Spotlight on Animal Environments
By Anne Watkins
Animal Environments is an award-winning company dedicated to providing the highest quality homes for all sizes and species of pet birds. Located in beautiful Carlsbad, California, Animal Environments is family owned and operated, and everyone associated with the company is an expert on exotic birds.
Drawing upon his experience in the field of biomedicine, company president Ray Daily designs and oversees the production of each enclosure to maximize safety, sanitation and comfort--for both the birds and their human caregivers. And with over 20 years of experience in breeding and raising exotic birds, Ray is especially qualified when it comes to meeting the specialized needs of companion birds.
Carmen Daily, Ray's wife and the vice president of Animal Environments, explained that all cages are constructed with the needs of birds and their human companions in mind. "There are no sharp edges that can cut the birds, or their owners," she told me during a telephone interview. "And all our cages are designed with different bar spacings that depend on what type of bird is going in the cage."
The emotional needs and exercise requirements of the various species of pet birds also are taken into consideration when designing cages. Making sure that people have easy access to their birds is vital, too. "Interaction between the bird and the bird owner is very important," said Carmen. An interesting feature designed to make this more convenient is the available playpen top. Carmen explained the thoughts behind this design feature: "Open play areas on the cage tops allow birds and their owners to more easily interact."
Special Items
Cages aren't the only things manufactured by Animal Environments. They offer toys, play areas, ring stands, bird baths, ladders and more. Each accessory is designed with bird-safe fasteners and materials, and is intended to provide hours of safe, stimulating fun.
Important Facts about Animal Environments:
- Only medical-grade 304 stainless steel is used.
- Some styles are available in distinctive designer colors, and only lead-free powder coat finishes are used on these cages.
- All Animal Environments cages are equipped with specially designed Bird-Proof door latches. They open easily with one finger and lock automatically when you close the door.
- Interesting, fun toys, designed with the safety of the birds in mind, are constructed with no chains or clip-type fastening devices. Quick-link fasteners, proven safe for use with birds, are the only fasteners used.
- All enclosures come equipped with rings intended to be used for swings or other toys.
- All stainless steel cages come with a lifetime warranty on welds and workmanship, and are also guaranteed against rust.
- Animal Environments uses Lexan connector pins in cage assembly, thereby eliminating the need for standard nuts and bolts, which can be dangerous to birds who like to disassemble their enclosures.
- A convenient one-piece apron extending around the bottom of each cage contains mess and greatly aids in keeping the bird area clean and tidy.
- The bottom trays are constructed of corrosion-proof ABS plastic and are easy to remove and clean.
Awards
A quote from their web site states that "Animal Environments is committed to one fundamental concept: create the highest quality environments to enhance the special relationships between exotic birds and their owners."
With that sort of dedication, it is no wonder that the company has won award after award. In 1988, Animal Environments was honored with the National Retailer Award First Place for Best Bird Product - Pet Industry, as well as the American Pet Products Manufacturer Association First Prize for the New Product Award. The company also received the Gold Medal Award Winner - 2000 from Pet Age Retailers honor, and in 2001, the Best New Bird Product Award, APPMA. The continued recognition of excellence from the pet industry speaks well of Animal Environments and their dedication to the happiness and safety of companion birds.
Spend some time surfing around their web site and it becomes apparent that Animal Environments puts great emphasis on the safety and well-being of companion birds. You will also see how important family is to the Dailys. Photos of the Daily children as well as pictures from the wedding of Ray and Carmen are sprinkled throughout the site. One gets the distinct feeling that this is a company focused on providing the best for birds and their human companions. It is indeed an award winning company!
Contact Information for Animal Environments:
Mailing Address:
1954 Kellogg Ave., Suite B Carlsbad, CA 92008
Telephone: 1-888-553-BIRD (2473) or (760) 438-4442
Fax: (760) 438-6636
Web site: Animal Environments
E-mail: birdcage@animalenvironments.com
