Avian Welfare Resource Center from the Avian Welfare Coalition

AWC Shelter Outreach Program

Assisting Shelters and Animal Control Organizations in Serving the Needs of Captive Exotic Birds

Blue-Crowned and Nanday Conures (Photo by Tina McCormick, MAARS)

Blue-Crowned and Nanday Conures
(Photo by Tina McCormick, MAARS)

The Avian Welfare Coalition 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 provide for the special housing, dietary, veterinary, behavioral, and placement needs of captive exotic birds.

Shelter Handbook on Exotic Bird Care

In coordination with the Animal Protection Institute (API) and the ASPCA, the AWC has produced Captive Exotic Bird Care: A Guide for Shelters. This handbook provides animal care workers and shelter staff with the tools to:

•	Develop guidelines that will provide a basis for the handling, assessment, and placement options for exotic birds
•	Perform a basic avian physical exam in order to identify signs of illness and disease in incoming birds
•	Provide comfortable housing and a safe environment for exotic birds in the shelter
•	Understand and accommodate the unique physical and behavioral needs of exotic birds

•	Establish quarantine and medical protocols and working relationships with avian veterinarians
•	Provide training and educational workshops for staff and volunteers on the basics of caring for exotic birds
•	Form working alliances with avian foster care, placement, and welfare organizations
•	Develop appropriate public education and outreach programs about the special needs of exotic birds, and more

These handbooks are $25.00 PER COPY. Click here to order yours now!

Blue & Gold Macaw (Photo by Tina McCormick, MAARS)

Blue & Gold Macaw
(Photo by Tina McCormick, MAARS)

AWC Exotic Bird Care Shelter Workshops & Educational Outreach

If providing for the special needs of exotic birds at your shelter has you ready to fly the coop, help is on the way!

AWC Exotic Bird Care Shelter Workshops can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your shelter. Together we will work to develop and implement workable, realistic guidelines and procedures to provide for the special housing, dietary, veterinary, behavioral, and placement needs of captive exotic birds in your shelter.

The Basics of Caring for Exotic Birds in the Shelter

The Basics of Caring for Exotic Birds in the Shelter is a hands-on workshop designed specifically for shelter personnel and volunteers on the basics of caring for exotic birds.

Topics to be covered:

•	Housing and dietary requirements
•	Environmental safety
•	Quarantine and medical protocols
•	Signs of illness and disease
•	Basic avian physical exam
•	Common traits
•	Special considerations and placement options, and more

Educational materials and sample Shelter Adoption Packets will be provided as part of the class.

Click here to contact us about scheduling a workshop for your shelter!

AWC Educational Outreach

AWC participants are also available for consultations and speaking engagements on a wide range of avian topics.

Click here to contact us about booking a speaker for your conference, workshop, class, or bird club!

Your Input Requested!

Share Your Experiences & Expertise

We welcome feedback and suggestions from shelters and animal control organizations on how to improve our program and for examples of successful strategies that may benefit others. Please forward details to: outreach@avianwelfare.org.

Shelter Survey on Exotic Birds

We are also compiling information regarding the current status of birds at shelters so that we may better focus our efforts in the future. Therefore, we ask that you take a few moments to complete our Shelter Survey on Exotic Birds. Click here to participate.

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