Chlamydophila psittaci

Ok, so I just last night found out that the local PetSmart by us has an outbreak of Chlamydophila psittaci. This is a avian infection that is transmittable to people. We have been going to this particular store now for almost 6 weeks to sit and admire one of the birds that they have there (White Capped Pionus) {see below}, and dream about possibly taking him home. Now the entire bird population at this PetSmart has been on quarantine since late December due to a possible infection. Two weeks ago we asked what was wrong and we were informed that it was strictly precautionary that they were still in "lock down". Now last night when we went in to admire the Pionus, we asked if it were possible to be able to hold him. We were told no - due to the fact that the entire flock has been under veterinary care for Chlamydophila psittaci, and since it is transmittable, we were not allowed. Now this was told to us this time by a friend who knows that we own our own flock of feathered friends, and she did not want us to become either carriers or become sick ourselves. I am upset that we were mislead regarding this issue, but I guess that it is due to lack of communication between employees. We were also told that the employees that did not follow the rules for care have become sick themselves. So I guess in a way karmic retribution. I don't want anyone to be sick, but don't lie about the health of your animals for sale or otherwise.



This is what the white capped pionus looks like: