Avian Rescue Otago Emergency and Critical Care Centre

12/12/2025

When we look at pet birds and their care in a post veterinary treatment setting it can greatly vary from that of our dogs and cats. The reality is, we dont have a place set up for pet birds to recieve supportive care and nursing when sick like dogs and cats.

When birds are unwell, yes veterinary treatment from a knowledgeable veterinarian is so important but that is just a small part of what is needed for a successful outcome, we know birds are fragile and even more so when sick, they require a very intensive nursing protocol to support their recovery such as a warmed temperature controlled cage, medications, fluids, crop feeds 4 or 5 times a day of special formula, and if not done correctly can result in the death of the bird

It is time we recognise the needs of our feathered friends and time we recognise that we need to move into the current times to align care for birds like that with any other pet.

I have been aware of this need for a while, and was made even more aware when the rescue closed, a stark reminder occurred the other day when a bird I know very well was in need of just this kind of care and of courses welcomed him in with open arms.

For us pet bird owners, when your birds unwell, how many of you would like to have the option of a place to provide nursing care, supportive care when unwell instead of having to wing it at home?

The care provided often makes all the difference between the positive and negative outcome! Its something I have wanted to look into doing for a while, a facility dedicated to aftercare nursing and critical care for our pet birds in the time they most need it. Would this be something people would look at?

If I have already done this for your bird you'll know what it entails and I encourage you to share your story below so people understand better what's involved.

A photo of our VIP (Very Important Parrot) that we currently are helping out

07/12/2025

Our permit that was put in place is still active. As we know from the past, over the December and January period, harvesting, mowing of paddocks, and all sorts of activity its not uncommon for hawk nests to be found, we also see a spike in raptor numbers at this time of year. Therefore for just the short period we will be allowing Hawk chicks and owls and owlets, plus Falcons into our car for the period of December till it tapers off in January.

Please before you mow check your paddocks, and should you find a nest, try rebuild it as best as you can, then wait an see if ths parents return, hawks are more vulnerable as they will make a nest in the long grass making them harder to detect.

If you do come accross young hawks in need of help or owls and owlets please feel free to give me a call on 0273091027 if I dont answer a text or facebook message usually gets picked up fairly quickly and we can provide advice on the best course of action.

It is illegal to move these birds from one area to another for care where a facility to care for them already exists, other rescues will have people that will attempt to do this, this is seriously concerning as this delays treatment and the bird where injured is without pain relief, so if another organisation does try to take them for transfer outside of rhe area, please be aware this is illegal and they should be handed over to us as soon as possible, these birds are often injured, dehydrated, suffer crush injuries, emaciated, illnesses such as heavy metal toxicity and grounded, the tine between transfer to us as opposed to facilitys hours away can spell the difference between life and death for these very fragile birds, with 0 garuntee rheybreturn to their home ground in the otago region, some may be kept as educational show pieces and others succumb to the extended journey.

To get then the help they need as fast as possible please call 0273091027 or text/ Facebook message us, place the bird in a padded box in a safe area thats not to cold and wait on a reply, please dont hand them off to random members of the public that dont have the experiance or knowledge to ensure the safety and welfare of the birds

Please share so we can get them where they need to go!!

Our raptors will not go unattended to! Being a area with such a massive population of different raptors I feel its essential we do this to ensure their welfare!

06/11/2025

As many of you are aware, Avian Rescue Otago has now closed after over four years of caring for our native birds. ❤️

We’ve launched a Givealittle fundraiser to help pay off our remaining veterinary bill, which is quite substantial—as you can imagine after years of providing care without government funding. Normally, we manage these costs through small donations over time, but we’re hoping to get everything settled so we can fully close this chapter.

🌿 Alternatively, you can support us by visiting our plant table in front of the rescue. 50 Ventry st. We have a wide range of beautiful native plants for sale, and every donation from plant purchases goes directly toward paying off the vet bill.

