We have received an OVERWHELMING response to our invitation.  We only thought a few dozen would step up to the plate, but we are very pleased at the number of individuals and organizations that have joined us.  Please be patient as we resolve the issues that sheer numbers of people bring to light.
 
 

Some of rescuer's feel that they "Can't work with BREEDERS" as some breeders feel that they "Can't work with RESCUERS".  Why?  The answer is always the same – YOU group us (insert breeders or rescuers) all into one
camp.  We may forget that many of the "rescuers" who are members started as BREEDERS.

Although policy will be not to assist in PLACEMENT of rescue animals in a breeding home or facility - those who are
engaged in that practice may want to assist in transport or in other ways.  Exposure to the numbers of birds that are in need
of rescue changed many who were once breeders.  This exposure may not "convert" everyone - but at least they will see first hand the numbers of animals in these situations and that rescuers are NOT inventing these situations.  Perhaps a breeder can assist in hand-feeding babies when there is no one in the area with that experience.  Un-weaned babies do show up in rescue.  State agencies shut them down and confiscate their birds - no matter what the age.

Since Fall 2002 - I have (personally) known of approximately 2000 birds that have been in *time sensititve* rescue situations.  There were probably more as I don't pretend to know everything or hear everything.  Did all these birds find homes?  No. Many were euthanized.  This isn't the first time this has happened - nor the first time that the numbers were so high.  We are only at a position now where there may be enough people out there willing to NETWORK to help save these birds.  That's what ARN is for - to generate a network of those who can help prevent the needless death of animals who's only crime is that they do not have a home.

Members are from all parts of the country, every possible level politically, socially, and economically with different educational  levels and varying amounts of computer literacy. The members range from 0 years of experience with birds to 10 or
more.  Some may be rescue organizations, individuals, and even stores or breeders.  REMEMBER the bottom line is to BRING together those who are interested in "Saving Lives, One Bird At A Time".  That's why we are all here.  If your email
is NOT focused on that - it probably shouldn’t go out to the list.
 
 

WORKGROUP:
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The WORKGROUP email list is for those who want to *work* on administrative projects.  This list is not for open for discussion, birds needing homes, etc.  It is for working on laying out policies, procedures, data management, etc. for the ARN.

As a member of the group you will be part of doing the *dirty work* of putting together ideas, plans and policies for the ARN.  The WORKGROUP does not have the final say.  They put together the preliminaries:  a workable plan, draft or outline and then once it is accepted it will then be offered to the SUPPORT group for their input.  The Support group members will then
add their comments, ideas or accept the submission as is.  EVERYONE has a vote - but we broke the two groups up to make it more manageable and to cut down on subscribers receiving emails that they are not interested in.

SUPPORT:
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The Support email list is for those who are not interested in the administrative portion of the ARN but are more hands on with the day to day care and saving of these birds.  They want to WORK on transport, housing, etc.  Again, the focus of the SUPPORT group is to "Save Lives, One Bird At A Time" which are all of the ARN members goals.
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We are finding that members may have *joined* for reasons that are not in line with the Avian Rescue Network's purposes
or goals.  Please read the following letter and rethink *why* you have joined this network.  Additionally please ensure you
are on the RIGHT mailing list.

The idea behind the Avian Rescue Network (ARN) was to bring together, on a neutral platform, those who were interested
in "Saving Lives, One Bird At A Time".   There were too many existing small platforms and organizations that were not connecting due to personal differences, political agendas, etc.  Birds were dying.  Resources were not available to help them.
It was time for a change in those attitudes and a need for a network resource.

The original concept was designed not to be an exclusive network, but rather an inclusive network resource and open to ANYONE who wanted to participate.   It is clearly a GRASSROOTS RESCUE network.  There should be no question
about that.  Those who participate are interested in RESCUE.  NO personal agendas, political views, etc.  ARN was not created to force anyone to conform to their views or members views.  As I quote from the Introduction Letter:

"We ask that all Egos and political agendas be left at the keyboard. ARN is not established to set unreasonable and
unrealistic standards. We are ONLY here to expedite the saving of as many birds' lives as possible. The Network exists SOLELY to ensure that animals escape abuse, neglect and euthanasia by finding appropriate life-long placements."

This organization had to have some guidelines in place and some foundation rules in order to function in the spirit it was intended.  As this was designed to be a  GRASS ROOTS, member driven organization and it's future formed by the members involved,  the *facilitators*  (concept founders) would remain in the background and only step in when the direction was
being steered away from the founding principals.  These facilitators also wished to remain anonymous for now as they did not want to overshadow or confuse the goal of the ARN as it was a separate entity from the organizations that they also represent.

Many heated discussions were had over the "types" of organizations and people that would join.  Naturally we expected
formal rescue organizations (both accredited and non-accredited), individuals who engage in rescue and curious people.
We did expect that a few breeders would become involved.  Again - let me state that we were not trying to EXCLUDE
anyone.  We are not a *secret society*.

If BREEDERS wanted to see first hand the problems in rescue and/or were willing to participate in transport or in other LIMITED ways, they were welcome to participate ON A VERY LIMITED BASIS. NO BIRDS CAN OR WILL BE PUT
IN BREEDING PROGRAMS OR GO TO FACILITIES WHICH ADOPT TO BREEDERS OR BREEDING PROGRAMS. PERIOD. THE DATABASE OF RESCUE THAT WILL BE MADE AS A PUBLIC RESOURCE , WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE REGIONAL OR STATE  LISTINGS OF RESCUERS, REHABBERS AND ADOPTION OR SANCTUARY PROGRAMS, WILL NOT LIST BREEDERS OR THOSE WHO PROMOTE BREEDING.

FURTHERMORE discussions about rescue vs. breeding is not APPROPRIATE ON ANY ARN LIST, WHETHER WORKGROUP OR SUPPORT or any future lists.

ARN is here to try and gather information, make connections with other organizations in order to "Save Lives, One Bird At
A Time".  Any other discussion that is not focused on the administration, transport, finding homes, set up or organization of resources to this end are NOT welcome here.  There are plenty of other venues out there for those discussions.

Thank you for your time and participation,

The Facilitators