The H5N1 HPAI virus is not present in the United States at this time. Therefore, wild birds, including Canada Geese, turkeys, and song birds, pose little risk to you or your pets. Keeping cats and dogs indoors, unless being walked on a leash or otherwise confined, is best for their safety, regardless of risk of infection with the virus. Cats and dogs allowed to roam outdoors are exposed to many dangers, including automobile injuries, animal bites, poisoning, and other infectious diseases.

Giving your cat a collar fitted with a bell or a sonar device will reduce the number of birds it catches. You can buy collars that are fitted with a quick release mechanism that is safer for your cat. Keeping your cat indoors at dusk and dawn, when birds are most vulnerable, will also help. If you keep your cat well fed, they are less likely to hunt and are more likely to stay close to home which may curb their hunting instincts.

The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens considers that the risk of transmission of AI from wild birds to the general public is small. However, to minimise any risk it is advisable to carry out general hygiene precautions when handling wild birds, such as wearing disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling carcases and washing hands, nails and forearms thoroughly with soap and water after handling the carcase.

It depends upon the dog or cat. Most dogs and cats may see your chin as an animal to kill, or in the instance of your cat it may find it to be similar to the mouse or rat. It could make a toy out of it. Do not leave the chin alone with other animals at any time. You will have to use your own judgment on this one! (back to top)

Animal Rescue Center does not accept stray animals unless they are injured. All stray animals should be taken to your local Animal Care & Control so that their owners have an opportunity to find them.

Outdoor cats live a life that is a mystery to their owners. Your outdoor cat will happily use the neighbour's garden or lawn as a giant-sized litter box, causing a great deal of aggravation. Many are also breeding with other cats, increasing the already overwhelming population of unwanted, homeless cats. Outdoor cats are prone to getting lost and hundreds of cats die annually on the streets of Toronto, alone and unidentified.

Some people say it's cruel not to let a cat go outside. Based on our experience at Affection Connection, we've put together this list of all the things an indoor-only cat misses: fewer fleas - cleaner furniture - lower vet bills - a pet that's more closely bonded to you - peace of mind knowing your cat is safe and happy

Animals, animal/pet bowls and dishes and animal cages should be brought indoors during spraying hours.

This depends on the dog. You can get one that has a heavier door that requires more force to open that only a larger dog can open. Smaller dogs may be out of luck. Cats can easily slip through a automatic door when a dog opens it, so an automatic door may not be the best option.

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

While the high pathogenic Asian H5N1 strain of avian flu is presently not a threat to the U.S. public, DU encourages people to follow the standard precautions offered for protecting themselves against wildlife related diseases when handling harvested animals. According to the National Wildlife Health Center, "Persons handling wild birds should follow routine hand washing and safe food preparation practices.

Yes. The standard recommendation for ensuring that any wild game is safely cooked is to cook all types of meat thoroughly to at least 155-165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill disease organisms, parasites and viruses such as avian flu. It's not uncommon to see dead ducks or geese while in the field. Do not assume that any form of bird flu killed the ducks or geese, because these birds can die from many other causes.

While currently there are unconfirmed reports of people being infected with H5N1 from dead wild birds, exposure to domestic and wild birds potentially infected with H5N1 should be avoided. The only documented cases of transmission to humans are from poultry; these cases include both highly pathogenic and low pathogenic strains of avian influenza. the present time, close contact with infected domestic poultry has been the primary way that people have become infected with the HPAI H5N1 virus.

Yes. The standard recommendation for ensuring that any wild game is safely cooked is to cook all types of meat thoroughly to at least 70-75 degrees Celsius (155-165 degrees Fahrenheit) to kill disease organisms, parasites and viruses such as avian flu. It's not uncommon to see dead ducks or geese while in the field. Do not assume that any form of bird flu killed the ducks or geese, because these birds can die from many other causes.

Feed-back from pet owners indicate great satisfaction when used for a variety of different reasons such as:

Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil has the scent of the ocean and the rich taste of fresh fish, which most dogs and cats like right away. If your dog or cat's diet has been consistent for a long time, he or she might need to be introduced to the new taste gradually. In this case, we recommend that you use smaller amounts of Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil over a period of several days. Once acquainted with this new and natural taste, you can expect your dog or cat to exhibit a certain level of healthy addiction.

Dosage directions are printed on the label so that you can give your dog or cat the proper amount of Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil. Also, don't put Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil on more food than your pet will eat in a day because Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil is all-natural and contains very valuable and highly reactive fatty acids, which will benefit your dog or cat.

No, Bengal cats are bred from Asian leopards. Asian leopards have recently come off the endangered species list. So what of the Bengal Cat? Well, it's name come from the Asian leopard's scientific name, Felis Bengalensis, (some even speculate that the late Mr. Bill Engle, B. Engle, had some thing to do with the name), so no, it's not a tiger by any stretch. Bengals carry some of their ancestor's (the Asian leopard's) wild nature true, such as a love for water.

While there are powers under the Animal Health Act 1981 which allow us to kill wild birds, there is no intention to use these powers at present. The control of avian influenza infection in wild bird populations is not feasible - from a logistical, environmental and biodiversity point of view. Indiscriminate culling of wild migratory bird populations would be ineffective in preventing further spread of avian influenza and their hunting would likely cause dispersion of the birds.

Most avian influenza viruses have been isolated from wild waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) and shorebirds (wading birds), gulls, and terns. With rare exceptions, the thousands of flu isolates found in wild birds have been low pathogenic avian influenza and have rarely caused signs of illness. The occurrence of avian influenza in wild ducks in North America reaches its height in late summer and early fall. At other times of the year, infection rates are usually less than 1 percent.

No one may have in his/her possession any native wild species of bird without special federal and state permits. No one may tamper with or destroy any occupied nest of a native wild species. Such a nest may be destroyed only when not in use after the breeding season. No one may kill any native species except a properly licensed hunter during an authorized hunting season.

The RSPCA (England and Wales), SSPCA (Scotland) and USPCA (Northern Ireland) are the national charities that help and advise on sick and injured birds and animals. The RSPB does not run bird hospitals or a rescue service.

According to the World Health Organization, the avian flu in wild and/or domestic birds has spread from Southeast Asia to South Asia and Pacific countries, to Africa and the Near East and to several countries in Europe. Forty-three countries have reported infected birds as of April 19, 2006.

LPAI in wild birds is usually not detected since signs are mild. Signs may include or respiratory distress, intestinal distress and lethargy. For information on AI in Maryland poultry and humans, please consult the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) (www.mda.state.md.us) and the Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DHMH) - (www.dhmh.state.md.us and www.edcp.org).