Disaster Relief Fund

During Hurricane Andrew, the American Federation of Aviculture established a Disaster Relief Fund to assist aviculturists who have been affected by natural events such as hurricanes, wild fires, earthquakes, etc.

When the aftermath of hurricane Andrew was being assessed, AFA volunteers were involved in helping aviculturists and their birds deal with short term relief of their situations.

When the wildfires hit California, assistance was made available from the Disaster Relief Fund and affected individuals were helped. Now, with hurricanes Charley and Frances gone, the Disaster Relief Fund is there to help our friends in Florida.

From the day after hurricane Charley passed, Fred Smith who is the AFA Regional Director for Florida, has been actively working to help those in need. He has been the focal point of offers of assistance, monetary and physical. Numerous people, organizations, and businesses have donated money, caging, food, and labor to get their fellow aviculturists on their feet again. If you would like to donate money to the Disaster Relief Fund, you may do so by sending your check to the American Federation of Aviculture office at:

American Federation of Aviculture
Post Office Box 7312
Kansas City, MO 64116

Or, if you would like to donate via credit card, you may contact the office at 816-421-2473. If you would like your donation to go directly to the Disaster Relief Fund, please note that in the memo line or let the office know of your intention. If you have physical items, such as bird food, cage wire, cages, dishes, etc. that you would like to donate, please contact Fred Smith directly at fredsmith@netzero.net or 863-858-6739. In addition, if you or someone you know are in need of assistance, please contact Fred at the above email or phone number immediately. He is coordinating all efforts and will respond as quickly as possible.

Although many of the emergency problems have been addressed in Florida, experts in emergency management have indicated that oftentimes there is more relief and help needed weeks after the initial event as opposed to the first few days afterward. People have managed through their immediate crises and are now trying to move forward with their lives. Many jobs have been lost, which means that bird food supplies are starting to dwindle. Birds that were loose have been caught, but are in carriers while their cages need repair. This is when the Disaster Relief Fund can help get people through their transition period until they are able to rebuild their lives. Again, please consider helping your fellow aviculturists recover from this natural disaster. Thank you to all the generous people who have already done so much to help.

Disaster Relief Fund Challenge

After the AFA issued the press release outlining the need for donations for the Disaster Relief Fund, many bird clubs provided much needed funds to help their fellow aviculturists.

The Triangle Bird Club of Beaumont, Texas, was one of the first to donate and even issued a challenge to other clubs to meet or exceed their donation. The AFA is thankful for all of the donations received from the avicultural community, both from individuals and clubs. The following individuals and clubs have donated to the AFA Disaster Relief Fund. Thank You!!!

The Triangle Bird Club, Beaumont, Texas
Rocky Mountain Avicultural Society, Denver, Colorado
Parrot Breeder Association of Virginia, Virginia
Orange County Bird Breeders, Orange County, California
Avicultural Society of Tucson, Tucson, Arizona
Coastal Bend Companion Bird Club and Rescue Mission, Rockport, Texas
Reno Area Avian Enthusiasts, Reno, Nevada
Pyrrhura Breeders Association
Northwest Exotic Bird Society
Pippin's Roost Exotics - Paula Strasser
Itinerant Peddler Aviary - Fred Wilson
Pat Chinnici
Janice Boyd
Chester County Bird Club
Bird Endowment
Capitol City Bird Club
Jacksonville Avicultural Society
South Bay Bird Society
Janis Clark
Sun Seed Company, Inc.
Anonymous AFA Board members