IMPORTANT Message due to outbreaks of H5N1 Avian Influenza causing large numbers of deaths to seabirds

Due to the high numbers of H5N1 Avian Influenza the States of Alderney have recently sent out this important message –

‘An unprecedented outbreak of Avian Influenza or Bird Flu is currently affecting wild birds across Europe, notably waterfowl and seabirds in the north of the United Kingdom. Many thousands of seabirds, including Northern Gannets, have already died at their colonies and reports of dead birds show the outbreak is increasingly spreading southwards and is now in colonies in the English Channel. This week, over 1,000 Sandwich Terns died in a breeding colony in northern France near Calais, representing 10% of the French breeding population. David Chamberlain, States of Guernsey Veterinary Officer, said: “It is possible there will be large numbers of dead birds washing up on the beaches and these may be carrying the virus. The risk to the public is low when those in close contact with the birds take appropriate precautions. The general public and dogs must avoid contact with any dead birds that are washed up on the beaches.” As a precaution members of the public should avoid handling any sick or dead seabirds that may come ashore. If found, please report the incident to the States of Alderney by calling Alderney Animal Welfare Society on 07966 503694 and the bird will be dealt with in an appropriate and safe manner.’

With this in mind the GSPCA are urging bird owners to protect their pets and flocks.

With continued cases of H5N1 avian influenza throughout the UK their Animal & Plant Department Agency have been sending out notifications of new cases in both wild and domestic birds and it is even affecting rescues as the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital in Mallydams has had to shut their doors due to the virus.

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “The GSPCA has been highlighting cases of bird flu since November last year and promoting how important that we all take extra precautions in the Channel Islands to ensure our pet and farm birds are as safe as possible from bird flu.”

"We all are fully aware of the importance of bio-security due to the challenges we all face with Covid-19 and especially here at the GSPCA where we have to care for animals that can arrive with zoonotic diseases."

"Typically this form of the disease presents suddenly, often with very high mortality, with affected birds developing swollen heads, a blue colouration for those with a comb and wattles, dullness, lack of appetite, respiratory distress, diarrhoea and significant drop in egg production."

“With 1,000 Sandwich Terns killed in Calais due to the disease it is a real concern for the birds on and using our shores and island.”

“Thankfully although we haven’t had a case in as far as we are aware and we have tested those that have shown symptoms which came back negative we are on high alert.”

“Also the current cases seem to be affecting sea birds more than poultry and pet birds, but it is important we all ensure biosecurity for those in our care.”

“In fact we had an emergency meeting today to highlight the importance of protective clothing from face coverings to gloves and how to approach and handle suspected cases of bords with the illness.”

“On the 10th June the New Scientist reported that ‘The H5N1 avian influenza has killed wild birds including cranes in Israel, Dalmatian pelicans in Greece, knots (a type of shorebird) in the Netherlands and now several UK seabird species, primarily gannets. More than 383,000 bird deaths from the virus have been counted by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) since October 2021.’”

“They also mentioned that ‘About 16,500 of a population of 43,000 Svalbard barnacle geese, which migrate between Scotland’s Solway Firth and Norway’s Svalbard, are estimated to have died during the recent winter, says James Reynolds at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, a UK charity.’”

“Handling deceased or sick birds can put you at risk as some strains of Avian Flu have been known to pass on to humans and protective clothing is extremely important.”

“If you find sick birds in Guernsey you can call us 24/7 on 01481 257261, but we are sadly unable to collect deceased birds as we are so busy due to the time of year and numbers of sick and injured animals with the warm weather, as well as orphaned baby birds and hoglets.”

“If you do find deceased birds on our shoreline and are concerned like with deceased dolphins and whales as they can pose a health risk you can call States Works on 01481 226263.”

“We will of course update our website with any further alerts and the links we have online take your to the latest information available.”

The States Veterinary Officers encourage all pet/commercial poultry keepers to register with them so that they can alert keepers of any disease outbreaks or any other health or welfare concerns that may arise.

Avian influenza is a viral infection of domestic poultry and other wild birds, such as migrating waterfowl. Poultry includes chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeon (bred for meat), partridge, quail, guinea fowl and pheasants.

The virus is transmitted between individual birds by eating or drinking contaminated feed/water or inhalation of the virus. It can also be spread through the introduction of diseased birds to the flock or poor biosecurity of poultry keepers, such as a lack of cleaning and disinfection and poor pest control.

It is a notifiable animal disease, meaning that if you suspect any signs of avian influenza in poultry or wild birds, you must contact the States Veterinary Officers (email: [email protected], tel: 01481 221161).

More information on how poultry keepers can keep their poultry safe and what symptoms to look out for can be found here https://gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=135242&p=0 .

To be notified by the States Veterinary Officers in the event of disease outbreaks or other health and welfare concerns which may affect poultry, keepers can register by emailing [email protected] or calling 235740 and providing the following information:

• Name
• Address
• Contact details (phone number, email address)
• Type of birds kept
• Number of birds kept
• Location of poultry are located (if different to home address)

Details on how this data will be processed can be found here https://gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=131032&p=0 .

At the GSPCA we echo the good practice and advice from the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer for bird keepers:

• Ensure the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources;
• Feed and water your birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds;
• Minimise movement in and out of bird enclosures;
• Clean and disinfect footwear and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy;
• Reduce any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas, and fencing off wet or boggy areas.

