SPCA seizes 550 exotic birds in Montreal

The Montreal SPCAhasseized more than550 exotic birds, including parrots, cockatoos and finches,from a pet store and breeding facility.

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AlannaDevine, director of animal advocacy, said the organization seized the animals under the Criminal CodelastThursday,after an investigation foundthey were lacking adequate access to water and food. Some of the birds even died, shesaid.

Devine said the birds werecaught in the wild in other countries and imported into Canada.

"The birds are in the custody of the SPCA and are receiving the attention they require, but they still belong to the owner and we're in the process of building our file," Devinesaid.

The pet store hasn't been identified because charges haven't been laid, Devine said.

The SPCAhopes the case raises awareness about the need to have stronger provincial laws protectingexotic animals.

Homerun8:04SPCA seizes 550 exotic birds

The Montreal SPCA seized more than 550 exotic birds from a pet storeand breeding facility. The SPCA's Alanna Devine says legislation inQuebec doesn't go far enough to protect exotic pets like birds.

"Cases such as this one demonstrate that birds, and many other species of exotic animals that are regularly bought and sold in this province, and who have complex physiological and behavioural needs, require basic protection under our provincial animal welfare legislation," Devine said.

She said the SPCA willpush the Quebec government to amend the proposedBill 54 to include provisions to protectanimals such as exotic birds, as well as captive wildlife in zoos or breeding facilities.

Hearings into the legislation are scheduled tobe held at the Quebec National Assemblythis fall.

Rules vary across country

Across Canada, regulations governing exotic pets vary widely, and animal welfare groups have long argued for stronger regulations.

The issue was thrust into the spotlight in 2013, when two young boys were killed by an African python in New Brunswick.

RobLaidlaw, executive director ofZoocheckCanada,called the lack of rules around exotic pets in Quebec'sproposed new law a"massive oversight.

"Each province deals with it with a slightly different way," Laidlawsaid.

"There's not a lot of consistency from province to province, but Ithink the trend is to move forward on regulating this kind of thing."