Disaster Relief Update

This update is from Fred Smith, the AFA Regional Director for Florida and Puerto Rico (who is in charge of the AFA Disaster Relief Program) regarding the AFA Disaster Relief Team's activities:

Our first and foremost purpose since the fires began has been to locate aviculturists in the Southern California area who may need help because of the fires and to provide disaster relief to aviculturists and to their birds.

Shortly after the extent of the fires became known, AFA President Jim Hawley appointed Fred Smith to head the AFA Disaster Relief Team.

Fred selected several AFA members to help him with the relief effort.

The Regional Director for Southern California, Genny Wall, is in the fire-damaged area and has been contacting present and past AFA members in her region to see who needs assistance. The good news is many of those Genny has been able to reach are ok, and so are their birds.

Many of those who had to evacuate are now back home.

There may be people who will need ongoing help with their birds while they rebuild and get re-established, and we will try to help them find resources.

If anyone in the fire area needs to contact AFA for assistance, they can call Fred Smith at 863-858-6739 or email him at fredsmith@netzero.net, or they can call Genny at (949) 463-3865 or email her at gennygem2@aol.com.

Christiana McKnight is there "on the ground" and helped with evacuations. She gives Fred updates and has been a great help.

Margrethe Warden has been contacting softbill and Lory breeders and pet owners to see if any of them need any assistance.

Mary Ellen LePage has worked on a Tri-Fold explaining that the Disaster Relief Program is working and if anyone wants to help with a donation how they can do it.

It has information about the AFA website and how to contact the AFA office.

Fred had made up flyers when he worked on the Florida Hurricanes and gave them out and posted them on bulletin boards in supermarkets etc. so those in need would see it.

Fred has been in contact with the Red Cross concerning any needs with bird owners and they agreed to contact Fred with any leads.

We were able to secure permission from Cuttlebone Plus for some warehouse space to house any/all donated items for those who may need materials.

Fred contacted the West Coast Wire and Steel Co. in Riverside, CA. as a place where we can purchase cage wire, hog rings etc. for those who may need it.

WCW&S has agreed to deliver any orders to Cuttlebone Plus warehouse.

Fred contacted ASA to offer our help if needed. ASA is contacting all their members as well and will let Fred know if we can help them.

Fred has compiled a list of those offering cage space to house birds temporarily if needed.

Fred has followed up on numerous persons in the fire area to see how they are doing and if anything is needed.

Fred has worked with some who have had questions concerning how to donate to disaster relief on the AFA website.

Fred had an AFA booth at the Orlando Show (which is the largest in the state ) answering questions concerning the Disaster Relief Program and what the Team has been doing.

Fred is working on a plan to present to the AFA Board at Houston this weekend concerning present and future ways in which those in disaster areas can contact us.

This will include a way that they can let everyone know that they are safe.

This is a proactive protocol for everyone before the need arises.

During a disaster many donors want their monies to go to that project, and that can be done on the AFA website (www.afabirds.org).

Since we have been busy "on the ground" this past week, and have not been able to put much on our website about the details of the AFA disaster relief effort.

Fred will try to get updated information posted on the AFA website as soon as he can.

AVY Award Categories & Rules

The AFA is reinstating a proud tradition long regarded as the most celebrated and esteemed awards presented in American aviculture, the prestigious AFA AVY Awards. The categories are open to members and in some instances, other aviculturists or institutions, who have uniquely distinguished themselves in challenging and difficult areas of aviculture.

Nominations for each award category must be submitted by December 31 of each year to the committee chair, Linda Rubin at LSR@CockatielsPlusParrots.com. Nominees will be published in a future issue of the AFA Watchbird. Award categories include: First US Breeding Awards, Two categories of Zoo Awards, the Gold AVY Honor Award, four categories of Silver AVY Awards, and the Bronze AVY Appreciation Awards. Deadline is December 31, 2007. More information available at www.afabirds.org

Fundamentals of Aviculture Online Course

This online course provides a foundation for the emerging science of aviculture. It is presented in nine chapters including anatomy and physiology, avian behavior; laws and regulations affecting aviculture, proper housing, avian health care and more. Upon successful completion, you will be recognized on the AFA website and will receive a personalized certificate acknowledging your rank as AFA Certified Aviculturist, Level 1.

Click here to go to the AFA Campus and enroll in this course. http://www.fundamentalsofaviculture.com/FOAcourse/

Presidential Announcement

To AFA members and friends (past, present and future), It is standard operating procedure with the installation of a new President, all committee chairs resign and new ones are appointed. The new American Federation of Aviculture (AFA) Legislative Vice President is Genny Wall.

As stated in the AFA Bylaws, "the purpose of AFA shall be to promote the advancement of Aviculture through educational programs that support improved husbandry practices, conservation, research and legislative awareness."

Further, under the Bylaws, "The Legislative Vice-President shall monitor governmental activity which impacts on aviculture. The Legislative Vice-President shall consult with Officers and members of the House of Delegates in order to assist them in educating the general public and governmental officials and in disseminating information on issues relative to avicultural concerns relating to governmental activity. "

It is the job of the AFA Legislative VP to keep the AFA board and delegates informed about legislation and issues that may affect aviculture and to help AFA educate the public on these issues. Genny plans to be very involved in that work. Those of you who know her know that she has been doing this work outside of AFA for the last several years, so this is a natural extension of that work.

As part of this work, AFA will be in close contact with the legislative officers of other avicultural and animal organizations, as well as other interested individuals, and AFA expects to work pro actively as a member of a strong team of mutually interested organizations and individuals.

AFA asks for input from all persons interested in aviculture on any legislative issues that may affect aviculture. If you see or hear about something that we should know about, or if you have any legislative questions or issues you need addressed, please email Genny at gennygem2@aol.com. AFA would like to hear from anyone interested in the legislative issues that may impact aviculture.

Jim Hawley, AFA President