37 Cockatiels and 9 Rabbits Rescued from Mira Road Café in Thane

A total of 37 cockatiels and nine sick rabbits were rescued from a café in Mira Road, Thane, following reports that the animals were being kept in deplorable conditions. Animal welfare organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India intervened in the matter after receiving alerts from local residents, leading to the immediate rescue and transfer of the animals for rehabilitation.

The action was initiated after concerned citizens sent calls and emails reporting the situation at the commercial establishment. The café had reportedly kept the birds and rabbits confined in dingy, filthy cages, lacking adequate food, water, and mental stimulation.

Following the reports, PETA India local volunteer Abhishek Kumar visited the Mira Road café to assess the situation. Kumar engaged with the management of the establishment and convinced them to allow the animals to be handed over for rescue.

After being removed from the café, all the birds and rabbits underwent medical health check-ups and received necessary treatment for their conditions. The animals were then transported to the Kalote Animal Trust, an animal rescue sanctuary, where they have been placed for permanent rehabilitation.

Addressing the rescue, PETA India cruelty response coordinator Ishani Rathee emphasized the negative impact of caging animals for commercial display. She stated that birds are social beings born to fly freely in the open sky rather than spend their lives lonely and miserable in cages. She also noted that using birds and other animals for display or entertainment in cafés and restaurants can drive customers away, as many patrons are unwilling to support businesses where animals face cruelty. The organisation also pointed out that the illegal bird trade routinely deprives birds of their natural environments to sell them as pets.