Animal Sanctuary Confirms Avian Influenza Outbreak
An Okanagan animal rescue organization is confronting a devastating avian influenza outbreak at its Summerland facility. Critteraid, which provides care for various pets and farm animals, announced the situation publicly through social media platforms.
Sanctuary Responds to Health Crisis
The non-profit organization described the outbreak as "one of the most heartbreaking experiences in our history" in their Facebook statement. They confirmed working closely with multiple authorities including veterinary professionals, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Interior Health, and epidemiological divisions after confirming a positive case of H5N1 at their sanctuary.
Critteraid's facility typically houses a diverse range of animals including cats, dogs, goats, pigs, horses, chickens, and ducks. While pets are often adopted out to new homes, the pasture animals remain as permanent residents at the sanctuary.
Regional Context and Transparency Commitment
This development follows another recent avian influenza incident in British Columbia where the CFIA culled more than 300 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood. That situation culminated in a Supreme Court ruling supporting the CFIA's actions last week.
Despite the emotional toll on staff and volunteers, Critteraid emphasized their commitment to transparency, stating they are "not hiding anything from our community." The organization acknowledged that while immediate response efforts might limit their availability for questions, they promised to provide updates about the situation's development and maintain open communication with their supporters.
The sanctuary team expressed their determination to navigate the crisis with "care, accuracy and integrity" while continuing to support both their animals and each other through the challenging circumstances.
