We are on high alert at the sanctuary as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has spread across the U.S. This virus has heartbreaking implications for the birds in our care; if one bird becomes infected, the USDA requires all birds at that facility, farm or sanctuary to be euthanized. HPAI cases have now been confirmed in Snohomish County, WA where our sanctuary is located.
We currently care for 57 birds including chickens, turkey, waterfowl, guinea fowl and peafowl. In response to the spread directly in our area, we have significantly increased the biosecurity measures at our sanctuary to ensure the safety of our flock. Since HPAI is largely spread through wild birds, we are focusing our efforts on minimizing or eliminating risk posed from wild birds to our flock. All staff and vehicles go through rigorous sanitizing before entering our property to avoid bringing pathogens onsite. We are wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for our birds, and all visitors are kept away from our bird yards. We have also made significant modifications to our bird yards, or moved flocks to new spaces that allow for covered yards in an effort to prevent droppings and visits from wild birds.
This has been a huge project for our dedicated sanctuary staff – including many extra hours of work and materials to make sure our birds have safe spaces. If you are able to help us cover some of this unexpected cost, please consider making a donation.
Luckily for our flock, they continue to enjoy life at the sanctuary under the care of our dedicated staff. We are using treats, swinging toys, music, television, and more to keep them happy and engaged with their environment. We will continue to follow USDA guidelines and remain hopeful that warmer temperatures will eliminate the immediate threat of HPAI.
For their safety, our birds are being kept inside their barns or in covered spaces without access by wild birds. We are finding creative ways to make life interesting for them during this temporary situation.
