AFA Disaster Relief Fund Available for California Fire Victims

[Kevin]

AFA Disaster Relief Fund
Available for California Fire Victims


THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF AVICULTURE, INC. (AFA) IS WORKING TO PROVIDE RELIEF EFFORTS TO ALL BIRD OWNERS, BREEDERS AND AVICULTURISTS victimized by the recent blaze of fires destroying homes and aviaries in Southern California. AFA has activated the Disaster Relief Fund to purchase desperately needed supplies such as feed, cage wire, and other supplies needed for those who’ve been evacuated or displaced and require feed and shelter for their birds. Evacuees have managed to save some birds, but may have lost everything else.

AFA Florida Regional Director Fred Smith has been appointed to spearhead the AFA Disaster Relief Committee due to his experience in organizing hurricane relief efforts during past disasters. Any bird owner or aviculturist in need of help or assistance with housing or obtaining supplies for their birds qualify for relief and will not be turned away.

The AFA Disaster Relief Committee has been contacting aviculturists in the areas of the fires to learn what is needed and has already arranged for a nearby warehouse, contacting companies for donated cage wire and cage supplies and other items.

AFA Relief Director Smith is making plans to fly out to California to oversee the distribution of items. Other Disaster Relief Committee members include AFA members Christiana McKnight, Genny Wall, Margrethe Warden and Mary Ellen LePage.

The AFA was one of the first international avicultural organizations to provide assistance and relief during hurricanes Andrew, Rita and Katrina, including funding veterinary care.

Anyone wishing to assist by making online donations ( http://www.afabirds.org/donation.shtml )may do so directly to the AFA Disaster Relief Fund on the AFA website. Please type in DISASTER RELIEF in the special instruction box provided. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by the fullest extent of the law, with 100 percent of contributions going directly to relief efforts. Mail in donations can be sent to the AFA business office at: American Federation of Aviculture, Inc., P O Box 7312, N. Kansas City, MO 64116, Phone: 816-421-BIRD (2473), Fax: 816-421-3214. AFA will endeavor to keep everyone informed with updates to this web site.

The American Federation of Aviculture, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3), nonprofit educational organization incorporated in the state of California (business office located in N. Kansas City, MO), whose mission is to promote the advancement of aviculture worldwide. AFA supports educational programs that enable better husbandry, management and living conditions for exotic birds; promotes avian research and conservation of exotic birds; keep members aware of legislative issues that affect aviculture and keep legislators aware of the need for fair and equitable regulations. The goal of AFA is to insure long-term, self-sustaining populations of exotic birds both in captivity and in the wild. AFA publishes the world-class quarterly journal, the AFA Watchbird and holds an annual national convention each year.

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