From today (26 Jan) Pets Corner will be closed to the public as a preventative measure against Avian Flu.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), within the Department of for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), has carried out tests to determine the presence of Avian Flu in a small number of dead and diseased birds at a venue within the region.
As a result, APHA will now implement a three-kilometre exclusion zone from this venue for farms, allotments and smallholdings, and public urban farms.
Due to these new restrictions, we have unfortunately had to close Pets Corner to the public to limit the exposure of our animals and keepers. Pets Corner will remain closed until we are advised that the restrictions are being lifted. We want to assure everyone that to date none of our animals have shown any symptoms and this is purely a preventative measure in line with the government guidance.
The prevention zone will be in place until further notice and will be kept under regular review as part of our work to monitor the threat of bird flu. You can keep up to date with the latest outbreak assessments, and find advice on what steps you need to take if you keep birds, on the government website.
Poultry keepers and members of the public should report dead wild birds to the DEFRA helpline on 03459 33 55 77 and keepers should report suspicion of disease to APHA on 03000 200 301.