The Main Shelter and Thrift Store are closing at 4:00 pm Friday, March 24, for a special event. Adoption visits are first-come, first-served. We recommend checking our current waitlist prior to your visit. Most other services are by appointment only, including reuniting lost animals, surrendering a pet, wildlife rehabilitation, and more.

Jul 30, 2021

DCHS Monitors Bird Disease Reported in Several States

SHARE:

No Wisconsin cases verified, victims include blue jays, grackles, starlings and robins

Bird feeders are great for attracting feathered friends to your backyard.

However, there is concern that they may be linked to an unknown and fatal avian disease in the eastern and midwestern United States.

No Wisconsin cases have been verified, but the disease has caused either eye swelling and crusty discharge, neurological signs or both in areas such as Washington, D.C., Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Victims have included juvenile or fledgling blue jays, common grackles, European starlings, and American robins.

Jackie Sandberg, wildlife training supervisor at Dane County Humane Society, said wildlife rehabilitators are often on the front lines monitoring diseases that may spread to local animal populations.

“They are some of the first to receive calls or photos from the public about sick or dying birds and are therefore an important resource in the community for tracking these occurrences,” she said. “Their participation, by admitting symptomatic wildlife, reporting patients for testing, and partnering with local health agencies, is crucial towards helping ongoing research to identify host species, novel infections, or potential routes of transmission.”

Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recommend people remove bird feeders or bird baths if they see sick or dead birds on their property. The American Bird Conservancy, UW Fish & Wildlife Service, and the National Audubon Society recommend the public take a more proactive approach and take down their bird feeders now, even before they see evidence of the disease. In general, feeders should be cleaned regularly with 10% bleach solution to prevent the spread of any disease.

“Several wildlife laboratories, including the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, are working to identify the cause or causes of these cases,” DNR Wildlife Veterinarian Lindsey Long said. “These symptoms can be from multiple cases, so these groups have been conducting expansive testing. As part of our continued monitoring of wildlife health, we ask Wisconsinites to report birds with swollen or scabbing eyes, so that we may investigate further.”

If you find a deceased bird, report it to your local conservation biologist or wildlife biologist. If you encounter a live bird with symptoms of the disease, call Dane County Humane Society’s Wildlife Center at (608) 287-3235.

DCHS will provide updates via Facebook and Instagram on this disease and other steps you can follow to keep it under control. Learn more about the Wildlife Center and follow their work on DCHS's Wildlife Center Facebook page.

Next Story

Mar 1st, 2023

DCHS Partners with Program to Offer New Rehoming Service

DCHS partners with Home To Home™ to offer a rehoming service for pet guardians looking for permanent and temporary homes for their animals.

Full Story

Next Story

Mar 1st, 2023

DCHS Teams with BISSELL, Other Groups to Transfer More Animals

As animal adoptions slow down across the country, DCHS steps up to help.

Full Story

Next Story

Feb 2nd, 2023

Bunny Dates Help Pet Rabbits Get Closer

Rabbits need a number of bunny dates to help them become bonded. We discuss some rules to follow to help make the process a success.

Full Story

Next Story

Feb 2nd, 2023

Something to Chew On: Dental Health for Pets

Oral care is vital to our pets’ overall health, which is why DCHS is fortunate to have a dental suite. Learn why you should be concerned and get tips to help your pet maintain good dental hygiene.

Full Story

Next Story

Jan 24th, 2023

Behind the Numbers: Wildlife Center's 2022 Annual Report Data

What animals were admitted to DCHS's Wildlife Center for rehabilitation in 2022? How many of what species, and could we find any trends? See details of our recent annual wildlife reports!

Full Story

Next Story

Jan 24th, 2023

Bald Eagle Boom: Setting Intake Records in 2022

A record number of bald eagles came in to DCHS's Wildlife Center in 2022. How many eagles were admitted and for what reasons? The answers and numbers below may surprise you.

Full Story