Avian Rescue Otago

02/09/2024

And my number 1 partner in crime and all around amazing vet nurse is coming back in 2 weeks! Lily will be here to help with all the weird and wonderful cases and creatures we will be getting in, not to mention all the babies and its the perfect time as we expand our raptor rehabilitation programme. Next time you see me, Lily will be there and not a moment too soon!

01/09/2024

This wee tui was transferred to us after it had been showing signs of paralysis, luckily by the time he reached the rescue and we got him all set up in a cage, gave him food and fluids he was already using his legs again and was also very alert and active to our presence. Day 2 we did a test flight, which he passed with no issues, he had full ability to grip with his feet and had no other injuries so was released, he didn't spend long hanging around and was off out of sight within a few minutes.

If you would like to help us, help them then please think about donating to allow us to continue our work.donation can be made via internet banking:
AR&PS OTAGO
06-0917-0733230-00

01/09/2024

Financially Asa Rescue we are always in the red zone, but now we really need your help! Please if you can spare even the smallest amount every cent helps. Currently a majority of the bills are coming out of my pocket to keep things afloat, over 600ndollars a month alone goes into our vet account, that doest include the fuel, food, fluids, catheters etc so please if you can donate to help us jelp them!

With the current pindone drops occurring around wanaka, the local raptors are at a high risk of secondary poisoning due to ingestion of contaminated carcasses. The species affected are owls (less commonly) hawks and falcons. In the past there have been instances of kaka ingesting baited items if food leading to them requiring emergency treatment.

Birds with secondary poisoning will be wobbly, unable to fly, often standing with their head down and their wings drooping, as time progresses they will begin to suffer seizures followed by death, this horrible process can take up to 3 days to start after ingesting affected carcasses.

If you come across a bird you suspects been poisoned, please stop and give us a call for further instruction. Where your confident in doing so, approach the bird and using a sweatshirt, jacket, blanket or towel and drop it over the bird, securing the wings pick up the bird and with 1 hand secure the legs so they can't grab you. Keep the birds head covered until you can place it into a box, in a secure dark, quiet warm area and we will organise for the bird to be transferred to the rescue for treatment, with this, time is of the essence so the sooner we recieve the bird the sooner we can start treatment.

We can be reached via our Facebook messenger or by phone on 027 324 5099 24/7

28/08/2024

https://youtu.be/qFMC2z6kCTs?si=1Nw7jE0NPOjRONwS&sfnsn=mo

For this Vet Nurse Awareness Month (VNAM), IVC Evidensia have produced a video celebrating vet nurses and the varied roles that they take on during their car...

28/08/2024

Anyone traveling through tuatapere to Alexandra or even half way or the surround of Alex please get in touch asap we have a patient that need to be admitted for Specialist care, if. You can please PM us

27/08/2024

I watched someone’s pet take their last breath. Then I went into the next room with a smile. I didn’t want to, but I did it anyway.

I finished performing CPR on a kitten that didn’t make it. Then I had to tell the owner. I didn’t want to, but I did it anyway.

I hugged someone as they picked up their pet’s ashes. Then I had to answer the phone with a welcoming voice. I didn’t want to, but I did it anyway.

I got yelled at by a pet owner over the phone for being too expensive. Then I had to empathetically take payment from someone who was sending their pet across the rainbow bridge. I didn’t want to, but I did it anyway.

I bagged someone’s pet they would’ve paid anything to save. Then I had to go be empathetic as someone’s pet that could be saved wasn’t due to finances. I didn’t want to, but I did it anyway.

I cried in the bathroom during the 5 minutes I had between appointments. Then I had to go into the next room where an animal was neglected. I didn’t want to, but I did it anyway.

I watched an owner decline treatment for a fatal complication and take their pet home. Then I had to go to the next room like nothing happened. I didn’t want to, but I did it anyway.

I spent all day caring for other people’s pets. Then I had to go home and take care of mine. I didn’t want to but I did it anyway.

In veterinary medicine we don’t have choices. We have things we surely don’t want to do, but we do it anyway. Part of it because of our “end suffering” oath and part of it because it’s in our nature. One thing I can tell you is none of it is easy and damn sure isn’t because we “want” to. Yes, the small percentage of good outcomes outweigh the larger percentage of bad. But the good never stays with us. It’s the bad that forever damages our souls.

