BIRD FLU INFORMATION AND PLAN

Being a rescue with wild birds, we have to take avian influenza extremely seriously! Should we take in a bird that has bird flu, we risk all of our birds being culled by DEFRA, something we’re not prepared to risk!

You can report dead birds to DEFRA via their online form OR by calling them (03459 33 55 77) them should you find:

  • 1 or more dead birds of prey (such as an owl, hawk or buzzard)

  • 3 or more dead birds that include at least 1 gull, swan, goose or duck

  • 5 or more dead wild birds of any species

You can use this service to report other types or numbers of dead wild birds.

Do not touch dead wild birds

We understand that finding a deceased animal can be a heartbreaking event, even for our volunteers, it never gets easier!

Who can you report a dead animal too?

If the animal is on PUBLIC lands, such as a street, road, or park, you can contact North East Lincolnshire Council or your local authority if you’re out of the area. (This option will be below).

If the animal is on PRIVATE land, it is deemed by NELC that it is the property owner’s responsibility to dispose of the animal in the correct way. They suggest that:

Any dead animals such as fox’s, squirrels, etc that are found in gardens, can be placed in a black bag and placed in the normal waste disposal bin. Birds may also be disposed of in your domestic bin. Please ensure you always use gloves when picking up dead animals or birds. - NELC WEBSITE

We would suggest contacting your local vet center and seeing if they are able to dispose of the animal for you. Please note that vets do not have to provide disposal for free so there may be a charge for this service.

Deceased Marine Life:

Due to our coastal location and our proximity to Donna Nook, it’s to be expected that some marine life will wash up on our shore. Although it can be distressing to see, the tide will usually take the deceased seals, or other marine life back out into the estuary, where it becomes a food source for other marine life such as crabs and fish (but hopefully no sharks!).

While intervention may not be necessary, there are a few people you can report to:

Cleethorpes Beach Safety (NELC): 01472 323356

NELC

or the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP)

SEND US A MESSAGE ON FACEBOOK TO REPORT

DECEASED PETS:

Pets, especially cats, can sadly be found in unusual places when they pass away. We would ask that where possible, you take the animal to your local vet in hopes that the owner can be located. If the animal is on public land, such as on a road, it again can be reported to NELC for them to collect.

Grimsby and Cleethorpes have a fantastic team of volunteers for pets called ‘Charlies Angels’ It’s always worth reporting to them what you have found, when possible, a member of their team may attend to assess the animal.

Why don’t we have a dead animal collection service?

There are a few reasons we do not collect deceased wildlife, the main reasons being biosecurity, time, and cost. Let’s start with Biosecurity - We do not know why the animal has passed away - should it be a virus or zoonic disease, we could inadvertently spread it to other animals in our care. The next is time and cost, we’re a very small team who spends a lot of time rescuing living injured, or sick wildlife… A disposal service will mean we have less time to save wildlife that has a chance of survival… We also get charged for EVERY disposal, depending on the animal size this could be £20-60… Money much better spent saving wildlife that has a chance! We hope you understand!

Reporting Deceased Wildlife: