19/08/2025
⚠️ 𝗦𝗜𝗖𝗞 / 𝗗𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗜𝗥𝗗𝗦 - 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗶 & 𝗕𝗼𝗸𝘀𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗴
We wish to inform our community of two important notices.
We are "wearing two hats" - one as a business and private animal hospital, and the other as serving members of this wonderful community.
𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝟭: 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘆 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗱𝘀
We have made the important decision to no longer take in stray birds at our practice - from parrots to pigeons, doves, little fledglings etc we can no longer accept them.
We feel that it has become increasingly difficult to ensure biosecurity, and our patients need to be our priority.
There are wildlife organizations focusing on injured animals requiring rehabilitation, which have quarantine facilities. As much as we wish to assist, we see too many birds and parrots as patients, and the risk has outweighed the benefit.
𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝟮: 𝗦𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗗𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗩𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝘀
We have been contacted by our DA Cllr Mary Goby to assist with the birds that have passed away and, more recently, the Boksburg SPCA. There seems to be various locations affected.
𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲
We are not able to take in any of these sick or deceased animals at our facility. Our role will only be advisory and as a courtesy to the community. Please kindly do not contact us about this issue, as we are already in contact with stakeholders.
To assist and guide our community leaders, we have had successful dealings with various government departments over the past few days, who have been extremely helpful.
We have put the various members in contact, and they will conduct sample testing. The Department of Agriculture, together with the state vet, has confirmed that there are no positive cases in our area currently for avian influenza. Currently, this was only detected in two production poultry farms.
We appreciate everyone's concern and expect this to take some time to resolve.
We will advise where we can. However, the health concerns of wild animals fall under the responsibility of the assigned government departments.
We need to allow them to guide and advise on the correct protocol. Once their guidance has been provided, we will then know how we can best assist.
We hope to provide much-needed assistance by linking the correct departments and parties over the next month.
