Don Crown (Budgieman) respects the welfare of animals and is registered under the Performing Animals Act 1925. He supports the aims Animal Welfare Act 2006 which states that owners are responsible for ensuring that their animal's welfare needs are met.

The key points of the Animal Welfare act are detailed below:

"A suitable environment (place to live)"
The budgies are kept in a large purpose built outdoor aviary with good lighting, ventilation. Environmentally control heating is provided in the cold weather and a specially built air-vent fan in the summer to keeps them cool.

"a suitable diet"
Budgieman ensures they are fed twice every day with a good diet of fresh bird seed and a weekly feed of millet. Sometimes they are given a treat of fresh lettuce and apple which are then removed after one day before they go bad.

"exhibit normal behaviour patterns"
The budgies are happy whether they are performing for a few hours on at the weekend or resting during the week. They chirp happily and have play around in the aviary. In the summer months are given the supervised freedom to enjoy the garden and house regularly.

"be housed with or apart from other animals (if applicable)"
They are kept securely aware from dogs and cats. There are about 12 budgies all living happily together with each other.

"be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease"
Budgieman has over 20 years experience with budgies. He knows how to love and care for them. He can quickly spot if they get ill and will segregate them into special hospital cages until they are fit and well to join the rest of the team. Many of the budgies have been rescued from other people or pet shops where unfortunately their previous owners may not have given enough love and care as they are not always able to afford fees to look after them, nor have proper knowledge of care.

"provided with suitable transport"
On the occasions where they need to be transported they have a very special portable dressing room, complete with fresh water and food. The cage is large enough for them to move around and they each have their own perch to sit on.

Budgieman Don Crown also supports the good work of PAWSI who is the proposed regulatory body for all animal personnel who work with animals in entertainment and who need to be registered with PAWSI under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Further information:-

• Don Crown "Budgieman" - www.budgieman.co.uk
• Animal Welfare - www.defra.gov.uk
• PAWSI - www.pawsi.org