I live in NC and, sadly, many people down here still seem to think that animals are property with no thoughts and feelings - people who have plenty of land and money drop pets who have become "troublesome" or "inconvenient" at the shelter rather than trying to find them homes with family and friends, the papers are FULL of puppies, kittens and all sort of pets for sale and the shelters and rescues suffer greatly for lack of funds...not everyone down here is like that, of course, but it does seem to be rather prevalent...hopefully these poor birds will end up in good homes...I only wish I had the time to dedicate to a parrot right now...

Greedy bastard. My kids need to go to school, so I'll just breed and sell birds. What, me responsible?

Dear Mr. Stampler,

Sorry, but regardless of how many children you have, auctioning off birds is still dead wrong!Perhaps you should have considered the expense of having a child (1 million dollars plus, per child after all is said and done) before you had FOUR of them! You could try making better choices in the future, like doing right by these birds! Think about their suffering, their life, their rights!

Gee, Mr. Stampler needs to work because he has four kids in private school? I guess in his mind that justifies cruel practices. Plus, if he doesn't do it someone else will (so he says). Put your kids in public school and stand up for what is right!

I agree -- they're all greedy b*st*rds. Stampler's is the second criminal. Beech's Nest Bird Ranch is the first criminal. We must push for national legislation to stop these breeder mills. These people all are nothing but scum with no morals whatsoever. I pray these people's children get that expensive education they say they have to pay for -- so they don't end up like their ignorant parents.

Perhaps in a kinder more understanding world a better approach to Stamplers' comments might be to educate him on the thousands of birds that will become homeless due to inappropriate homes or deaths of their companions. Coming from an area that is somewhat "backward", I truly believe that many of these folks just do not understand what they are involved in. Let's educate and enlighten!

I certainly hope those kids are learning about empathy and compassion in those private schools, because they aren't going to learn either from their father. Shame on you, sir.

Agree with Alex

North Carolina (and some others like Missouri, Arkansas etc) are still places where backwards "hillbilly law" or the good ole boy mindset holds

Puppy mills death camps, hunters that just dump their surplus on the roads (because they believe in the old wives tale that unaltered dogs won't hunt. Stupid? Heck yeah!) are all big problems that legislators just look the other way on

Dog and bird fighting & breeding is not only bad- there are some (repeat, some) members of law enforcement, the government that participate!

It will change when the citizens decide they don't want to live in the Dark Ages, and also when these states' ugly secrets get exposed for the world to see

Look for lots of the "animals as property" groupies in states loike these

I love my 2 conures! But my initial reaction to this is, "Where do we all think our birds come from?" Are they not from breeders? Are mated birds having babies worse then when we separate and raise one bird alone by themselves? Do we know that this breeder keeps these birds under bad conditions? Do we know the financial and/or personal reasons this breeder must get rid of these birds quickly? Do we know if he tried to sell thru private channels first? Are "you" going to buy any of them? Are you going to "rescue" any of them? Am I truly uninformed? These seemingly harsh blanket judgements of others, without any specific facts to the individual situation, only work against getting support from the general public. Wouldn't a photo from Beech's be more honest then the one used? (First time network member, long-time Best Friends supporter:o)

These are bird breeding mills- as bad as puppy breeding mills

If you care about birds, you don't buy birds that originate from these places, or else you are rewarding abusers

You ADOPT them (and heavens knows there are enough birds that need homes)

Amazon, maybe you need to educate yourself about bird breeding mills if you love birds. The reason that they continue is that people who claim to love birds don't even know they exist, let alone try to change things

I wanted to share the exchange I had with the president of that auction house:

My Original email:

I'm very disappointed (and disgusted) that your company is auctioning off live birds. eBay won't auction live animals due to ethical reasons, so why will you? Is your auction house less ethical than a heartless Internet giant?

This is very upsetting. I certainly will never buy or sell anything through a company that treats live creatures the same as office furniture. The statement, "Everything sells on auction day!" is a clear indicator that these lives are just another lot to your company. Tasteless.

Please reconsider hosting this auction and any like it.

