I went to a horse auction a few years ago. I just wanted to look at them. It was suppose to be a good place to see and buy nice cheap horses....
Yeah well, I got there and there is a bunch of horses lined up in little pens. It was an auction for people to get good pet horses, it was an auction for their meat. (This was before they closed down the meat factory that was a few hours away)
I was so shocked. There was horses with big open bleeding cuts, horses with hooves so long they had paddle feet, hair missing, scars, lice, there were all skin and bones. All of them looked on the brink of death. I cried, and wanted to buy every single one of them. I couldn't take on any of them.
It hurt me so bad, to see stupid people caring for animals that way. If you get a pet it's your responsibility to care for it.
Needless to say. I purchased a bred filly for a ton of money that was heading to the factory a few months later. I am glad I rescued her. She is a great horse. Although she didn't look like much when I got her. One of the smartest creatures I have even seen.
I was lucky to get her. She was heading to that very auction I was talking about, but luckily it rained so much they couldn't get the trailer out of the yard. And I bought her the next day.
I know your upset about what you saw. But be glad that you were able to save the little birdies you got. You rescued lives, and got a great deal! Good job.