So the next time you think “they’re only in it for the money” or “they don’t care about animals” please remember not all of our smiles are real. Not all of our laughs are genuine. We do it because we have no choice. Half of the days we fake it to make it to the end. Our minds are tired and our hearts are heavy, but no matter what we will do it anyway 🤍

27/08/2024

New give a little going straight to our raptor care. We are getting desperate for pay our vet bills and update our stand by life saving care for our local raptors. We arent a government funded rescues, it all comes out of our pockets and your donation. I currently pay 150 dollars a week to the vets to keep our account down. Please if you can donate no matter how big or small It's greatly appreciated

Avian Rescue otago

21/08/2024

Let's unite and give back! Our beloved Harrier Hawks need our help, and so do our dedicated rescuers. We can lighten their burden by sharing the cost of supplies, ensuring our community remains strong and supported.

Native bird rescue, rebilitation and parrot sanctuary

20/08/2024

With the current pindone drops occurring around wanaka, the local raptors are at a high risk of secondary poisoning due to ingestion of contaminated carcasses. The species affected are owls (less commonly) hawks and falcons. In the past there have been instances of kaka ingesting baited items if food leading to them requiring emergency treatment.

Birds with secondary poisoning will be wobbly, unable to fly, often standing with their head down and their wings drooping, as time progresses they will begin to suffer seizures followed by death, this horrible process can take up to 3 days to start after ingesting affected carcasses.

If you come across a bird you suspects been poisoned, please stop and give us a call for further instruction. Where your confident in doing so, approach the bird and using a sweatshirt, jacket, blanket or towel and drop it over the bird, securing the wings pick up the bird and with 1 hand secure the legs so they can't grab you. Keep the birds head covered until you can place it into a box, in a secure dark, quiet warm area and we will organise for the bird to be transferred to the rescue for treatment, with this, time is of the essence so the sooner we recieve the bird the sooner we can start treatment.

We can be reached via our Facebook messenger or by phone on 027 324 5099 24/7

12/08/2024

The Juvinile goose that was bought in with its wing hanging off ans suffering multiple breaks has been doing well, it will undergo surgery in the coming days for a full subscapular disarticulation (amputation of the entire wing ) which will prevent infection and prevent pain, she will then return to the rescue for round the clock care by our Avian Nurse to ensure her recovery goes as smooth as possible and to ensure she is in no pain or discomfort.

While in care she's been eating like a champ, any greens, she's there and mowing them back, she also loves swimming in her pool, this is important to keep her waterproofed and also give her time to preen.

So far her surgery is going to cost a few hundred dollars and will be done by one of the amazing veterinarians down south who has experience in dealing with and operating on birds. After fully healing, a suitable home will be sought for this beautiful wee goose.

If you can contribute towards the surgery, big or small please consider donating via online banking
AR&PS OTAGO
06-0917-0733230-00

10/08/2024

Yesterday we recieved a call from a member of the public in wanaka, while kayaking, the spotted this precious little goose on the riverbank dragging its wing, she managed to catch it and with it in her Kayak bought it down to her vehicle. When the little one arrived at the rescue its wing was totally destroyed, it had twisted on itself multiple times cutting off the blood supply and the nerve supply resulting in the wing becoming necrotic, hanging on by just a small chunk of skin.

The goose was also severely dehydrated, underweight and showing signs that the necrotic wing was beginning to cause an overwhelming infection. Luckily the smalll portion of skin keeping the necrotic portion atta he'd was easily surgically removed, a IV was placed and fluids given from help rehydrate and Was placed in a ICU to recover. After a email we Had her booked in to have the remainder of the wing amputated, meanwhile Antibiotics were given along with pain relief, she was fed by a tube fed down her oesophagus into her crop and a special high calorie recovery formula was given along with more fluids tonight. Her wing amputation will cost a few hundred dollars by how could we not try, just look at those eyes 😍

If you would like to contribute to this gorgeous wee ones care then please consider donating, big or small it all helps!! This can be done via internet banking
AR&PS OTAGO
06-0917-0733230-00

09/08/2024

We have had some questions about how the give a little works.

The money that gets donated gets passed to the rescue at the end of every month. So the money that is showing has mostly been paid out already. We have use to cover costs of running the rescue. It shows the overall total of money donated.

Every year the cost of running the rescue is in the tens of thousands. We appreciate every dollar donated.

08/08/2024

Brace yourselves, big vet bills are coming! Let's raise funds for our feathery friends with our give-a-little.

Native bird rescue, rebilitation and parrot sanctuary

07/08/2024

We're limping through winter like a penguin on rollerblades. Help us fill up our gas tanks and collect our natives birds when we get your messages or phone calls, consider donating big or small to our give a little.

