation raise no appreciable problems, and whose use involves no apparent risks to the community or the environment.
Species that require significant commitment of time and/or resources in order that their use be positive for the animal and the owner, but where ownership is unproblematic with regard to procurement, transportation and effects on the community and the environment. Substantial owner education may be needed for such species.
Species that have complex or demanding requirements needing skilful and knowledgeable owners who are prepared to commit significant time and/or resources to animal ownership, but where ownership is unproblematic with regard to procurement, transportation and effects on the community and the environment. Control of ownership (e.g. ownership only by qualified persons) may be appropriate for such species.
Species where there are areas of insufficient knowledge (eg regarding procurement, transportation, environmental impact or the animal's needs) to allow a confident assessment of its suitability as a companion animal. Use of these species might be acceptable in the future if knowledge becomes adequate and any necessary safeguards are in place.
Species that are unsuitable as companion animals because of undue harm or risk of harm to one or more of - the animal, the owner, the community, or the environment.