Report sick, injured or other wildlife situations
Vaughan Animal Services can be reached at 905-832-2281 or animal.services@vaughan.ca
With geese starting to return to the community, the City of Vaughan is reporting a significant number of birds that have died or are infected with presumed avian influenza (H5N1), also known as bird flu, throughout the community.
The public is asked to report any dead or ill geese to Vaughan Animal Services (VAS) at 905-832-2281 or animal.services@vaughan.ca and staff will respond. Please do not touch the birds.
As is always recommended by the Public Health Agency of Canada, members of the public should not handle sick or dead wild birds or other wildlife, as they may be infected with diseases that can spread to humans. Pets should also be kept away from sick or dead wildlife and be kept on leashes.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, wild birds in Canada and throughout the world are natural carriers of avian influenza viruses. Although some wild birds may get sick and die, others can be infected and still appear healthy. Avian influenza can spread to domestic poultry and can sometimes spread to mammals, such as foxes, skunks and mink, who may eat infected birds. Rarely, avian influenza may also spread to people. While the likelihood of becoming infected with avian influenza virus is low, individuals should still be cautious when handling infected wild birds or other wildlife because avian influenza has the potential to cause severe disease in people.
Vaughan Animal Services continues to discourage the use of birdfeeders and recommends removal of existing ones to limit the transmission of the virus. As well, cats should be kept indoors, and birdbaths should be removed.
If you have any questions about your property, please contact VAS at 905-832-2281 or animal.services@vaughan.ca.
Helpful links
- Recommendations for the public: Public Health Agency of Canada
- General information on avian influenza: Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative
- Tips for dealing with wildlife: Vaughan Animal Services
- Suspected cases of avian flu found in York Region: York Region
