PARROT ASSOCIATION OF CANADA

The Parrot Association of Canada is a group of dedicated aviculturists and professional breeders committed to the preservation of parrots and other avian species through domestic breeding programs. Originally established as a Canadian organization, it now boasts an international membership from Canada, the United States, Britain and Europe, Japan, New Zealand and Australia, and other countries around the world.

PAC is a national non-profit organization whose members include major breeders, top avian veterinarians, zoo curators, scientists, government officials, other leading aviculturists and enthusiasts and pet owners. PAC's main objective is to advance the preservation and welfare of all parrot species, in Canada and worldwide, through domestic breeding programs and education. A major goal is the elimination of the use of wild caught parrots for the pet trade where it still occurs..

As part of that commitment, PAC promotes and pursues professionalism in psitticine aviculture by improving husbandry and breeding standards. One of PAC's main priorities is the preservation of genetic diversity to maintain a healthy gene pool in existing parrot species. It strongly supports the maintenance of genetic integrity and is opposed to cross-breeding and hybridization for purely cosmetic or market purposes.

It is the committed belief of all of PAC's members that domestic breeding of endangered species is the only hope for survival of many of these increasingly rare creatures who will eventually disappear in the wild. Some of the species that our members breed and keep include some of the rarest like the Hyacinth Macaw, Palm Cockatoo, Jamaican Yellow Billed Amazon, Scarlet Macaw and Moluccan Cockatoo as well as the more commonly kept Amazon, African and Asian parrots.

PAC works closely with other conservation groups, like the World Parrot Trust and the Avicultural Advancement Council of Canada. Unlike WPT which funds projects for the recovery and preservation of endangered species in the wild, PAC is devoted to improving and increasing domestic breeding of all parrot species to remove pressure on the wild populations and to contribute to their ultimate preservation.

PAC's closest association is with the Canadian Parrot Symposium, where it was born and which hosts its annual meetings.

In addition to improving breeding procedures, PAC is working toward improving the keeping of parrots generally by educating the public and encouraging responsible pet ownership. Few people realize that there are thousands of parrot owners with hundreds of thousands of parrots in Canada, in every province and territory.

PAC strives to improve the knowledge and understanding of political representatives at all levels of government who are involved in writing and passing laws aimed (not always successfully) at
preservation of endangered species, particularly parrots.

Canadian Model Avicultural Program

One of PAC's exclusive projects is the Canadian Model Avicultural Program which it designed and implemented to establish and maintain the highest standards for breeding and keeping of avian species. MAP goals are to establish acceptable standards of aviary care for parrots, promote healthy domestic-bred birds and improve breeding procedures, nutrition and medical care.

Once a breeding facility has been certified, anyone dealing with that breeder can be assured that he or she is following breeding, nutritional, housing and maintenance guidelines that will ensure healthy and happy chicks and adult birds. Originally designed for parrot breeders only, MAP has now been expanded to include breeders of all avian species.

The MAP Board of Directors is made up of some of the most accomplished aviculturists in Canada including several avian vets and a genetic consultant, professional nutritionist, animal behaviourist, specialized breeders and the past Curator of Birds for the Metro Toronto Zoo.

Breeding Co-operatives

PAC is involved in setting up and funding breeding co-ops where breeders can match up unrelated bird into breeding pairs. Currently it is participating in the Citron Cockatoo breeding co-op project which involves 12 pairs of birds in the hope of adding to the domestic stock of this increasingly rare cockatoo. More co-operative projects are planned as funding becomes available.

C.I.T.E.S and Endangered Species

PAC represents the interests of parrot owners and breeders at the Canadian delegation to the Convention on International Trade In Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora. Every two years, a representative attends the pre-conference meetings held by Environment Canada in Ottawa to make submissions on the bird species that are to be listed as endangered, threatened or protected. C.I.T.E.S is an international organization of 150 member countries that regulates and prohibits trade in all endangered species of animals and plants.

Public Awareness and Education

PAC is working very hard to clear up the misconception that wild birds are being taken out of their natural habitat to be sold in Canadian pet stores. In fact, it is illegal to import wild caught birds for commercial purposes and has been for over a decade in Canada. All parrots now sold as pets here are bred in Canada by professional domestic breeders PAC is also trying to alert people that the real danger to the parrots of the world (and other species) is habitat destruction, compounded by illegal trade in Middle and Far East countries, not North America.

