Dear Editor,

<p>Lemon Grove voters should vote NO on the proposed bird sales ban.</p> <p>Everyone should support high standards of avian care, responsible ownership, education, and enforcement against neglect. But this initiative takes the wrong approach. It bans lawful bird sales instead of addressing poor care where it occurs.</p> <p>If there are concerns involving specific businesses, the answer should be inspections, enforcement, care standards, and accountability. A blanket ban does not distinguish between poor operators and responsible aviculturists who provide healthy birds, proper education, and long-term support for bird owners.</p> <p>This measure would replace responsible, educated aviculturists with a rescue-only retail model that may not be able to meet public demand or guarantee better outcomes for birds. Bird rescues already face serious capacity challenges. Banning lawful local sales does not eliminate demand for birds; it may simply push people toward online sellers, informal sales, or sources with less oversight and less education.</p> <p>Responsible aviculture is part of the solution. Birds are best protected through education, standards, inspections, responsible ownership, and enforcement against neglect — not blanket bans.</p> <p>Please vote NO on the Lemon Grove bird sales ban.</p>