Letter Writing, Mickaboo, and how we're doing what we can

This is largely reposted from corpsefairy's journal. She and I sent this letter a couple of days ago, and we are asking that those of you interested in acting on behalf of eclipsegryph and his three cockatiels send copies or similar letters.

To the Board of Directors of Peninsula Peace and Justice,

We would like to bring an issue to your attention regarding one of the vendors at your upcoming Holiday Craft Fair. We have deep concerns about the ethics of Mickaboo, who are holding three cockatiels belonging to James Spaid.

The birds were joint property of James and Cody Spaid, who are now divorcing. They had verbally agreed that Mr. Spaid would keep them, but Ms. Spaid surrendered the birds to Mickaboo without Mr. Spaid's knowledge or consent. Mickaboo has refused to return them despite the fact that Mr. Spaid has provided them with proof of ownership, including vet records and written statements of the birds' previous owners. Mickaboo has refused to work with Mr. Spaid to resolve this situation, instead forcing him to join it in a divorce suit and expend enormous legal fees to regain custody of his pets.

One of the birds is elderly and all three have special medical needs. Recent legal communications revealed that one of the cockatiels is gravely ill with cancer, but Mickaboo has not allowed Mr. Spaid to see her, nor have they provided much information about the health of his beloved birds.

As parrot owners and firm believers in social justice, we believe that Mickaboo is an unethical organization and it should not be supported unless it dramatically changes its policies and returns Aki, Aya, and Alcyone to their home. We are deeply concerned about this issue. As a Palo Alto resident who has worked with other pet rescues, I am shocked at how Mickaboo has handled this situation.

We ask that Mickaboo be removed from your list of organizations represented at your upcoming craft fair. Thank you very much for your attention in this matter.

Sincerely,

[name]

The relevant email address is board@peaceandjustice.org. Their website is here. Background on this situation can be found here and here. Perhaps the worst of it is that one of the birds, Aya according to Mickaboo, has recently been diagnosed with cancer and undergone very dangerous surgery. At least Mickaboo treated her, but she remains away from her home and her person. These little birds really need to come home.

Letters to Mickaboo itself might not be a bad idea, either, although they've made it clear that they are going to hang onto these poor birds until the court orders them to do so---which it will, but it may take an unknown amount of time to do so. The legal system works slowly, and Aya may not have much time. Many of Mickaboo's volunteers are ethical people, it's apparently just some of them and the administration that is corrupt. In my opinion, the more public outcry Mickaboo hears about its misdeeds, the more likely someone within it is to actually listen. Their address is mail@mickaboo.org