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BOARD POLICIES, PROCEDURES, & RULES of the AMERICAN RACING PIGEON UNION, INC. Policy Title: Loft Certification Program Policy Number: AU 390 Effective Date: January 1, 2003 Last Revision: July 2010 Introduction: The AU Loft Certification Program is voluntary and is meant to recognize those lofts and handlers that meet a set of minimum national standards of care in the handling and housing of their pedigreed, banded Racing Homing Pigeons. The general guidelines are set forth in the AU Code of Ethics, (AU310), and certain provisions of the Animal Welfare Act, dated June 2002. These lofts must meet accepted standards of design, construction and maintenance with the owners complying with most current AWA guidelines and standards. 390.01 AU Loft Certification Procedure . A Committee consisting of one club official and one member-at-large from the member’s club will inspect and certify that the inspected loft meets the criteria as set forth in this policy letter and those criteria established in the AU AWA Guidelines & Best Practices, dated November 2004, available from the AU office. The checklist and certification form is incorporated in this policy letter. There is currently no charge for the inspection, Certificate, or loft certification process.390.02 Application and Certification Form . The checklist and certification is available from the AU national office and intended to be used as a guide by the inspecting, certifying officers.1. Certifying committee will complete the inspection as noted below, certify compliance with minimum standards by checking the appropriate marked boxes, signing the form, and submitting it to the AU National office, along with a photo of both the inside and outside of the loft, including trap.2. The AU National office staff will review the inspection, and will issue a numbered certificate of this inspection with: the date of inspection, members name, AU ID number, Loft name, club affiliation and complete address.3. The completed certificate will be returned to the member.4. It is recommended the certificate be laminated, framed and displayed in a conspicuous location at the respective loft.
390.03 CHECKLIST and General Criteria for Inspection . There is no "Pass" or "Fail" to loft inspections, however minimal accepted standards in the care and management of pigeons have been developed over the years, that are applicable to almost every loft and handler. (Inspectors should place an "X" in each check box if the loft meets acceptable standards. If not, the handler should be allowed 90 days to complete corrective actions, as required.DO NOT FORWARD the inspection form to the AU National Office until the loft meets all minimum standards, and any corrective actions have been completed. A. Inspection Checklist: 1. AU Member. Owner/fancier is a current AU member. ___ 1
2 390.04 Certification Duration. A loft is certified from the date of acceptance of the application by the Certifying Committee and is permanent although it is recommended that the committee visually inspect the loft every year or as determined necessary by the committee.The Loft Certification may be terminated if any one of the following events occur:
390.05 Environmental Controls. The AU endorses and recommends basic USDA approved environmental and bio-security protocols. These recommendations are point weighted as per the attached Environmental Controls Form (attached), in an effort to control the possible introduction of disease or disease causing agents to a loft, and to prevent the spread of disease in the case of a disease outbreak.1. Environmental Controls are voluntary and are considered an indication of proper loft hygiene and management. 2. Environmental Controls are point weighted depending on the seriousness of a specific disease outbreak.
3. Environmental Control inspection may be conducted by Loft certifying committee at the same time as the loft inspection and submitted at the same time. 390.06 Loft Certification and Ordinance Problems. In order to qualify for financial assistance afforded AU members for ordinance issues, lofts must be certified through the AU Loft Certification Program. A letter from club officers and a photograph of the inside and outside of the loft must be received and on file by the AU national office attesting to compliance and healthy loft management. Loft inspection must be within two weeks of date on application.390.07 Certification Form.390.07 Certification Form. This information is for AU use only and considered confidential. This data will not be shared with any agency without the loft owner’s specific, written permission.3 LOFT CERTIFICATION CHECKLIST To demonstrate our industry’s ability to self-regulate ourselves and manage our lofts, birds and any diseases that are encountered, the AU has asked all members to voluntarily have their lofts inspected and certified as complying with basic health and construction practices. This provides a tangible way of showing our concern for the health and well being of our birds to the public or any government group, and that we don’t require ‘outside’ regulation. It is easy, costs you nothing but a little time and may improve your loft. To certify your loft you must comply with all of the following minimum requirements, in the opinion of the local club officers certifying this application and successfully demonstrated that:Owner/fancier is a current registered AU member. ___ The owner’s loft complies with general housing requirements. ___ Loft is compatible with existing, surrounding buildings and neighborhood, and creates a favorable image to the public. ___ The loft surroundings are tidy, sanitary, devoid of unpleasant debris, odors, excess droppings, feathers or equipment clutter. Loft should be generally attractive and compatible with the surrounding neighborhood environment. ___ Loft construction