Webinars

Webinars for Bird Shelters and Care Facilities

The Avian Welfare Coalition teamed up with the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries to offer a series of webinars that provide training to animal care professionals on the specialized care of exotic birds. We examine key topics for providing appropriate short-term care and securing care for a lifetime.

Avian Advocacy Series

The two-part series focuses on avian outreach and campaigns including the role and responsibilities that captive exotic wildlife sanctuaries have in education, avian laws, and suggested approaches to expanding legal protection for captive birds. 

Delivering the Right Message: Avian Education and Outreach

Presenters:  Kellie Heckman, Executive Director, Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS); Jennifer Place, Program Associate, Born Free USA; J.B. Mulcahy, Co-Director, Chimpanzee Sanctuary NW.

Captive wildlife sanctuaries have a critical responsibility to deliver a clear and consistent message that ‘wild animals don’t belong in captivity.’ However, the approaches taken to educate and attract placement partners are often exploitive and even counterproductive.  Our experts share strategies on how organizations can achieve the right balance.

 



There Ought To Be a Law!

Presenters: Monica Engebretson, U.S. Campaign Manager, Cruelty Free International; Sue Leary, President, American Anti-Vivisection Society; Tara Zuardo, Wildlife Attorney, Animal Welfare Institute; DJ Schubert, Wildlife Biologist, Animal Welfare Institute

Ensuring that humane standards of care and treatment are afforded to captive birds also relies on our having protective enforceable laws in place. In this session, our team of experts provides a summary of current law and suggested approaches for improving captive bird welfare in the U.S., as well as a discussion of the Endangered Species Act and international laws that affect bird possession and commerce in the U.S. 



Avian Roundtable - Bird Placement

This 4-part roundtable series, presented in a Q&A format, is devoted entirely to the special placement needs of exotic birds, including the evaluation of individual birds, recruitment of adoption applicants, and identification of placement partners. Legal issues pertaining to adoption contracts and long-term and estate planning are also reviewed.

Attracting the Right Bird Placement Partners

Presenters: Galiena Cimperman, Executive Director, Midwest Avian Adoption & Rescue Services (MAARS) and Stephanie Shain, COO, Washington Humane Society 

The placement process for exotic birds comes with special challenges. Learn from our roundtable experts what it takes to build a network of like-minded, legitimate placement partners and where to find responsible, compassionate avian adopters.

 



You Found a Potential Adopter – Now What?

Presenters: Lorelei Tibbetts, LVT, VTS Clinical Practice Exotic Companion Animals and Janet Trumbule, Executive Director, The Oasis Sanctuary

What goes into preparing an adopter for life with an undomesticated, extremely social, flighted animal? Our roundtable experts answer questions on how to properly inform adopters about the true needs of birds - the good and the bad –that can aid in long-term adoption success.   

 



Estate Planning for Captive Birds

Presenter: Frances Carlisle, ESQ.

Adopting out animals with long lifespans comes with some important legal considerations for both the organization and the adoptive caregiver. Our roundtable expert answers questions about contingency plans and their place in guaranteeing lifetime care for any long-lived species.

 



The Basics of Bird Adoption Contracts

Presenter: Jane Hoffman, Esq. CEO, The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals

There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to foster and adoption contracts. Our roundtable expert provides practical guidelines to help organizations develop adoption contracts that navigate some challenging legal landscape.

 



Avian Roundtable - Shelter Solutions

This 2-part roundtable series, presented in a Q&A format, provides answers to common questions from animal shelters looking to start or expand an avian placement program and those already providing short-term care to birds.

Overcoming Obstacles: Starting an Exotic Bird Shelter Program

Presenter: Anthony Pilny, DVM, DABVP

Caring for exotic birds in a shelter environment is challenging. In fact, many shelters feel they cannot accommodate birds at all. Our roundtable expert answers questions about the issues standing in the way of shelters’ abilities to take in, expand, or improve capacity for exotic birds.

 

 



Practical Solutions to Bird Care Within the Shelter

Presenter: Lorelei Tibbetts, LVT, VTS

Birds are like no other animal in your shelter. Our roundtable expert answers questions about serving the special needs of exotic birds in a shelter setting including how to evaluate and deal with bird behavior and common avian conditions, recognize signs of illness, and respond to medical emergencies. 

 



Avian Wellness Training Series

This 3-part webinar series aims to provide animal caretakers with practical recommendations for meeting the housing, handling, feeding, medical and placement needs of exotic birds within the shelter environment.

Caring for Exotic Birds in the Shelter Environment – Part 1

Presenter: Anthony Pilny, DVM, DABVP

Part 1 of 2. This webinar is a must-watch overview for any shelter caring for birds. Dr. Anthony Pilny covers the basics for short-term care in a shelter environment, including intake protocols, signs of disease and illness, quarantine requirements and supportive care.

 



The Basics of Caring for Exotic Birds in the Shelter – Part 2

Presenter: Lorelei TIbbetts, LVT, VTS (Exotic Companion Animal) of The Center for Avian & Exotic Medicine, New York, NY

This webinar, presented by Lorelei Tibbetts, expands on Part 1 with a more in-depth discussion about nutrition, environmental safety, cleanliness and sanitation, animal handling and housing, managing stress and enrichment.

 



Perspectives on Captive Exotic Bird Placement

Presenters: Lorelei Tibbetts, LVT, VTS, of NYC's The Center for Avian & Exotic Medicine and Karen Windsor, Executive Director, Foster Parrots

Get two unique viewpoints from Lorelei Tibbetts and Karen Windsor on what it takes to find qualified homes for exotic birds. Gain insight into the considerations and approaches for making exotic bird placement successful.

 

Credits

Sponsored by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), an international sanctuary accreditation body that promotes and validates excellence in responsible and human care of animals in sanctuary management. Coordinator: Denise Kelly, President & Co-Founder, Avian Welfare Coalition Moderator: Kellie Heckman, Executive Director, Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries Information and Technology Manager: Robin Mason, Education Coordinator, Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries