We are very sorry for Mr Collins for the loss of Gizmo, his African Grey parrot.

We also purchased an African Grey from Paradise Pets 19 months ago. Merlin is a great source of joy to us both.

We have only praise for all of the staff at Paradise Pets. They were extremely helpful when we purchased Merlin. We knew absolutely nothing about birds at all. They gave us excellent advice on how to look after him, the address of a vet who is an expert in exotic birds and also details on insurance.

For Mr Collins to say that insurance wasn't really an option after paying over a thousand pounds for the bird and vital necessities, £15 per month is a drop in the ocean when it comes to the health of your pet.

Surely if the bird has been poisoned by chewing the cage it would have been ill for a time before falling off its perch.

Did Mr Collins not notice that the bird was off its food or drinking more than usual?

To a novice an animal chewing the bars of its cage seems like boredom. Our African Grey does run his beak along the bars of his cage occasionally but does not chew the bars.

We visit Paradise Pets every two to three weeks for food and other necessities for Merlin. The staff are always very helpful and will always have time to listen to us prattling on about Merlin's latest words and antics.

He was purchased as a birthday gift for my husband and has come to be practically his best friend.

These birds bring many many hours of fun and pleasure. We will continue to sing the praises of Paradise Pets and support them in any way we can.

Mr & Mrs Smith

Pinehurst Road

Swindon