Three dozen parakeets seized from a Rhode Island pet shop owner who failed to properly tag them will be kept in bird seed a long time, officials say.

The state Department of Environmental Management alleges the Providence store Creatures, Creatures, Creatures had violated a law requiring that birds be fitted with a leg band identifying their breeder in case they come down with a contagious disease, the Providence Journal reported Tuesday.

The department impounded the parakeets Oct. 22 and sent them to the town's animal shelter while it investigated the shop and its owner, James Regan, the newspaper said.

Animal Control Officer Scott Goodwin said coming up with the $2.60 a day in food the birds were consuming had been a concern for the cash-strapped town, but after a public call for help, there were sufficient donations.

"We've got enough for a year," Goodwin said.

Regan said the parakeets had pecked off the bands on their legs. He also said he bought some of the birds from breeders and had bred some himself.

Regan will get a hearing in about two weeks. The parakeets will most likely remain at the shelter, and then be returned to Regan or otherwise disbursed, depending on the proceeding's outcome, said State Veterinarian Scott Marshall.