Current RSPCA and veterinary advice is to keep dogs and cats away from water birds and wildlife as much as possible, particularly around water ways and beaches
KEEPING DOGS SAFE
- Keeping your dog on lead particularly if they are near water birds habitats in areas such as parkland and beaches.
- Avoid interaction with sick/injured wildlife
- Avoiding ingestion of raw poultry meat, and dead bird carcasses.
KEEPING CATS SAFE
- Keep cats indoors
- Consider transitioning outdoor cats to to complete indoor homing to limit their exposure to wild birds
- Protect food and water from exposure to wild bird
- Avoiding ingestion of raw poultry or wild bird carcasses
- Guides and tips for indoor transition of our pet cats can be found at: safeandhappycats.com.au and safecat.org.au
- More information on health implications for outdoor cats and impact on wildlife can also be found at rethinkroaming.com.au
KEEPING DOMESTIC BIRDS AND CHICKENS SAFE
- Current recommendations are to keep any outdoor birds under cover ensuring good ventilation and space to move freely.
- Protecting their food and water sources from exposure to wild birds and other animals
- For more information for back yard poultry owners visit Agriculture Vic webiste here.
HELPING WILD LIFE / LIMIT SPREAD
- Avoid feeding wild birds to limit congregating groups and increasing risk of H5N1 spread
- Bird baths may still be used, provided they are cleaned frequently, however this advice may change as the presence of bird flu in Australia increases.