Poultry keepers and members of the public with concerns should contact the States Veterinary Officer by calling 01481 257261 email [email protected] 

Further avian influenza advice, including how to spot the disease, is available:-

In England at www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu

In Scotland at www.gov.scot/avianinfluenza  

In Wales at  http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/ahw/disease/avianflu/?lang=en

In Guernsey at https://www.gov.gg/article/162975/Search-Whole-Site?q=avian&size=10#top

Guernsey States Vet facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/StatesVet

All poultry keepers are advised to read the information on Avian Influenza found at https://gov.gg/animalhealth. On this webpage, poultry keepers can also find a form to register their poultry.

Steve continued “There are many ways you can help support our vital 24/7 work and donate or raise funds for the hundreds of animals in our care.”

“With over 65 hedgehogs, 4 seal pups, dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, fish, reptiles and many birds we help over 3000 animals through the doors every year.”

“If you would like to support our Amazon Wish List and see lists of items that we use every day and things that we are appealing for.”

“If would like to help with wish list items you can call us on 01481 25721 or email [email protected] or the easy way to see many items we are in need  is by going to our Amazon Wish List https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList .”

“We do promote buying items locally but shopping online can help raise funds at the same time as if you select the GSPCA through easy fund raising part of the amount through 1000’s of online retailers comes back to the GSPCA and it has raised over £2500.”

“To sign up to do this please visit http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/guernseyspca/?u=1CHID8 .”

“Sadly Amazon Smile doesn’t allow Guernsey charities to sign up but you can go through easy fund raising to achieve the same donation.”

“As mentioned you can always chose to donate via local stores and the Amazon Wish List is a shop front showing some of the items we need but there are many others and we have published these on our Wish List page http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list .”

“A gift of a tiny bowl costing less than a £1 to a £600 intensive care unit, every donation is hugely appreciated and really makes the team smile that there are those that care and want to support our work.”

“Another amazing way to support our work is by just a couple of pounds each month can make a massive difference in helping the animals in our care and to find out more please go to http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf .”

“To make a donation you can go to https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA) .”  

“Something for your diaries in 2023 we are running a Puffin Parade and to sponsor a 4 foot puffin with the GSPCA and Autism Guernsey go to - http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/2023-autism-guernsey-and-gspca-will-bring-puffin-parade-guernsey-%E2%80%93-could-you-sponsor-and-paint- “

“We couldn’t do so much without your support.”

Donate

Donate by calling  01481 257261, by post to GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey GY6 8UD or online https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal

Puffin Patrol

In 2023 we are running a Puffin Parade and to sponsor a 4 foot puffin with the GSPCA and Autism Guernsey go to - http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/2023-autism-guernsey-and-gspca-will-bring-puffin-parade-guernsey-%E2%80%93-could-you-sponsor-and-paint-

Sponsored Event

Why not create your own sponsored event or challenge - https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

For lots more ideas why not visit our fundraising page www.gspca.org.gg/fundraising

Wish List

Check out our wish list page from the smallest of items to our biggest of projects there are many ways to support us - http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list

To visit our Amazon Wish list to see some of the items we need to help the wildlife please visit - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList

GSPCA Wildlife Hospital Appeal

To make a direct donation please visit - https://giving.gg/donate/event/4618/Please-Support-the-GSPCA-Wildlife-Hospital-Appeal

To Buy a Brick in the new Wildlife Hospital and download a leaflet please click here - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Buy%20a%20Brick%20Wildlife%20Hospital.pdf

Larger donors or corporates may want to make a larger donation and become an Exclusive Build Partner and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-exclusive-build-partner

Legacies & Bequests

By leaving a gift to the GSPCA in your Will really helps us to improve the lives of animals into the future.  After providing for those you care for, please consider leaving a proportion of what remains to the GSPCA it is so appreciated and makes a real lasting legacy.

A gift like this to the GSPCA ensures our animals and those in Guernsey will always have someone to keep them safe. To find out more please http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding 

Gift Aid on Donations over £500

To find out about the States of Guernsey tax relief information on gift aid up to 2020 on donations totalling between £500 and £5000 please see the details by going to https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=2617&p=0

2021 gift aid is from £500 and up to £7500 and here are the details - https://www.gov.gg/article/151830/Income-tax-relief

To download the form to claim for 2020 or before please follow this link https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=1994&p=0

Become a sponsor and GSPCA member

Why become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor and support our work each month please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf

To become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf  

Share our posts and follow us on social media

Many of you will have seen us on social media and your support liking and sharing our posts is really appreciated, and to visit our social media pages please go to

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GuernseySPCA

Twitter https://twitter.com/GSPCA

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gspca-guernsey-965b0751/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gspca_guernsey/

Subscribe to our Supporters Newsletter

To subscribe to our supporters newsletter and find out about upcoming events and news please go to https://us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9324335c87c8b3ec9f0016f2a&id=e61c951a08

In line with States of Guernsey advice please DO NOT visit the GSPCA if have any symptoms of Coronavirus and we continue visits to the Shelter for only essential reasons and to please call us on 01481 257261 or email [email protected] before your trip to see if we can help without you coming to the Shelter. For the latest information and advice please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/search/node/coronavirus

With huge challenges on our resources and a drop in income from boarding and donations please help us help animals in Guernsey with our #GSPCACoronavirusCrisisAppeal by donating online via - https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal

Below are our usual opening times but with the current challenges due to covid these are occasionally adjusted to ensure we provide the best of care for the animals and those needing our 24/7 help, in an emergency please call 01481 257261