The bird flu has reached Germany - and cats can catch it, too! :(

[ChrisH]

I haven't heard any reports on cats being dumped over here,yet, but some people are dumping their pet birds.

Pets dumped amid bird flu fears
A wildlife rescue centre says pet birds are being dumped by their owners due to fears over Avian flu.

Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary, in Nuneaton, has had 12 birds, including budgies, cockatiels and love birds, left in its care in the past week.
Owner Geoff Grewcock said the centre does not usually receive domestic birds unless their owners die or are unwell.
He said people leaving their pets tell him it is due to bird flu, but he said they are panicking unnecessarily.

Incidents increasing

"People are getting so scared but it is so sad as these type of birds which live inside the house won't get bird flu," Mr Grewcock said.

Last week a canary was dumped at the Countryside Bird Farm in Feckenham, Worcestershire. Its owner was concerned about bird flu.
An RSPB spokeswoman said she was aware of an increase in such incidents.
She said: "We urge people not to dump their pets as there is no evidence of bird flu in this country anyway and pet birds are not outdoors."

The Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) is also concerned people are overreacting.
It is asking them to call only if they find groups of dead wild birds.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/c...re/4768742.stm

[Kirsten]

I thought about this problem for days, and decided to post a reminder on my bird flu information page at www.catmom.de.

I wrote:

But please keep in mind...

Surely the bird flu is a serious threat. Nevertheless I would like to remind you not to panic and not to consider to get "rid" of your cat, bird or any other pet that lives with you. There's absolutely no need to!

Instead, try to get as much information as possible, and - if you live in an affected area - follow the precautionary measures to protect you and your pet.

An animal is a living being with feelings and emotions, and it will give you its love as long as it lives. It also has a right to have a loving home, together with "its" humans. Don't reject its friendship by allowing panic to take over, and by letting your fear suggest you that your pet friend now becomes a danger to you.


I know it won't help much, as not too many people are reading the page, but I thought as I already posted some facts about the disease, people should also be reminded not to panic.

My heart breaks for every animal that's losing it's home now because people are scared and uninformed.

Kirsten