Avian Bird Flu Update

This week this announcement was made in the UK from Defra -

“Update 17 October

Following a change in the risk levels and an increase in the number of detections of avian influenza (bird flu) in kept and wild birds, the Chief Veterinary Officers from England, Scotland and Wales have declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across Great Britain to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and captive birds.

This means that from midday on Monday 17 October, it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Great Britain to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the threat of avian flu. Further information on the mandatory biosecurity measures can be found in the declaration.

Declaration of an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (England – excluding Suffolk, Norfolk and parts of Essex) (PDF, 675 KB, 7 pages).

The existing AIPZ with mandatory housing continues to apply in Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex.” 

Here in Guernsey we have been informed from the Deputy States Veterinary Officer Grace Hodgkinson that “Given that the whole of Great Britain is a prevention zone, imports of poultry to Guernsey from Great Britain are no longer permitted under our general import licence and therefore a specific import licence will need to be applied for using the following application form. “

 “Please note that there are currently no bird flu cases in kept poultry in Guernsey and no housing restrictions in place.”

“Although we are lucky at present, this doesn’t mean that we will not need to implement restrictions throughout the winter period.”

“Good biosecurity is imperative in preventing the introduction and spread of the virus.”

Please ensure that you can safely house your birds, should the need arise in the unfortunate event of an outbreak.”

Further details on bird flu can be found here.

The GSPCA continue to be called out to birds with Avian Bird Flu sadly.

If you find a sick bird, who you should contact will vary depending on the following circumstances:

• If you find any sick poultry, please contact the States Vets using the contact details on this page.
• If you find any sick wild bird, please contact the GSPCA by calling 01481 257261.
• If you find a dead bird, who you should contact will vary depending on the following circumstances:
• If you find a dead sea bird, garden bird or pigeon on your own property, it is your responsibility to safely collect and dispose of the bird. Guidance on how to do this safely is available in the Avian Influenza Guidance document in the downloads section of this page.
• If you find dead poultry, or a dead bird of prey, please contact the States Vets using the contact details on this page.
• If you find a dead sea bird on the shoreline, please contact States Works by calling 01481 226263.
• If a dead bird has leg rings, please provide the States Vets with the leg ring number, the date that you found the bird and the location where it was found.

Information on Avian Influenza can be found here or in the downloads section of this page. 

Please use the form on this link https://gov.gg/animalhealth to register your poultry with the States Veterinary Officers. By holding a register of poultry keepers, the States Veterinary Officers can notify keepers of important developments and directly distribute the latest guidance. Knowing the numbers and locations of poultry on-island will also help the Veterinary Officers in the event of an outbreak. A Fair Processing Notice for how we will use your data can be found in the downloads section of this page.

For any questions, further information or help registering, please contact the States Veterinary Officers at [email protected] or tel: 01481 221161.

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “Sadly we continue to see sick birds due to Avian Flu and it is so sad that the disease is so deadly.”

“Every day we are called out and receive sick birds and also have many more reported that are deceased across the Guernsey and other islands and rock outcrops.”

“For those that keep birds outside its really important to keep the food and water away from wild birds to limit the risks and follow the advice, as well as registering your flock if poultry with the States Vet.”

For more information on the States of Guernsey website please visit https://gov.gg/animalhealth and to see the Avian Flu Guidance please visit https://gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=135242&p=0

To see other posts on Avian Flu please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/search/node/avian%20flu

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 Parade

In 2023 we are running a Puffin Parade and to sponsor a 4 foot puffin with the GSPCA and Autism Guernsey go to - https://puffinparade.org.gg/

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

Upcoming Events we are at and need your help -

Beau Cinema Event Sunday 30^th October – https://www.guernseytickets.gg/?fbclid=IwAR0MR32dSzZU34tN_zUv5IWt3pow16s0UAeRhgYLlc-yPtALLfo3TZycv5A

Dog First Aid 6.30pm - 8.45pm Wednesday 9th November 2022 - Ref - Dog 9/11 - https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses

Volunteer Induction Evening 630pm Wednesday 23^rd November 2022 https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers

Cat First Aid 6.30pm - 8.45pm Wednesday 30th November 2022 - Ref – Cat30/11 - https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses

2023 GSPCA and Autism Guernsey have the Puffin Parade - https://puffinparade.org.gg/