Sincerely,
Maggie Galvin

StamplerAuctions@aol.com wrote:

> Sorry that you feel the way you do. We are not out to hurt anyone or any birds. Our goal is to help out
> Mr. Beech, who has cancer, again. The birds will be sold to other breeders and persons who care about these birds. It is and has been common practice for animals to be sold at auction. These birds are not being sold for slaughter, but specifically to procreate, thereby insuring continuity of species which are not allowed to be imported into the U.S.
>
> Thanks for your comments.
>
> Harry Stampler, President
>
> Stampler Auctions
> 2080 C Tigertail Boulevard
> Dania, FL 33004
> 954.921.8888...office
> 954.342.2080...facsimile
>
> www.stamplerauctions.com
> harry@stamplerauctions.com

And I replied:

Mr. Stampler,

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I think our different views on this matter come down to the fundamental belief in an animal having a soul - or not. No one has accused you of selling the animals for slaughter. Those of us who have a problem with this auction are opposed to the selling of sentient beings as a commodity. As an African American, I have a real problem with any living creature being sold as a product in part because all the arguments for doing so have been used in the past to justify the sale of my own relatives. This applies to every argument you have made below, and I find each one of said explanations personally insulting. Fortunately for me and my family, good people took a stand against those who participated in those "common practices" in the past and helped our country move forward from those dark times, but clearly the same exploitation is still going on with others who have no say in their futures.

Another problem most people who are interested in animal welfare have with this sort of sale is that there is no guarantee of the qualification of the individuals who are buying - the animals simply go to the highest bidder. Any implication that this auction is being held for any humane objectives is clearly false. "Continuity of species" is, I'm sure, happening just fine for these birds in their native lands. Otherwise, such a responsibility should be left to experts in zoos and wildlife organizations along side the preservation of other endangered species, not random buyers with the right amount of money. Any claims of continuation of species are sheerly for the vanity of those who choose to, again, breed and sell these living souls as a commodity.

I had hoped that your auction house would hold itself to at least the standards of the very common eBay, but it is clear you will not and have no interest in doing so. Although your intent is not to specifically hurt these birds, in the end you are allowing it to happen and profiting from it, and therefore are not innocent of any guilt in the matter. As some say, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." I am just as disappointed in you as I was before, and will continue to encourage others to specifically boycott your services. I will see to it that this matter continues to circulate throughout MySpace and care2.com.

Very sincerely,
Maggie Galvin

LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO HAND OUT FLYERS ON THIS DAY_CONTACT AT HTE BOTTOM!!!

Everyone can help, not any-one. It takes more than 1 person to make a difference and together we can all help put an end to this. Legally, he has a right to sell them any way he chooses, we have no rights to stop him, but as a nation we have the power to vote with our dollars. You can choose not to purchase items from, or support, those that have chosen to support, promote, advertise or assist in this auction. There was a big ad in a popular bird magazine. You could also send letters to the editor cancelling your subscription and letting them know exactly why and suggest others do the same. I would suggest that you do not bid, do not purchase and let everyone know of your choice who will listen.



We would like to hand out flyers in front of the building about our educational program for potential new owners or others in need of information about current standards of care for parrots. Would you like to volunteer to help with this? The parrots need all the help they can get from concerned people like you.



I know it doesn’t sound like much, but hitting all the pockets involved does make a huge impact.



Neesie Mann

Phoenix Landing Foundation

Charlotte Area Coordinator/Volunteer

neesie@phoenixlanding.org

Hi!
My name is Larisa. I am in the process to be moving to Brazil. I dont know about another birds, but macaw, is one of the birds, that I think , should go home, to Amazons. They are beautifull birds, but very hard to train due to there size and temperament. Why dont the action will let me buy them for the disent amount of money, so I can take them back home, where they belong. It brakes my hart, that people are so hartless, when it come to this beauty of the Gods creation. My e-mail address is almirandlarisa@aol.com, if you think, that this birds belong to nature, fauna,God, freedom, write to me and tell me how you can help.
I am gratefull to everybody, whom understand and willing to help this beautifull creatures to be free and happy!
Thank you again. Larisa.

They have moved the auction to Ft. Lauderdale Fl according to http://stamplerauctions.com/033107main.htm

i acalled and the auction is still on in greensboro!there is also one in florida-he said it was a many place type thing!

