A small step for Boulder. A meaningful step for animals.

The Boulder Bird Sales Campaign is a local initiative working to end the retail sale of birds in pet stores in Boulder.

This effort builds on a growing movement of cities across the United States that have passed laws restricting the retail sale of pet animals to address systemic welfare concerns.

Behind the scenes of the pet trade, many birds are bred and transported through systems that prioritize profit over welfare. These animals may spend their lives confined to cages, unable to fly, socialize naturally, or express basic behaviors. Many develop severe stress and long-term health issues as a result.

Pet stores play a key role in sustaining this system by turning birds into impulse purchases, even though many species require complex, lifelong care.

We believe Boulder can be a leader in changing this. By passing a local ordinance to prohibit the retail sale of birds, we can take a meaningful step toward reducing demand for this system and promoting more responsible alternatives, such as adoption.

We are a grassroots volunteer campaign led by local advocates committed to practical, evidence-based policy change that improves the lives of animals.

Parakeets for sale at PETSMART in Boulder, April 2026