PAC Directors and members attend various trade fairs, pet shows, bird exhibitions and other public events in an effort to inform and educate bird owners and the general public about parrot breeding, care and conservation. Various members are available to give talks and demonstrations on breeding techniques, aviary management, avian health and nutrition, conservation, legislation and many other topics, to clubs, schools and other organizations.

Responsible Pet Ownership

Although primarily a breeders and professional avicultural organization, PAC also has a large group of pet owners who belong in order to learn how to improve their birds' lives and to contribute to aviculture generally. The increasing public interest in "exotic" pets brings a greater need for education of potential pet owners at all stages ~ when deciding whether to keep a parrot as a pet ~ how to provide your pet bird with the best possible life ~ housing, nutrition, medical care and psychological wellness.

Other Projects

PAC is committed to the development of an official leg band identification system that can be used to confirm and trace a specific bird's identity and family history. At present this is being done sporadically and inconsistently and PAC is in the process of developing a manufacturing and recording process for stainless steel leg bands for the larger species.

PAC is also consulting with the federal and some provincial governments, various zoos and veterinarians to determine and provide compliance with new legal banding requirements. It is also in the process of advising two foreign countries on proposed banding systems for their rare and endangered species.

PAC publishes a quarterly scientific Journal of articles by noted aviculturists which is available with your membership.

Legislation

PAC is actively involved in consulting with and advising local, provincial and the federal governments on pending legislation dealing with endangered species and particularly parrots. One of PAC's first projects was to consult with the Canadian Government on the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA), comprehensive federal legislation passed to control and prohibit trade in endangered species. It has been involved in legislative initiatives at the provincial level (Manitoba's Bill 5 - Wildlife Act), and at the municipal level (Toronto's Animal Control By-Law and Maple Ridge, B.C.'s Exotic Animal By-Law), and elsewhere.

One of PAC's goals is to inform elected representatives at all levels of government about the thousands of their constituents who keep and breed birds in order to protect their interests and right to continue to do so.

Some Questions and Misconceptions

• Are wild parrots being caught for the pet trade?

In North America and many other countries, the answer is a most definite "No." The United States has banned the importation of wild parrots (and other animals) for over 30 years; Canada for over a decade. Most countries now belong to C.I.T.E.S and are devoted to stopping trade in endangered species. Unfortunately there are still some countries that allow the trapping and export of wild birds and some that allow them to be imported (mostly in the Middle and Far East). We all have to work toward convincing these countries to stop destroying these precious creatures.

• Where do pet parrots come from in Canada?

The vast majority come from responsible and ethical domestic breeders in Canada and the U.S. Some are imported from Great Britain and Europe. It is important to know that endangered birds are not allowed to be imported into Canada for commercial purposes and that all responsible bird owners abhor the practice elsewhere.

• How can I help?

Join PAC and make a donation. Join other organizations that work for the preservation of endangered parrots, like the World Parrot Trust. If you are a bird owner, show and tell other people how special they are. If you are a breeder, join PAC and get certified under MAP.

• What do I get with my membership?

You will receive the Parrot Association of Canada Journal on a quarterly basis containing articles by some of Canada's (and other) top aviculturists. You will have access to some of the most knowledgeable bird experts around through our website, www.parrotscanada.com. You will have an opportunity to volunteer your time and talents and participate in our many projects - become a Director! Your interests will be represented at various levels of government ~ local, provincial and federal ~ at C.I.T.ES, and your right to keep birds will be vigorously defended.

As a breeder, you will have access to the Model Avicultural Program and the benefits that come from being a certified facility.

And you will have the pride of knowing that you are helping the parrots of the world in a small but important way.

All of these projects require time and money, and PAC needs your generous donation.
PAC is operated on a purely voluntary basis so all funding goes to where it should ~ the improvement of parrots lives. Some extremely talented and knowledgeable people contribute hundreds of hours of time a year to its activities, without any compensation except the knowledge that they are making an important contribution to the preservation of these wonderful creatures.

We would like to count on your tax deductible contribution. To receive an official receipt, please make all donations payable to: