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Pets rescued in wake of Canadian wildfires
Wildfires
Residents in Fort McMurray were forced to evacuate the city last Tuesday.

Over 80 rescue groups open their doors to evacuee’s pets

Emergency teams in Alberta, Canada, are working to rescue abandoned pets in the wake of the devastating Fort McMurray wildfires.

Despite major damage and thick smoke, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, which oversees the city, said that it was sending teams in to rescue pets at their owner's request.

Among those enlisted to help is locksmith Kevin Wonitowy, who will break into homes where animals are trapped inside.

Speaking to Reuters, Mr Wonitowy said he would be needed for three to four days in the nearly empty city that was once home to 88,000 pets.

Another rescue worker, Angel Rowe of Leduc, Alberta, said he organised a convoy to Fort McMurray on Friday. Mr Rowe said the convoy would be stationed outside the city to transport the rescued pets to animal shelters.

According to a local non-profit website, over 80 animal rescue groups have opened their doors to evacuee’s pets so far. But sadly, reunification with owners may still be some time off.

Tammy Dumais, who runs the Guardian Angel Animal Rescue Society in Edmonton, said that even people who brought their pets with them during evacuation ended up unable to take care of them.

She added that at least 11 cats have been handed over to her organisation by owners fleeing south.

Residents in Fort McMurray were forced to evacuate the city last Tuesday (3 May) with little warning.

Access has since been restricted, and many owners who left their pets behind have been calling on animal shelters and appealing for information online.

Image (C) DarrenRD/Wikimediacommons

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.