appears sound with adequate ventilation, furnishings and equipment to avoid extreme temperatures, moisture and disturbance by other animals or pets ___ Loft maintenance appears to be adequate and regular, including external and internal repairs, provision for removal of droppings, dust, feathers, nesting material, excess feed, etc. ___ Provisions for feeding, watering, grit and nesting are adequate, sanitary and healthful for the birds present. This includes storage, method of distribution, quantities and types given. ___ Perches, nest boxes and other accessories (like aviaries, traps, lights, windows, etc.) are of sound design, placement and construction so that birds are not subjected to unsafe or overcrowded conditions and are in a controlled environment. ___ The number of birds kept does not exceed the capacity of the loft to adequately and comfortably house those birds, nor does it exceed the ability of the fancier to care for and properly handle and control all pigeons present. ___ Control by the owner of his/her birds while outside the loft appears adequate. Flying and roosting birds are not a neighborhood nuisance and do not present a threat of destruction personal property of others. ___ 4 LOFT CERTIFICATION FORM Section I – to be completed by member Member Name: ___________________________Phone: ___________ AU ID_______ Loft Name:________________________ Club:________________________________ Loft Address:____________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip:___________________________________________________________ Member Signature:_______________________________ Date:___________________ Section II – to be completed by Certifying Committee (one club official and one member-at-large) We have inspected the loft of __________________________ and hereby certify that to the best of our knowledge, the premises and practices acknowledged to use meet the minimum acceptable standards as recommended and set forth in the AU and AWA guidelines. Officer Signature(s): _________________________________ ___________________________________ Position:__________________________ ___________________________________ Name:____________________________ ___________________________________ Date signed:_______________________ ___________________________________ ____ Environmental Control form attached. ____ Inside & Outside loft photos attached. 5 AU ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS FORM Recommended and suggested protocols. There are various situations that may cause a fancier to enhance their use of environmental controls. In a normal healthy loft situation, a minimum of 10 points will indicate the loft owner keeps a well managed loft, takes sound precautions and understands basic environmental protocols. In the event of a local, or club health concern, a minimum of 15 points should be earned. Should a loft be in a location where quarantine is necessary due to a serious disease outbreak, a minimum of 18 points should be scored. Signs posted on your property that clearly state environmental controls are in place and enforced, that visitors are allowed only with the owners present. Scores 2 points ____(Putting up a sign is one of the cheapest ways to put visitors on notice that you have a Biosecurity program, even minimal, in effect. Visitors should wash their hands, and wear appropriate protective clothing.) Keep a log book for visitors to sign in and out. Scores 2 points ____Wear loft jacket or coveralls. Head or facemask in loft optional. Scores 2 points ____Disinfect shoes when going in/coming out of the loft. (foot bath) Scores 2 points ____Use of booties/foot covering when going in/coming out of the loft. Scores 2 points ____Wash hands before/after handling birds. Alcohol pads are cheap. Scores 2 points ____No other species, bird, animal in direct contact with pigeons. Scores 2 points ____Loft is secured or fenced, so there is no free access to pigeons. Scores 2 points ____Disinfect loft at least once annually. Scores 3 points ____Alternatively, use a spray disinfectant throughout the interior of the loft just prior to putting your breeders together. You should spray every surface in the interior of the loft, allow the loft to dry thoroughly, then spray a second time. Adding dormant oil to the spray will also help to control flies, mites and lice. Skylights installed in roof of loft Scores 2 points ____Ultraviolet light, a major component of sunlight, kills most viruses & bacteria. 6 Vaccinate all of your birds at least once annually. Scores 1 points for each of the following:Vaccinate young birds at 8 – 10 weeks Scores 1 point ___Vaccinate breeders prior to pairing. Scores 1 point ___Vaccinate old birds on race team. Scores 1 point ___Vaccination for PMV-Paramyxovirus and Paratyphoid once a year stimulates the birds’ immune systems, and can help prevent the development of these diseases. Young birds should be vaccinated at 8-10 weeks, and this should be repeated just prior to the young bird races – this schedule allows maximum development of the birds’ own immune system. Breeders should be vaccinated 30 days before putting the birds together and old birds on the race team should be vaccinated a month before training for races begins. Loft has an isolated section in which to contain new birds or those that have become ill, until good health is verified or restored. Scores 3 points ___Loft:________________________________ Total Points Scored:__________________Club Officers/Inspection Committee Signatures: ______________________________ ______________________________ Date:________________________________ Send this form attached to the Loft Certification Checklist & photos to the AU office: ARPU, PO Box 18465, Oklahoma City, OK 73154-0465 405-848-5801 Once received, a certificate will be generated and mailed with an AU Loft Certification Decal.
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