1)  

AWC Participants must not engage in any activity that would conflict with AWC Principles & Goals.

2)  

AWC Participants must agree to collaborate with one another to support and promote responsible social and legislative changes to improve the quality of life for birds and other animals living in captivity.

3)  

AWC Participants must not endorse breeding for the pet trade, nor may they promote in their educational materials or on their web sites breeders or others entities that operate animal breeding operations purely for commercial purposes.

4)  

No individual AWC Participant may represent the AWC, nor may the AWC represent participating individuals or organizations, except through the use of letters approved by the AWC Board of Directors. AWC efforts — such as letters or petitions — may be initiated by any Participant, but any official action by the AWC must be approved by the AWC Board of Directors. By signing on as a Public Participant in the AWC, a Participant agrees to sign on automatically to letters approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. The only way for a Participant to not have his/her name appear in the signature of a Board-approved letter is to sign up as a Private Participant (whereas no contact information will be listed in any AWC printed or web site materials).

5)  

All AWC Participants should be actively engaged in working toward at least three AWC Goals during the course of their normal business and are encouraged to communicate with the group regarding their efforts and progress. Participants will be asked to leave the group if they have lost interest in the AWC, no longer support all AWC Principles & Goals, or have otherwise violated the AWC Code of Conduct.

6)  

AWC Participants are encouraged to present educational, outreach, and placement materials in a manner that respects and maintains the characteristics and dignity of each species.

7)  

AWC Participants must conduct all business and fundraising activities with integrity and professionalism.

8)  

AWC Participants must not engage in any illegal activities. The AWC does not encourage, promote, condone, or tolerate violence against humans, other animals, or property. Participants must not engage in any irresponsible actions that put the lives of any humans or other animals at risk or damage the property of others.

9)  

In spite of diverse views, AWC Participants must treat other AWC participating individuals and organizations with respect to promote the sharing of expertise and resources to benefit both captive and wild birds. AWC Participants must not disseminate gossip or rumors or make disparaging comments about the efforts of other AWC Participants. Should legitimate disputes or concerns arise within the group, AWC Participants are asked to bring these issues to a member of the AWC Board of Directors to help establish a fair, amicable resolution.

10)  

Any Participant who jeopardizes the credibility, cohesiveness, or effectiveness of the organization by engaging in conduct or activities that are unprofessional, intentionally antagonistic, without constructive purpose toward the mission or goals of AWC, that promote a personal agenda or disparage other individuals or organizations without due cause, may have their Participant status terminated by resolution of the AWC Board of Directors.

Violation of AWC Principles & Goals or Code of Conduct may result in termination of Participant status and privileges. On the first occasion that a policy is violated, an AWC Director will remind the involved individual privately and politely of the Coalition rules; written warning from the Board of Directors may follow the second infraction; upon subsequent policy violation(s), a motion will be put to the Board of Directors to terminate Participant status.

11)  

AWC Participants must demonstrate discretion when publicizing information about pending AWC activities or Participants. Some of our activities may require privacy during development to insure success, and some of our Participants may need to remain anonymous for professional reasons.

12) 

We have determined that the best means of communication is online through our private Yahoo! Group e-mail list called AvianWelfare. Once a Participant has been approved by the AWC Board of Directors, he/she will be invited to join AvianWelfare and our rescue/placement Yahoo! Group, AWC-Shelters. We ask all signed Participants with internet access to join AvianWelfare. If a Participant can't join the AvianWelfare e-mail list, we will do our best to include him/her through other means, although he/she may miss out on some AWC notices and activities. Participants are prohibited from cross-posting messages from the AvianWelfare or AWC-Shelters lists without the author's written permission to do so. Personal communications from other lists may not be posted to any AWC Yahoo! Group list unless the message carries the express written permission of the author to do so.

1)  

Birds in the care of an AWC participating rescue, adoption, or sanctuary facility (AWC RASF) must not be used for breeding purposes, nor adopted into breeding situations. Exceptions may be made for CITES Appendix I species in bona fide reintroduction programs.

2)  

Birds in the care of an AWC RASF must not be used for commercial activities, entertainment, or exhibition purposes, nor sold, traded, or used in any way for personal gain or profit.

3)  

AWC RASFs must respect the normal behavioral characteristics of each species, accommodate their special needs, and ensure the well-being of each animal and the community of birds in its care as a whole.

4)  

AWC RASFs must establish an emergency evacuation plan in the event of fire, flood, or other catastrophe.

5)  

AWC RASFs must have contingency plans in place in the event that they are no longer able to provide for the birds in their care.

6)  

AWC RASFs must maintain required licenses and permits and abide by local, state, and federal regulations.

7)  

AWC RASFs must be incorporated as non-profit organizations by the IRS and recognized as charitable institutions by their states (or hold the equivalent status in their country of residence). Organizations that can show they have filed for non-profit status may be accepted as provisional Participants in the AWC.

8)  

All AWC RASFs in the United States must be accredited by The Association of Sanctuaries (TAOS). Exceptions may be granted for nationally-recognized animal care facilities who have a close working relationship with an existing RASF and/or Member Societies of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). Such exceptions will be determined solely by a majority vote of the AWC BOD. The AWC supports the continued professional development of bird rescue, shelter, placement, and/or sanctuary organizations in accordance with the standards and ethics of nationally recognized animal care accrediting organizations.

The AWC supports the continued professional development of bird rescue, shelter, placement, and/or sanctuary organizations in accordance with the standards and ethics of nationally recognized animal care accrediting organizations, the American Sanctuary Association (ASA) and The Association of Sanctuaries (TAOS).

Sanctuary Accrediting Associations: Should You Consider Accreditation for Your Sanctuary?

by Vernon Weir, Director, American Sanctuary Association (ASA)

Nonprofit Organizational Development

by Craig Brestrup, Secretary, The Association of Sanctuaries (TAOS)

9)  

AWC RASFs must maintain an active, independent board of directors.

10)  

AWC RASFs must have an educational component and provide outreach services.

11) 

AWC RASFs must maintain an active working relationship with local shelter and rescue organizations and humane law enforcement officials.