I LIVE A MILE FROM THE BEECH NEST RANCH AND I AM SHOCKED THAT PEOPLE WOULD MAKE SUCH DEROGATORY STATEMENTS ABOUT THE BEECH NEST RANCH WITH OUT EVENING KNOWING THE PEOPLE OR ANY THING ABOUT THE RANCH, , I GO THERE A LOT AND CAN TELL YOU THAT THE BEECHS ARE WONDERFUL LOVING PEOPLE THAT GIVE THIER BIRDS THE BEST OF CARE AND LOVE, SO BEFORE YOU GO SHOOTING OFF YOU MOUTH VISIT THE RANCH AND MEET THE PEOPLE, THAT IS THE TROUBLE WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE THEY JUDGE OTHERS WITH OUT HAVING A SINGLE MERIT TO JUDGE THEM ON, THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT SELLING THIER BIRDS TO "" MAKE BIG MONEY '''' THEY ARE SELLING THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE BEING FORCED TO DUE TO THE ILLINESS MR. BEECH HAS FOUGHT 2 LONG HARD YEARS WITH CANCER AND NOW ITS BACK AGAIN, AND THIS HAS BEEN A LONG HARD DESISION FOR THEM TO MAKE , TO GIVE UP SOMETHING THEY LOVE AND LOVE DOING, I KNOW I HAVE SEE THE HURT AND TEARS OVER THIS DESISION, THIER BIRDS GET THE BEST OF CARE AND THE CLEANINESS OF THE BIRDS LIVING AREA ARE ABOVE AND BEYOND GREAT, AND THE BABY NURSARY IS AWESOME I FOR ONE IF I HAD TO HAVE OPEN HEART SURGERY I WOULD WANT TO HAVE IT IN THIER BIRD NURSARY SINCE IT IS CLEANER AND MORE SANTIZED THAN SOME HOSPITALS ARE. AND AS THE SAYING GOES'' THERE BY THE GRACE OF GOD GO I AND UNTIL YOU HAVE WALKED A MILE IN THIER SHOES, DON'T BE SO QUICK TO SHOOT OFF YOUR MOUTH ABOUT THINGS YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT, AND YOU CAN REST ASURE BEFORE THEY PICKED A AUCTION THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND WOULD ONLY LET GOOD PEOPLE SELL THIER BIRDS.. THEY ARE THE TYPE OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE AND WILL PAY VERY LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO VETS TO ASURE THIER BIRDS ARE HEALTHY AND IF ONE GETS SICK THEY SPARE NO EXSPENCE TO GET IT WELL AGAIN. EVEN IT THE BIRD IS NOT A BREEDER BIRD AND DOES NOT MAKE THEM MONEY THEY WILL BE SURE THE BIRD IS VET CHECKED AND CARED FOR,,,I HAVE SEEN FIRST HAND THE LOVE AND CARE THEY GIVE THIER BIRDS AND WILL DO EVER THING IN THIER POWER TO SEE TO IT THAT THIER BIRDS GO TO RESPONSIBLE BUYERS,, AND ONCE THEY SELL A BABY THEY KEEP A OPEN HANDS ON POLICY WITH THIER BUYERS THEY ARE ALWAYS ADVAILABLE TO THEM TO HELP ANY WAY THEY CAN, THEY ARE NOT SOME BACK YARD BREEDER OUT TO MAKE A FAST BUCK , THEY DO IT WITH A OPEN LOVING SINCERE HEART,, AND HAVE DONE IT FOR MANY YEARS AND EVERY ONE THAT KNOWS THEN HOLD THEM IN THE HIGHEST REGARD... I WILL BE THERE AT THE VIEWINGS AND AUCTION EVER STEP OF THE WAY TO GIVE THEM MY SUPPORT BECAUSE I KNOW THE HURT THEY ARE FEELING, AND I FOR ONE HAVE A COMPASSIONALLY HEART!! SO JUST KEEP IN MIND THAT WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND, AND ONE DAY YOU MAY VERY WELL HAVE TO WALK IN THIER SHOES!! WHAT EVER HAPPEN TO JUDGE NOT LESS YE BE JUDGED.. AND I PRAY NONE OF YOU ARE EVERY FACED WITH A LIFE THREATING DESISION TO GIVE UP SOMETHING YOU LOVE AND LOVE DOING AS THE BEECH'S HAVE HAD TO DO....
GINA A TRUE BIRD AND OWNERLOVER

