Avian Welfare Resource Center from the The Avian Welfare Coalition (AWC) is a grassroots network of representatives from avian welfare, animal protection, and humane organizations dedicated to the ethical treatment and protection of birds living in captivity and in their natural habitats. The mission of the AWC is to prevent the abuse, exploitation, and suffering of captive birds, and to address the crucial issues of rescue, placement, and sanctuary for displaced birds. The AWC also supports efforts to insure the survival of wild birds and the conservation of their natural habitats.
 

Google

Search AWC

Search WWW

National Bird Day - January 5

AWC Store

Don't Buy...Adopt!

Pet Store Watch

 

Start a Bird Rescue, Placement, or Sanctuary Organization

Thank you for looking into starting your own parrot rescue, sanctuary, and/or placement organization! The Avian Welfare Coalition does not yet have a formal mentorship program, but we can point you in the direction of some excellent resources to get started.

Starting and successfully running an animal shelter is a big project — especially when the animals you are caring for and placing are as long-lived and demanding as parrots! Before you think about starting your own organization, you might want to consider volunteering at an existing avian rescue facility, which you can find via these web sites:

Avian Welfare Coalition (AWC): Captive Bird Rescue & Placement Organizations

Petfinder.com

Pets911: Pet Adoption

Adopt an Animal - Canada

You could also volunteer as the bird care and behavior resource for your local shelter or humane society instead of building your own independent group from scratch. You can find your local shelter via these web sites:

Petfinder.com

Pets911: Pet Adoption

Adopt an Animal - Canada

These articles describe the incredible commitment it requires to do animal rescue and sanctuary work and how important it is to not overwhelm yourself to the point of being ineffective:

Want to Start an Animal Shelter?
By Mary Kirby and Lisa Saavedra, Director, ASPCA National Shelter Outreach

So you want to establish an animal sanctuary?
By Rita Sharma, Best Friends Animal Society Network Volunteer 

Helpful Resources

These organizations and web sites also offer mentorship resources and/or workshops:

ASPCApro
Connecting professionals with animal welfare tools and resources.

Best Friends Animal Society

If you do decide to pursue starting an avian rescue organization, Best Friends Animal Society has some terrific downloadable booklets on subjects ranging from how to start a non-profit organization to fundraising to volunteer recruitment:

For Animal Welfare Organizations

For Individuals


Animal Sheltering Magazine 
Resources for Animal Care
Professionals and Volunteers

  

Starting a Grassroots Program: A Best Friends Animal Society Forum

How to Start an Animal Sanctuary Workshop

Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS)

Humane Career Toolbox: Further Your Career with Animals

Animal Sheltering Magazine & Library

Ready for the next step? Enroll in Humane Society University!
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) offers a wide variety of training workshops, online courses, and other resources for animal care professionals and other animal advocates through Humane University.  To enroll, click here.


The Global Federation
of Sanctuaries

  

The Global Federation of Sanctuaries

The Global Federation of Sanctuaries
Standards of Excellence

The Global Federation of Sanctuaries
Starting a Sanctuary

Join animal professionals on Facebook! 

ASPCApro

Global Federation of Sanctuaries

Animal Sheltering Magazine

Other helpful resources:

Starting a Non-Profit Organization
By About.Com

Establishing A Non-Profit Organization: Frequently Asked Questions
By the Foundation Center

Association of Shelter Veterinarians
Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters


All material Copyright © 2002–2011 Avian Welfare Coalition, unless otherwise noted. Contact us to request reprint permission.

 Return to Top