Require certification from suppliers that birds are legally imported or are of US stock and healthy prior to shipment, and will be transported in new or thoroughly disinfected containers. Isolate all newly purchased birds for at least 30 days. Restrict movement of personnel between new and old birds.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has a website with photos and information to help you evaluate your birds. http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/ah/avian_health_program.htm

USDA-APHIS requires that all imported birds (poultry, pet birds, birds exhibited to zoos, and ratites) be tested and quarantined for disease before entering the country.

Smuggling pet birds, especially Amazon parrots pose a great risk of introducing END. Amazon parrots that are carriers of END but do not show symptoms are capable of shedding END virus for more than 400 days. All species of birds are capable of becoming infected and transmitting this disease.

Please report these without delay so that we can discuss with you and provide advice on the next steps.

Yes, it is safe to consume THOROUGHLY COOKED poultry products. The H5N1 virus is sensitive to heat and gets destroyed by normal cooking temperatures of 70- 100 degree Celsius. If meat from poultry birds and eggs are cooked properly, the virus will be destroyed. Just make sure that no part of the meat remains raw or uncooked.

Tube wild bird feeders are very popular with most backyard wild birds. They provide some of the most productive bird watching hours. Goldfinches will use thistle seed feeders. Most backyard songbirds will be happy to use your standard tube bird feeders that are filled with sunflowers or seed mixes. They come in a great variety of styles and prices.

Birds with summer ranges normally far to the north of where most A.T. hikers live are often found in the mountains, where the altitude makes the climate resemble that of Canada. Insect-eating birds such as whippoorwills, flycatchers, and swallows rarely show up in back yards but are common along the Trail. The songs of deep-woods birds such as the ovenbird, kinglet, veery, pewee, and red-eyed-vireo will provide an ongoing chorus for summer hikers.

www.backyardpoultry.com has lots of poultry related things: Photos of many breeds including Fowls and Bantams, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, turkeys and other bird-like animals; A notice board for advertising and notices; an online breeders directory (where you can search by state or by breed); various articles on poultry; links to lots of other poultry pages; and also hosts various poultry club's websites

Anyone who suspects that his or her poultry are either sick or have died from HPAI, or anyone who suspects that wild birds have been killed by HPAI should immediately notify the relevant authorities (local community veterinarian) or telephone the Food Safety and Veterinary Inspection Service Hotline at 010-------.

present, the H5N1 avian flu is not known to be here in the United States. Those with pet birds, such as parrots, cockatiels, love birds or budgies should not worry about their pets getting "bird flu" if they have not been out of the country or in contact with birds from other countries. In order to protect your pet birds from other avian diseases, keep your birds isolated from wild birds. Isolation of newly acquired or ill birds from others for 30 days is recommended.

Most of the pre-packaged wild birdseed and suet cakes are a favorite among backyard birds. This mixture can be obtained from most grocery stores, pet stores or Wild Bird Centers (1-800-WILD BIRD).

of July 2005, no birds kept as pets have been reported to be infected with the H5N1 virus. There should be no cause for concern if bird owners are careful to keep their birds in clean conditions, keep their birds away from any wild birds that may carry the virus, and wash their hands after handling birds or after coming into contact with their birds' droppings. Do not allow your pet birds to come into contact with wild birds.

Permit only essential workers and vehicles on premises. Ensure no shipping articles, equipment, or personnel have contact with quarantined areas. Exclude vaccination crews, catching crews, and other service personnel who may have been in contact with a poultry operation within 24 hours. Protect flocks from wild birds that may try to nest in poultry houses or feed with domesticated birds. Take diseased birds to a diagnostic laboratory for examination as directed by the state veterinarian.

It is all about safety, safety, safety. For the standard backyard compost bin or vermicomposter set-up, there is no guarantee that the pile will heat up enough from the microbial activity to destroy any harmful pathogens in the waste. Imagine a nick on your hand caused by yard work. Now imagine that hand dipping into contaminated compost-not a pretty picture. Unless your compost has been specifically designed and allocated for fecal management, steer clear and keep your composter poop free!