THIS IS FOR THE LADY WHO THINKS MACAWS AR NOT TRAINABE BOY ARE YOU WAY OUT IN LEFT FIELD IN YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THESE BIRDS I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL GREENWING MACAW HAVE HAD HIM FOR 14 YEARS HE IS VERY SWEET AND SMART HAS NEVER BIT ME OR BEEN MEAN IN ANY WAY I ALSO INTERACT WITH A LOT OF MACAWS AND FIND THEM TO BE WONDERFUL BIRDS, AND AS FOR YOUR COMMENT AS TO LET YOU BUY THEM AND TAKE THEM HOME TO BE SET FREE, LADY YOU DON'T HAVE A CLUE YOU WOULD BE SIGNING THIER DEATH WARRANT BIRDS RAISE IN CAPTIVED COULD NOT FIN FOR THEMSELF AND WOULD BE KILLED BY OTHER BIRDS AND OTHER WILD ANIMALS BUT YOUR A BIRD LOVER RIGHT?? AND DO YOUR HOME WORK ALL MACAWS DO NOT COME FROM BRAZIL AND FOR THE RECORD MARCAWS ARE NOT HARD TO TRAIN AND DO A LOT OF THINGS ON THIER OWN THEY LOVE THE ATTENTIONS AND REACTIONS THEY GET FROM PEOPLE,,, MY GREENWING WILL MAKE HIS SELF THE CENTER OF ATTENTION WHEN COMPANY COMES... AND HE DOES IT ON HIS OWN BECAUSE HE WANTS TO DO IT NOT BECAUSE HE HAS TO DO IT... PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS SPOUT OFF AT THE MOUTH WITH OUT A CLUE AS TO WHAT THEY ARE SAYING OH AND AS FOR THIER SIZE DID YOU KNOW THE GREENWING IS THE SECOND LARGER MACAW AND IS KNOW AS THE GENTLE GAINT,, BUT I DOUBT YOU KNOW EVEN THAT MUCH ABOUT THESE WONDERFUL BIRDS....

this is for alex yes a lot of kittens and dogs end up homeless but so do a lot of children because some women breed like flies and don't take responiable for thier children the children;s homes are full of unwanted children so why don't some of you people on here that is raising hell about the bird auction start a camplain to stop these women from breeding and leaving inocent babies with out parents or home, but that would be to close to doing the right thing for human babies now would'en it...

this is for looking for people to pass out flyers. don't you think its childlish and right down stupid to try and get people to stop buying bird talk just because you don't like what they printed, i bet you don't complain about the new paper just because you don't like what they print,, and new papers can print a lot of things people don't agree with its very unfair to trash a magazine just because you don't like what they printed grow up igguana oh and by the way don't igguana belong to nature to???

TO RUTHY92
I LIVE IN NC AND I AM NOT A BACKWARDS HILLBILLY NOR DO I GO BY ANY "HILLBILLY LAW" IN FACT I HAVE SEVERAL DEGREES, AND I ALSO PERSONALLY KNOW THE PEOPLE THAT OWN BEECH'S NEST RANCH AND YOU WON'T FIND A MORE WONDERFUL LOVING COUPLE THAN THE BEECH'S ARE AND THE CARE THEY GIVE THIER BIRDS IS AMAZING, AND I FEEL IT IS VERY STUPID AND "BACKWARDS" FOR PEOPLE TO ASSUME THEY RUN A BIRD MILL, AND MAKE SMAP JUDGEMENTS ABOUT THEM WITH OUT KNOWING THE REASON, WHAT IF YOU WAS IN THE SHAPE MR. BEECH IS IN AND HAS HAD THIS LONG HARD BATTLE WITH CANCER ONLY TO HAVE IT COME BACK A BATTLE HE COULD VERY WELL LOSE, HOW WOULD ANY OF YOU FEEL IT YOU WERE IN HIS SHOES AND READ ALL THIS GARBAGE ABOUT YOURSELVES, IT WOULD NOT MAKE YOU FEEL SO GOOD WOULD IT... BUT WE ALL KNOW THE TOUNGE IS A EVIL NO MAN CAN TAME, AND IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN ANY OTHER WEAPON....
GINAJADE

Wow, ginajade, you post a lot, and in caps no less. I don't know if you realize it, but that amounts to screaming at the top of your lungs on a discussion board. I'm sure they didn't let you write like that in college.

For the record, I personally do have a problem with people who breed more people irresponsibly. I'm against all neglect, overpopulation and profiting from the sale of lives, regardless of species. Souls are souls, and they should all be cared for responsibly.