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/avian-rescue-otago-3

06/08/2024

With the colder weather we have been experiencing quite the influx of patients, a majority beingbraptors like hawks, falcon and owls. At this time of year alot of the hawks recieved have been suffering heavy metal toxicity, vehicle strikes or emaciation.

These birds can be severely unwell showing symptoms such as paralysis, weakness and inability to fly. If you do come across a bird in neednof help please call ASAP, the sooner they get to the rescue the higher the chances of survival, under no circumstances are these birds to be given water by mouth or food, this can lead to aspiration and digestive issues

Please call Avian Rescue Otago/Raptor Rehab HQ NZ for further instructions on what to do, you can reach us via our phone 027 324 5099 or via private messenger, the sooner the more likely the chances of survival and successful recovery

01/08/2024

Still running our give a little. Trying to keep our patients nice and warm. Every little bit helps.

Native bird rescue, rebilitation and parrot sanctuary

31/07/2024

Yes we are still about, we been busy feilding calls, collecting patients, giving out advice. Alan been extremely busy behind the scenes often running on empty.

We like to remind everyone while birds are at the forefront of the rescue we rely on donations to run. We appreciate and thank everyone who has donated big or small. Our give a little still running. And we have our bank account available in our about section.

Roll on summer

21/07/2024

Please keep an eye out when your out walking along the bannockburn walking track towards panners bar, we have had 2 harrier hawks found with lead toxicity at the same time in the same area, it's especially prevelant at the moment, if you spot a falxon or hawk sitting on its hocks, unable to fly or have a lack of balance please don't leave the bird, gather them in a jersey, towel or blanket and place them in a box before calling us ASAP, a number have seizures aswell so it's imperative we get them in as soon as

19/07/2024

We will be coming into duckling season soon and this year we feel we will not have the capacity to take on ducklings as we have in the past

Last season we had over 300 ducklings enter and very limited funds to cover and it mostly fell onto our volunteer to raise them.

We will be looking to play pass the parcel with ducklings. This means we are happy to take them in for a few days and then pass them along to volunteers to raise.

Usually around 5 weeks per group. Every group would consist of at least 6 or more ducklings.

If this sounds like you or a project you would like to undertake please get in contact. It may take some time to organize or I might start a duckling group and have it there.

This is not really suitable for children who want to cuddle and hold ducklings as we try to have a hands off policy to give them the best success in the wild. But can be suitable for some children and teen baring in mind we don't over handle.

https://www.facebook.com/share/u846LY2vEkdT9tPg/?mibextid=A7sQZp

14/07/2024

Yes we have been a little quiet online but still very busy behind the scenes making sure our residents are all keeping well.

Minus 5 this morning means that we are making sure everyone is warm and safe.

Winter is always a tough time for us as we do do rescues in the cold.

03/07/2024

Over the coming weeks there will be some exciting changes to Avian Rescue Otago, nor so much changes but an addition to our current services allowing us to bring Specialist care, treatment, nursing and rehab to a select few species! We will update as progress continues!

03/07/2024

Potential hawk with injury/heavy metal toxicity in the reserve near Albert Town Bridge Reserve area please keep a look out and if found contact us immediately on on 027 324 5099

02/07/2024

Amazing release of the falcon today. We are only able to continue doing this work with everyone's support.

Please consider donating to our give a little or sharing it to help us further.

Native bird rescue, rebilitation and parrot sanctuary

02/07/2024

Thursday 13th of June, Rata the native falxon was dropped at the rescue after being found face down on the ground unablebto move, she was bought into the rescue for assessment, she was suffering total paralysis, dehydration and low bodyweight, whe also had signs of heavy metal toxicity.

Immediately after assessment she had a IV catheter placed in her leg to deliver and the antidote that binds heavy metals in the body to be excreted via the kidneys, her fluid rate was higher than normal as we wanted to protect her kidneys. She was connected to a syringe pump that delivers fluid intonthe IV Catheter continually so we could give additional to give meds and and other products needed while Sustaining hydration. Forb5 days she recieved chelation therapy 2x a day after which she was placed in out larger aviary as her symptoms had dissipated and she was doing well.today she got her day of freedom after her stint in captivity, she didn't even look back as the took off from the transport box.

This year alone we have succefilly rehabilitated and released 4 native falcons!

Please help support our work so we can help them and other natives in need by donating to our give a little https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/avian-rescue-otago-3
Or directly adonate via online banking
AR&PS OTAGO
06-0917-0733230-00