Press Release

 

ASPCA Supports Avian Welfare Coalition’s Efforts to “Think Outside the Cage” for National Bird Day

 

January 5, 2009

ASPCA Media Contact

NEW YORK, January 2, 2009—In celebration of National Bird Day on January 5, 2009, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is supporting the Avian Welfare Coalition’s (AWC) efforts to help make birds count at shelters nationwide and raising awareness of the plight of captive exotic birds.

“The ASPCA and AWC are expanding the resources available to animal shelter organizations so they can better provide for the specialized care and permanent placement needs of exotic birds,” said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. “Even when bred in captivity, birds are not considered domesticated animals, and their wild nature presents special challenges for traditional shelters that are already filled with homeless cats and dogs.”

Added AWC President Denise Kelly, “We’re pleased that the ASPCA is supporting us on this important initiative. We want to help shelters gain the basic knowledge to care for exotic birds within a shelter setting.”

Specifically, the ASPCA is offering to shelters a guide called Captive Exotic Bird Care: A Guide for Shelters a joint project of the ASPCA, AWC and the Born Free USA United with Animal Protection Institute at a 20 percent discount when ordered from the ASPCA Online Store through February 15, 2009. The AWC also offers a hands-on training workshop for shelter staff and volunteers on the care of exotic birds upon request.

Consumers interested in raising awareness for National Bird Day may purchase T-shirts that read “Think Outside the Cage” from Born Free USA. National Bird Day’s “Think Outside the Cage” message is also available on five posters that can be purchased for display at local animal shelters, libraries or schools.

According to the AWC, parrots and other exotic birds are the fourth largest population of animals kept as companions, and they represent the largest population of captive wildlife in the U.S. Many of the over 100 self-described bird rescue or sanctuary organizations in the U.S. are already filled to capacity, often leaving local animal shelters as the only option available to receive unwanted, abused, or abandoned birds.

For complete details on purchasing T-shirts or posters for National Bird Day, please visit http://www.nationalbirdday.org/. More information on National Bird Day can also be found at www.aspca.org and http://www.avianwelfare.org/shelter_outreach.htm.

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Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first humane organization established in the Americas and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animal welfare. One million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. The ASPCA, which is headquartered in New York City, offers a wide range of programs, including a mobile clinic outreach initiative, its own humane law enforcement team, and a groundbreaking veterinary forensics team and mobile animal CSI unit. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org.

 

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