17/07/2026
🚨 IMPORTANT UPDATE: Bird Flu (H5N1) & Wild Bird Drop-offs 🚨
With the recent confirmation of H5N1 bird flu in New Zealand wild birds, we are implementing strict biosecurity protocols to protect our team, patients, and community.
If you find a sick or injured wild bird, please DO NOT bring it directly into the clinic.
Bringing wild birds inside without warning creates an immediate risk of spreading this highly contagious virus to other animals and pets in our care.
What to do instead:
1. 📞 Call us first before leaving your house. We will assess the situation over the phone and give you specific instructions on how or where we can safely take the bird.
2. 🚫 Do not handle the bird with bare hands. Keep children and household pets well away.
3. 📱 Call the authorities:
o For 1–2 sick or dead native birds, call the Department of Conservation hotline: 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
o If you see a group of 3 or more sick or dead birds, report it immediately to Biosecurity New Zealand: 0800 80 99 66.
Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us keep our clinic safe for everyone! 🐾❤️
