Broadmead Retirement Community Removes Bird Box That Caused a Flap

After Discussions With PETA, Community Will Replace Barren Box With Rooftop Sanctuary

For Immediate Release:
December 12, 2013

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

For the past dozen years, finches have been locked inside a small barren display case—where they were trapped day in and day out, with no room to fly freely or exhibit other normal behavior—at Broadmead, a retirement community in Cockeysville. After one of the community’s residents tipped off PETA on behalf of others who live there and who were upset by the birds’ plight, the group sprang into action, contacting Broadmead and mobilizing its members and supporters to call for the box’s removal—and their efforts have paid off. As of November 25, the glass box was removed from Broadmead, which is now planning a rooftop sanctuary—that will be visible from many parts of the community—and feature plantings and birdbaths to attract wild, free-flying birds from the area, allowing residents to enjoy watching lively, joyous birds in a natural setting.

“Long ago, it was said that it ‘puts all heaven in a rage’ to see a bird in a cage, and now everyone’s happy because there are no sad little finches on display at Broadmead,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “Now PETA is urging other facilities to follow Broadmead’s lead and find ways to bring joy to residents without harming other living beings.”

The box—which a Broadmead representative admitted was “outdated”— was provided by Robin’s Nest Aviaries, Inc., the company that owned it and the birds who were locked in it, with no water to bathe in and barely a few feet to move, let alone adequate room to fly. An avian expert who reviewed photographs of the bird box at Broadmead called it “terrible” for these animals.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.