AWC Participants

Formed in 2000, the Avian Welfare Coalition (AWC) is a working alliance of veterinarians, conservationists, avian welfare and animal protection organizations dedicated to the ethical treatment of parrots and other captive birds.

The Mission of the AWC is to raise awareness about the plight of parrots and other captive birds and to serve as an educational resource for the humane community, lawmakers, and the general public.

The AWC also aims to prevent the abuse, exploitation, and suffering of captive birds, to address issues of rescue, placement and sanctuary for displaced birds, to increase legal protections for captive birds and to support legitimate conservation programs aimed at preserving birds’ rightful place in the wild. 

The individuals and organizations listed below are currently participating in the AWC and have dedicated themselves to supporting the AWC Mission and AWC Principles & Goals. They have agreed to operate under the rules of the AWC Code of Conduct.

You can learn more about the AWC in the About Us section of our web site.

Current Signed AWC Participants

Click on the names below to read a brief biography of each Participant and his/her organization.

Gay Bradshaw, Ph.D – The Kerulos Center

Dr. Craig Brestrup - The Association of Sanctuaries (TAOS) [TX]

Suzanne Cordrey - Best Friends Animal Society [UT]

Lynn Cuny- Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, Inc. [TX]

Wojciech Dabrowka - Bird Explorers

Dr. Kim Danoff - Veterinary Holistic and Rehabilitation Center [VA]

Monica Engebretson - Born Free USA united with Animal Protection Institute

Greg Glendell - BirdsFirst [UK]

Angela Grimes - Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation

Marc Johnson - Foster Parrots [MA]

Denise Kelly - The Avian Welfare Coalition [NY]

Jennifer Lenz - Parrots R4Ever Avian Rescue and Sanctuary

Eileen McCarthy - Midwest Adoption & Rescue Services (MN)

Peggy Kenworthy - Project Perry/Central Virginia Parrot Sanctuary

Rose Levine - Parrots First [CA]

Dr. Lorin Lindner - [CA]

Matt Smith - Project Perry/Central Virginia Parrot Sanctuary

Becky Sumber - Avian Protection Society [NY]

Mary Margison - Filmmaker and Independent Activist [RI]

Krista Menzel - Midwest Avian Adoption & Rescue Services (MAARS) [MN]

Dr. Stewart Metz - Project Bird Watch/The Indonesian Parrot Project [WA]

Serda Ozbenian – The Animal Welfare Institute

Michael Schindlinger - Harvard University/The Oratrix Project [MA]

Steve Scheurich - Operations Manager for Parrot Garden and the Bunny House

Dave Spurlin – Parrots-R-4Ever Avian Rescue and Sanctuary

Sharon St. Joan - Best Friends Animal Society [UT]

Rick Van Tuyl – Best Friends Animal Society (UT)

Bonnie Zimmerman – The Wild Connection [CA]

Elizabeth Hess - Elizabeth Hess – Art for Animals (NY)

Karen Windsor – Foster Parrots, Ltd.

Philip Wilson - World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)

Kevin Vang - South & Southeast Asia Regional Office for World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)

Note: Photos of Participants with birds on these biography pages are not intended to advocate keeping parrots or other birds in captivity as pets or companions. Many birds pictured with our Participants have been rescued or surrendered to a bird shelter and are in need of new homes.

All material Copyright © 2002–2010 Avian Welfare Coalition, unless otherwise noted. Contact us to request reprint permission.