Poland allowed birds and animals to be sent through the postal service?

It seems that living birds can or could be mail-ordered and sent via Poczta Polska, together with a piece of apple as a water substitute!

Rabbits too, apparently.

I find this incredible. Customers are certainly not allowed to send any living thing (except some insect categories) through the UK mail service, for fear of killing or injuring it. How does or how did PP manage to deliver these living creatures in good health with all the likely hazards en route - through cold depots, boxes at risk of falling on them, etc?

(UK Royal Mail - prohibited to send living creatures

Why do I ask? Because I was browsing a discussion site discussing pet birds and it talked about successfully sending birds by post to buyers. It seems that the law possibly changed in Poland, but up until 2013 it was legal although may not be any longer. I am very surprised that it was ever allowed in Poland.

I think it would be special sort of service; not the normal post. Something geared to birds etc.

I mean you wouldn't just stick one in a jiffy bag and put it through the automated sorting office...

Yes, beakcause it would be cruel.

You'd think the bubble wrap would keep it warm, but the one I sent was stone cold when it arrived. Mind you, putting it through the office franking machine was probably a mistake.

Quite, one should always ensure the bird's head is at the other end of the envelope, i.e. the top left above the recipient address and also quickly switch off the power (or quickly press the 'Bird Consignment' button on later models) before the whole packet goes between the rollers and into the mail out sack. The problem is, it's all to easy to fall fowl of the regulations if a sender just wings it.