AN INTRODUCTION
The A.A.C.C. is a national Canadian organization consisting
of avicultural societies, individual aviculturists and pet bird owners.
The A.A.C.C. came into being in the early seventies to fulfill the need
for a truly national aviculture organization to establish a uniform set
of standards for the exhibition of cage birds in Canada. Over the years
its objects have expanded to include setting ethical standards for the
management, exhibition, captive breeding and conservation of all
non-agriculture bird species kept in captivity in Canada. Recently we
have been pleased to offer our services to many aviculturalists in
Canada who have seen pending local and provincial legislation threaten
their hobby and their birds. The A.A.C.C. continues to offer many
services to its members and affiliates
The National Show
The A.A.C.C. chooses the host club for the National
Cage Bird Show every year and partially sponsors the show. This show is
held annually in Toronto and is the largest of its kind in Canada.
The 'National' also involves ordering of rosettes, show cage tags, and
medallion awards for the host society. The A.A.C.C. exchanges rosettes
with clubs in other countries at times and these rosettes are also
donated to the National Show. We ensure that membership information,
journals, press information, etc. is available at the show for
distribution to the public.
National Judges' Panel
The A.A.C.C. also maintains a Judges' Panel Listing for
accredited Canadian judges for all birds from canaries to parrots. The
Judges' Panel needs constant updating with testing and reviews for the
judges to maintain a proper national quality panel. Lists of judges are
made available to any club or individual who requests them and are
published in our magazine.
The Show Manual
The Cage Bird Show Manual, published by the
A.A.C.C. several years ago, contains standards for birds and cages and
outlines methods for showing birds, judging birds and staging shows. In
this book the A.A.C.C. maintains the Canadian standards for breeding and
showing birds in this country. The manual has been updated regularly to
keep the standards current and is available for $--. A completely
revised new edition version is now in the works in a new format.
The new version will also include a standard classification system
for entering birds in shows and more up to date information on several
of the fast changing areas of Canadian aviculture.
Leg Bands
Supplying rings (or leg bands) was the first service
the A.A.C.C. offered to our affiliates and the A.A.C.C. has continued to
provide excellent and reliable service with top quality rings. We
distribute a complete ring size chart which lists most birds kept and
bred in captivity in Canada from the smallest finches to the largest
parrots. Our most popular bands are the standard closed variety but
steel bands are also available for large parrots as well as colored plastic split bands which some breeders use to keep track of
smaller birds like canaries and finches. We have registered more than 250
personal codes each year for those breeders that desire this service and
all told the A.A.C.C. sells more than 60,000 bands per breeding season
with sales increasing each year. We also maintain a registry of ring
bands for identification purposes. Further information on rings can be
obtained by visiting our Ring Information Page. To locate the correct
size band for your bird visit our Ring Size Chart.
The Journal
Our most ambitious regular project is The
Avicultural Journal, the magazine of the A.A.C.C., issued quarterly
and mailed to members in Canada and around the world. Each
issue contains articles on breeding including new techniques from
Canada's best breeders plus avian medicine and husbandry, showing birds
and general news including a list of shows around the country. Original
articles are always invited and advertising is solicited with very
attractive rates. Members are entitled to free classified ads. The
'Journal' is the most widely distributed of any Canadian avicultural
publication. If you would like a sample copy with a membership form
(membership rates are $35 in Canada, $US35 in the U.S.A. and $CD45 or US$40
elsewhere in the world, per year) please e-mail the editor.
The A.P.F.
The A.A.C.C. recently created an independent registered
Canadian charity known as The Avian Preservation Foundation ("APF"). We
need everyone's assistance to make our goals come true so please be
generous with your tax deductible donations!
Legislative and CITES Work
Aviculturists in other parts of the world are
frequently forced to deal with senseless and misdirected laws
prohibiting the keeping of birds in captivity. The A.A.C.C. is committed
to fight against such legislation whether it is federal, provincial or
municipal and is in constant contact with Canadian Government
authorities. Most recently, the A.A.C.C. was fortunate to offer
considerable assistance to those people living in the Toronto area where
an ill advised exotic animal by-law nearly prohibited the keeping of
many types of companion animals including birds! A few months later
Kitchener was scene of another exotic animal by-law. Again, in Manitoba
in July 2000, our President, Mr. Dunstan Browne, made a presentation to
the select committee regarding another misguided provincial law and just
recently we scored another success in Maple Ridge, BC!
The A.A.C.C. and the A.P.F. hold the status of non
voting organizations with the United Nations C.I.T.E.S. (Convention of
International Trade in Endangered Species of flora and fauna)
Secretariat. It is at this convention, held every second year in a
different part of the world, where the Canadian delegate votes on
international legislation which can affect the import and export of
birds and how endangered species are treated in their native habitat.
Our representative attends this convention in the role of advisor to the
Canadian Government delegation on avian matters.
Standards of Practice
The AACC has developed a Stadards of Practice booklet to provide guidance to avicultursts on the management of birds in captivity. towards a goal of ensuring their welfare. One can find the full policy on Standards of Care on our webpage.
...and finally
The AACC, among other functions also corresponds with other National
and International Avicultural Organizations.
It is hoped that these few lines will explain the
functions of the A.A.C.C. and how a few dedicated people are assisting
Canadian aviculture. Currently the A.A.C.C. has more than twenty
affiliated clubs and hundreds of individual members in Canada and around
the world. HOWEVER, WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! Join the A.A.C.C. now and also
make a contribution to the Avian Preservation Foundation. If you have
concerns about aviculture in Canada or you would like further
information on the A.A.C.C. you may send e-mail to our President, Mr.
Jeremy Faria at jeremy.aacc@gmail.com
or write to:
The Avicultural Advancement Council of Canada
c/o 77 Long Island Crescent, Markham, Ontario L3P 7M1
Ring correspondence should be addressed to Gary D'Ornellas at bandsaacc@gmail.com
Join us
today!
With your help the A.A.C.C. will become an even stronger voice for
all Canadian aviculturists!