Your support means the world to us—thank you for helping us care for Aotearoa’s precious native birds. 🕊️💚

Page to settle Avian Rescue Otago vet bill

06/11/2025

After over 4 years of providing our natives with emergency and critical care, advocating for birds, helping upskill nurses, vets, rehabbers, saving more lives than I can count, its with a very heavy heart I have to announce the closure of Avian Rescue Otago for good.

This decision did not come easily, but made somewhat for us after our new permit was issued, allowing us to only hold, triage and stabilise birds for 48 hours before we have to arrange transportation to a long term care facility. We only found out about this at 5pm tonight, though I had suspicions this would be the case after the last months events.

The conditions in the permit set by Docs permissions seriously affect what we can do, what we can treat and no longer allowing rehabilitation on site despite meeting the necessary criteria. If we dont surrender our previous permit, it will be deemed terminated and the newer one would take its place so our hands are tied in this scenario. Firstly, some of the staff i worked with were amazing so this was not a decision made here, its done through a permissions office in hamilton.

For 4 years we have served the community all voluntary, we didnt get govt funding, grants, we have to pay for any vet care required from our own pockets, leaving us with a lovely vet bill that will take a while to pay off, leaving the area without any avian wildlife services. We are still trying to get our head round the situation, to say its been a crushing blow would be an understatement.

Moving forward all birds found that may need help, call DOC hotline or take them to the nearest veterinary clinic for treatment. Sadly alot of places arent equipped to hold and treat these birds so without our services in the area this will quite possibly mean that birds able to recover, will be euthenaised, the raptors that all suffer heavy metal poisoning will need expensive treatment accessible only in Dunedin now, but they too could be euthenaised or sent to a facility previously linked with an investigation for supplying unlicensed persons, certain small raptors to breed .

With advocating for Rea it seems I may have ruffled a few feathers and this quite possibly has influenced the decision, but that can only be confirmed by Hamilton permissions officer and person involved in what was deemed valid but was suddenly "invalidated" our previous permit just prior to Reas release. For 4 years i have fought tirelessly different organisation's giving a voice to those who didnt have one, sadly now we are closed, who will be ths voice of ths voiceless and vulnerable, who will provide the birds a accurate exam, proper pain medications, who will step forward to strive for higher standard of care in emergencys, to provide the care for natives to often seen as "just a bird"? And who will fight for their best interests, not just financial gain of those who house them

Birds that arent seen as "high" priority will be euthenaised, raptors send out of the area for rehabilitation with no garuntee they will return back to our region! And if they are, who wil be there to ensure they are actually fit for release.

The past 8 months has been hell having to deal with constant "issues" the trust manager would find in an attempt to prevent me getting near Rea, docs lack of support and the issues with our permits taken a huge toll on my health and I have suffered greatly since then.

From now on all bird calls should go through to DOC Hotline and we will be winding down the rescue in the coming days.

Its been such a privilege to work with our wildlife and seeing amazing recovery, creating new protocols to maximize survival rates, but I guess all good things must come to an end, even if it leaves you feeling heartbroken, defeated, cheated, betrayed, and kicked in the guts.

The thought of never getting to release another raptor and that they will suffer greatly without help, and the right avenues arent always taken.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but it is out of our hands. The nursery will still continue to run and will become my primary focus from now on

I know it won't do anything but if shared people can see what we have to go through as unfunded voluntary facilities with no funding or grants for treatment of native birds, this is footed by ths rescues

06/11/2025

More stock on our nursery tables!
Hebes
Native caprosmas
Roses
Kowhai trees assorted
Beech trees assorted
Flax
Grasses,
Totara - matapouri blue, wanaka black and invalid
Rosemary
Lavender
Cookies
Big healthy tomato plants -beefsteak, moneymaker
Vege punnets at $3 ea

Updated to add:
We are located at 50 ventry street Alexandra
With avian rescues closure we will be continuing the nursery which can be followed on facebook

31/10/2025

27/10/2025

Feel free to share, to often our pet birds can miss out on the much needed checks and grooms because of a lack of comprehensive knowledge on how to handle a bird not only safely but with minimal stress and geg things done in a timely manner

