Judi Dench Slams Petco Over Alleged Bird Abuse
The legendary actress, a known bird enthusiast, has written a scathing letter to the pet retail giant after a PETA investigation revealed alleged mistreatment of parakeets in its supply chain.
Dame Judi Dench has directly appealed to Petco to cease selling birds, citing an undercover investigation by PETA that purportedly uncovered severe animal abuse within the company's supply chain. The Oscar-winning actress, who is known for her affection for her own parrot, Sweetie, expressed her outrage in a letter addressed to Petco CEO Joel Anderson.
Dench's letter details disturbing findings from the PETA investigation, which allegedly took place at a parakeet breeding facility connected to Petco. According to the report, thousands of parakeets were kept in cramped and unsanitary conditions, preventing them from engaging in natural behaviors. The investigation also documented instances of severe injuries, including a bird that lost an eye and a chick with a shriveled, blackened wing.
PETA's findings also allege that sick and injured birds were not given veterinary care. Instead, the investigation claims that workers at the facility killed these birds by methods described as crushing their necks, slamming them to the ground, or ripping off their heads. Some birds reportedly suffered and died before being confirmed dead.
Dench, who is known for her role as M in the James Bond films, emphasized the intelligence and emotional capacity of birds, drawing parallels to domesticated animals like dogs and cats. "Anyone who has ever shared their home with a bird knows they are curious, emotional, intelligent individuals with their own personalities and preferences. They feel joy, fear, loneliness, and excitement just like dogs, cats, and humans," Dench wrote in her letter.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, in a May inspection report shared by PETA, noted "unsanitary conditions" at the same facility and issued a deadline for improvements. Petco, a publicly traded company listed on the Nasdaq as WOOF, reported net sales of $1.5 billion in the first quarter of 2026. The company has not yet commented on the allegations.
Dench's personal connection to birds, particularly her rescue African grey parrot, Sweetie, appears to fuel her advocacy. She has previously spoken about Sweetie's ability to mimic speech and her humorous, though sometimes colorful, vocabulary, which she attributes to hearing the radio rather than her influence.
Petco Park, home to the San Diego Padres, bears the company's naming rights. Despite the company's significant financial standing and executive leadership praised for their business acumen, Dench's impassioned plea aims to bring attention to the welfare of birds sold through the retail chain.