I would like to ask your opinion - how much personal care and attention do you feel a couple can give 500+ birds? And would a loving parent refer to their pet as a "proven factory"?

OK OK lets talk about where this man is at...Cancer and the inability of taking care of these birds due to his illness. The fact is folks is he has these birds and either he cannot take care of them or he needs the money to pay his bills. So what do you you want him to do surrender all of these birds for free? Come on be real he has alot of money tied up with them even if they are breeding stock. Remember he had to have paid for them. From the pictures I have seen they are in pretty good shape and have ample room to fly around in their cages. You people who are saying you are for the animals may have had situations in the past where you had just cause but I feel you should investigated the mans birds and cages before you jumped the gun...also if the man is as well known as I know him to be ( being from NC also but never been to his home) would think that if they were in bad shape or even thier conditions that the local SPCA would have intervened. If you honestly want a HillyBillys point of veiw you should visit these so called mom and pop pets shops that sell animals that are in their own waste, or better yet lets talk about all these people who sell puppies on the side of the roads or in shopping center parking lots. Oh yes and while I am at it... you conerned people who are acting out about this poor man with cancer who has thousands and thousands of dollars of birds and is doing what is right by him, do you stop for every animal you see that is homeless or strayed away from their homes? I honestly dont think so. Be real folks get a cause that honestly has more need of your attention. BUT KNOW YOUR FACTS.

Id just like to say that you all have the wrong Idea about the Beech's.
I think that maybe before you attack someones caracter you should try to know them first. I am a new member of this club and probably wont be accepted after this post but oh well, i've been kicked out of better places so here I go. The information you all have supplied to the public is completely inacurate when reffering to the beech's. Having met them personally I feel I can say that.They have cared for each and every one of their birds as no-one else could have including you all or myself. they have even kept and housed Blind , krippled , elderly , and infirmed birds with the highest standards of care available. as they still do and you would know if you truly cared as you say you do for the wellfare of theese birds. they have spent almost 40 yrs researching and caring for birds , participating in medical studies that brought forth medicines for birds that we all have or may have needed from time to time. helping to develop medicines and vacines for birds that were much needed. they even continue to care for birds that serve absolutely no monatary purpose whatsoever. If they were the kind of monsters you people make them out to be they certainly never would have done that. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
But no , it all boils down to someone wanting what someone else has and thats it. If you truly were concerned about the birds you would know that its never better to take theese birds and try to re introduce them to the wild. that would be a disaster. They would most likely end up in someones glue traps. Its appalling to me that you think you or "your friends" can give better care to theese birds than people who have raised and cared for them for years. You must have bumped your head. I realize that birds will be sold as breeders , but in fact thats what they are . Its what they have done and how they are acustomed to living and its too late to change that. The most important thing is that they will be fed , housed , and cared for in a loving enviorment for the rest of their lives . I know many bird breeders and I cant tell you of one who does not love and care for their birds as much as their children . however , you want to put them in rescue 's where they may or may not have the funding to care for them . depending on other people to give you the money to take care of them when their already being cared for where they are. You or I do not have the right to judge the Beech's or question their intentions . they are good people doing the best they can do and this rescue stuff is a bunch of horse shit. If you want birds I suggest you go out and buy some like the rest of us. It will be much more appreciated and loved if you have to pay for it. Thats the bottom line. Life is not always fair and We have to do the best we can to support one another. not put each other down and try to take what belongs to someone else. You people should have to earn the right to call yourselves rescues.Lets face it whats the difference in a rescue charging for birds and a pet dealer selling birds? just because you call it an "adoption fee" doest make it any better. you are still recieving money for the bird's that was given , donated or taken by you so thats a 100% proffit no matter how you look at it. now if you were taking birds or animals , caring for them at your expense , and then adopting them to loving homes at no charge or for no compensation then in my opinion thats the definition of a rescue. but that in fact is not what you do.I think you ashould all just step back and look at what your doing.

There is a lot of argument on this site defending this Auctioneer.
First of all the animals are in need of love and care. Those cages are worse than prisons. Selling animals and breeding more when there are plenty that need homes is not socially responsible. I am sure he has kids and bills to pay but don't we all??!! I work two jobs to just pay for bills. Many people have medical problems families to feed and bills to pay but breeding animals to make money is irresponsible. They may be good people in need of education and counseling to help them understand. What can be done to curb this practice?