***PET BIRD OWNERS***
Due to the difficulty we have foundd that owners have getting simple nail and beak trims done for your feathered friends we are here to help! Whether their nails are over grown, need a touh up, their beak needs a trim or they are post operation or on medication give us a call to see what we can do for you

27/10/2025

Please keep an eye out for our native and protected raptors, and if you find one in need contact us immediately for instructions on what to do next

🌪️ Feathers in the Wind: Native Birds Suffer After Wild Weather Strikes New Zealand

This hurt morepork owl, New Zealand’s only native owl species, is one of many victims of the fierce winds that recently tore through the country. Known in Māori as ruru, these nocturnal guardians of the forest usually remain hidden in the canopy — but after days of extreme gusts and driving rain, many birds were found injured or displaced.

Wild weather events like these remind us how fragile our ecosystems are. Branches snap, nests fall, and exhausted birds are left vulnerable to predators and exposure. Wildlife rescue centres across the country have been working tirelessly to care for native species such as kererū, tūī, and ruru affected by the storm.

If you find an injured bird, keep it warm, quiet, and contact your local wildlife rescue immediately. Every small act of care helps protect the taonga (treasures) that make New Zealand’s forests so special.

26/10/2025

Avian Rescue Otago is a not for profit bird rescue located in Alexandra but we cover a larger area

23/10/2025

***Urgent notice***
Due to the high winds and the rain, please keep a eye out for any natives exhausted or displaced from the nest, if found get them into a box with a towel and a heat pad wrapped in a towel to warm them!

Do not try to feed them, please call, or message us immediately so we can take them in for care and rehabilitation. Do not attempt to raise these by yourself!

Call us on 0273245099 or via messenger if we dont answer. If you have knowledge of nesting natives or swan families please safely use due diligence to ensure they are safe and no babies have been abandoned or lost due to the weather.

Again if you find a native or protected species (including owls and swans/cygnets) in need of help, call us immediately on 027 325 5099 or message the page should the phone not be answered

Avian Rescue Otago is a not for profit bird rescue located in Alexandra but we cover a larger area

21/10/2025

Avian Rescue Otago will be reopening. Our permits been deemed still valid as theres been no violation to and schedule for termination and was perfectly fine.

There will be a few changes. We are focusing on Owls, Falcons, Hawks and swan rehabilitation, however we will still be providing emergency and critical care and critical care nursing for other natives then they will be stabilised and transferred to the appropriate facility.

Ducklings and garden birds/chick's are unable to be taken unfortunately as we are under great financial strain, I am the only nurse so its impossible to keep up with the frequency of feeding chicks, however we are able to take all owls and owlets, Hawks and hawklets plus Falcons.

Where a bird has severe injuries like open fractures please take it to the local veterinary clinic, they can assess and provide pain relief prior to transferring to us, and if needed they sometimes may have to unfortunately be euthenaised due to the degree of damage.

With all the wind you may come across baby's blown out of the nest, should you find a native or protected bird thats been blown out of the nest, please, please contact us so we can get them the proper care they need, we would hate to see a repeat of the 2 wek old hawk chicks that a well meaning person attempted to raise for 2 weeks before bringing them in, but due to inappropriate diet and severe dehydration, they soon became anemic so much so the passed blood, they lacked the cells that carry hemoglobin containing oxygen round the body resulting in severe breathing difficulties and passing just hours after arrival, despite medical intervention. Our phones are back online so please call 0273245099 or message the page

17/10/2025

We have more stock out so come and check it out!
We have:
Pittosporum tenufolium lighten up
Kowhi - Microphyla
Kowhi - Wigie wiggie
Kowhai - limestone
Native Caprosma rugosa
Hebes
Lavender - multiple types
Beech trees assorted
Flax
Miniature roses
Bush roses
Heritage Roses
Rosemary - Assorted kinds
Totara
Vege seedlings at $3 per punnets and tomato plants!
Begonia tuber 5 packs - 10 dollars per 5 pack and much much more! Stop in at 50 ventry street Alexandra and see what you can find

*some heritage roses for sale with more coming along!