Avian Welfare Resource Center from the Avian Welfare Coalition

AWC Services

Placement

The Avian Welfare Coalition (AWC) provides resources for the shelter, sanctuary, and placement of displaced captive birds. The AWC does not have birds for adoption, nor do we place birds, but we can provide assistance to individuals looking to place or adopt a parrot or other bird in need. Click here for a list of Captive Bird Rescue & Placement Organizations. Contact us for more information.

Education and Outreach

Attempts to commercialize exotic birds and other undomesticated animals as "pets" contributes greatly to the growing numbers of these animals being displaced. Captive and domestically-bred birds are still wild by nature. Unfortunately, they lack the necessary survival skills to be returned to their native habitats. Our obligation is to take care of those that are already in captivity. The pet bird industry often provides incomplete information and downplays the time and commitment required to meet the physical, social, and psychological needs of birds. The AWC's educational focus is to emphasize these complex needs to the public, animal welfare community, and avian caregivers so that by working together, we can improve the quality of life for captive birds. Our educational goals include:

•	Promoting ethical standards of care that encourage natural avian behaviors and meet species-specific needs.
•	Dispelling the myths and misconceptions that have contributed to the public's lack of understanding of these intelligent, complex creatures.
•	Reinforcing the importance of maintaining the native habitats of all vulnerable and endangered avian species and the need for credible conservation and reintroduction programs.

AWC Shelter Outreach

The Avian Welfare Coalition’s Shelter Outreach Program is specifically designed to provide assistance to animal control and shelter organizations in facilitating the rescue, placement and sanctuary of displaced captive exotic birds. This program is a collaborative effort taking into consideration the available space, facilities, and resources of various humane societies, animal control, and other organizations to care for exotic birds entering their shelters. The program also assists shelters in developing and implementing workable, realistic guidelines and procedures to providing for the special housing, dietary, veterinary, behavioral, and placement needs of captive exotic birds.

In coordination with the Animal Protection Institute (API) and the ASPCA, the AWC has produced, Captive Exotic Bird Care: A Guide for Shelters.

For complete details and to order the Shelter Outreach handbook, click here.

AWC Public Outreach

AWC Educational Materials

In addition to the articles and resources available at www.avianwelfare.org, the AWC offers downloadable brochures, posters, and other educational materials on a wide variety of avian welfare topics. Educational videos produced by AWC Participants are also available: Wild at Heart, produced by Monica Engebretson is a thought-provoking and candid look into the darker side of the exotic bird trade. Stalking the Wild Amazons features rare and fascinating footage of the daily lives of wild Amazon parrots in their native habitats. This film was produced by Michael Schlindlinger, a Ph.D candidate in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, and chronicles the three years he spent in the field studying the behavior and vocalizations of parrots in the wild. Click here to order Stalking the Wild Amazons. Click here to order Wild at Heart.

AWC Pet Store Watch

Our online pet store evaluation forms provide a means to monitor the care of birds at PETCO, PETsMART, and other pet stores. They also provide data for discussions between AWC and other animal advocacy organizations and the pet industry executives. In extreme cases, information reported in these evaluations may be forwarded to local humane organizations for follow-up and appropriate action.

National Bird Day – January 5

In coordination with the Animal Protection Institute (API), the AWC has established National Bird Day (January 5), as a day of action on behalf of all birds. This grassroots educational campaign was created to generate public awareness of captive bird issues and to celebrate the true nature of all birds. For more information on how you can participate in National Bird Day activities and/or to obtain educational materials, please visit the National Bird Day web site.

Support

We support the efforts of AWC Participants by creating a unified voice on important issues affecting the welfare of birds. We also offer assistance to animal protection, advocacy, and control agencies in developing avian education and adoption programs and bringing about legislative and social change for captive birds. AWC information is disseminated through the media, educational literature, forums, Avian Welfare Round Table meetings, and our public web site, the Avian Welfare Resource Center. In addition, AWC Participants engage in collaborative efforts to address specific issues in targeted campaigns.

Grassroots Action

The AWC generates letter-writing campaigns, action alerts, and media exposure to address responsible and irresponsible portrayals of birds in the media, the trade in wild-caught birds, and abuse and neglect cases, as well as to support responsible legislation for the protection of birds in captivity and in their natural habitats.

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