By reducing the reflectivity of windows or by creating physical barriers that prevent collisions you may help reduce the large number of bird deaths that occur every year. The Audubon Society has some good suggestions: http://www.audubon.org/educate/expert/window.html

A woman still goes through menopause even if she is taking birth control pills. But she may not know it. Menopause occurs naturally when your ovaries stop making estrogen and progesterone. Eventually your menstrual periods stop, and you can no longer become pregnant. Signs and symptoms of decreased production of estrogen and progesterone include hot flashes, sleep disturbances and vaginal dryness.

CDC's recommendations for preventing transmission of MRSA / VRE in hospitals consist of standard precautions, which should be used for all patient care. In addition, CDC recommends contact precautions when the facility (based on national or local regulations) deems the multidrug-resistant microorganism to be of special clinical and epidemiologic significance.

The Nassau County Department of Public Works (DPW) is responsible for mosquito control, they perform the following services: Monitor and treat with larvicides, when appropriate, 650 recharge basins (sumps), 200 miles of fresh water streams, 70,000 street basins, and 50 ponds. Check suspect breeding sites by "dipping," which entails scooping water from potential breeding areas to see if larvae are present.

END is a threat to the caged-bird industry and poultry hobbyists. Birds illegally smuggled into the US are not quarantined and tested on entry. Anyone who is offering to sell young parrots should be suspected of smuggling or purchasing smuggled birds. Amazon parrots can be carriers of END and can shed the virus for more than 400 days.

Absolutely! The Indianapolis Animal Care & Control Division has a wide selection of healthy pets available and ready to be placed in a loving home. Please visit Indianapolis Animal Care & Control or visit Pets Available for Adoption to view available animals. The fee to adopt your new pet is $60, which includes spay/neuter procedure, first round of booster vaccinations and a microchip.

It is important to note that many Canadian poultry producers already maintain high standards of biosecurity within their operations. Canadian producers should use strict biosecurity to prevent the spread of AI to their operations. Biosecurity protects the health of livestock by preventing the transmission of disease. More information about biosecurity can be found here:

The most important control measures are rapid destruction (“culling” or “stamping out”) of all infected or exposed birds, proper disposal of carcasses, and the quarantining and rigorous disinfection of farms. The virus is killed by heat (56 degrees C for 3 hours or 60 degrees C for 30 minutes) and common disinfectants, such as fomalin and iodine compounds. The virus can survive, at cool temperatures, in contaminated manure for at least three months.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has halted the shipment of any products from the two Chinese companies implicated in the contamination, and is inspecting 100% of corn meal, corn gluten, wheat gluten, rice protein concentrate, soy protein and rice bran imported from China. Although contamination of all of these products has not been found, they are using caution and inspecting all of the vegetable products imported from China.

There are no current reports of either wild or domestic Asian H5N1 infected birds in Canada. The CFIA, in partnership with other government and non-government organizations, continues to monitor commercial and non-commercial flocks and wild birds in Canada for the AI virus. Click here for more information on bird surveillance.

Yes you can, but it is important to note that not all animals surrendered can be held for adoption due to the number of animals brought to the shelter and space limitations. Animals that display or have displayed aggression, destruction, or fear biting may be euthanized. The shelter can and may euthanize the animal on the day it is surrendered depending on the circumstances.

Every yard needs an onsite evaluation to determine the best access for our construction equipment. The amount of space available on either side of the residence will determine what size bobcat we can use. Sometimes we will have to take down portions of a fence or wall, with permission from a neighbor if access is limited or use a smaller machine. Occasionally we are able to enter from the rear of the property.

Your identification, proof of pet ownership, proof of current rabies vaccination for your pet, and cash to pay all fees.