Fresh Start Services

25/02/2025

ATTENTION SWAN FOLKS: We are aware and checking in on the swan at the Harwich Reservoir/Bells Neck.

PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE SWAN! This is per the Wildcare staff who has been out to observe the swan. This animal has very quickly become dependent on humans which endangers our wildlife. Every time a vehicle or person is in this area, the swan comes up expecting food. This puts this animal at HIGH RISK of being killed by predators and also makes them dependent on humans for food and can cause aggression towards humans who do not feed it.

It is also important to remind folks we are seeing a lot of birds with Highly Parthenogenic Avian Influenza. This swan is not showing symptoms, but please remember that not all animals are symptomatic, so it is important to keep your distance from all birds unless you are in proper PPE.

The swan is being checked on. Wildcare feels this swan does not need human interference at this time, so we ask that you keep your distance and do not feed the animal. Thank you

25/02/2025

Avian Influenza or the Bird Flu. We have been receiving calls regarding deceased birds in Dennis. Hopefully this will answer a few questions and some steps that you should take.

How does it present in birds?

Symptoms observed have been the following:
• Lethargy
• Seizing
• Corneal opacity (milky eyes)
• GI distress
• Respiratory distress
• Sudden death

*Not all birds show symptoms! Waterfowl (particularly ducks) may be asymptomatic carriers up to 50% of the time.*

Who to contact if you come across sick/deceased/injured wildlife:

- Dennis Natural Resources: 508-760-6123

- Cape Wildlife Center: 508-362-0111 (for all species including rabies vector animals)

- Wild Care Cape Cod: 508-240-2255 (no rabies vector animals)

Please note, Dennis Natural Resources and Dennis Animal Control do NOT pick up deceased wildlife off of private property. If you find a deceased bird on your property, it is recommeneded to wear gloves (disposable), a mask (N95 if possbile), tyvec suit (coveralls, disposable/washable), and goggles (or face shield.) Wearing the proper PPE, you can put the bird into a garbage bag and dispose of it. It is also recommeneded to double bag and tie bags tightly.

If you have sick/injured/strange acting wildlife on your property, Dennis Natural Resources should be contacted, and when an Officer is available, they will be dispatched. If after hours, contact the Dennis Police non-emergency line at 508-394-1315.

Precautions you should be taking:

- Keep your cats indoors to avoid transmission from birds to cats
- Keep dogs LEASHED and away from any injured/sick/deceased wildlife
- Avoid handling sick or deceased wildlife
- Do not feed wild birds
- Increase bio-security for backyard flocks (foot baths, PPE, cover runs, no free ranging during outbreak, do not share tools or gear between locations)

Below are a few links with more information --

- About Avian Influenza: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/avian-influenza?_gl=1*1sgnybh*_ga*MTk1NzM2ODkzNS4xNzI2MDcyNTIz*_ga_MCLPEGW7WM*MTc0MDMxOTU3My44LjAuMTc0MDMxOTU3My4wLjAuMA..

- Bird Flu CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html

- Avian Flu Widespread on Cape Cod, Barnstable County's Contract Epidemiologist Lea Hamner: https://www.capecod.gov/2025/02/12/lower-cape-tv-avian-flu-widespread-on-cape-cod-what-to-know/

- Avian Influenza in cats: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-health/avian-influenza/avian-influenza-h5n1-cats

- Reporting sick or deceased domestic polutry: https://www.mass.gov/forms/poultry-disease-reporting-form

- Reporting sick or deceased wild birds (5 or more at a single location): https://www.mass.gov/forms/report-observations-of-dead-wild-birds

Thank you.

24/02/2025

Good morning everyone! I am back from vacation as of today!

14/02/2025

Happy Valentine’s Day!

12/02/2025

💯

ARE YOU WORTH COMING BACK TO?

I’m often horrified when I watch people trying to get their dogs to come back to them when they call.

They call and call and get increasingly angry and frustrated as their dog keeps ignoring them.

When their dog eventually comes back, or has been chased and "captured” by the now really angry person, they get screamed at, yanked about, or punished in some way for taking so long and not listening.

Why on earth would a dog want to return to someone who does this to them!

The most common reason dogs don’t come back when we call is because it’s not a positive experience.

A new environment is generally far more rewarding, stimulating and exciting than coming back to us.
An exciting scent or seeing something to chase can all override a response to recall.

Make coming back to you well worth it by always making it a rewarding experience and keep practicing this throughout a dog’s life.

Have a little patience if it takes longer than you would like, let your dog finish what they’re doing before calling them, practice in different locations and environments and never reprimand or punish them for coming back.

There is never a guarantee of a perfect recall each and every time, but making it a rewarding experience will greatly improve the rate of success.

12/02/2025

12/02/2025

⚠️ Microchip advisory

Save This Life, a microchip company, has shut down and it’s being reported that they’ve unlinked their database from national registries.

Animals with Save This Life microchips can likely not be tracked by their microchip due to this closure.

How to check what company your pet’s microchip is registered to: https://loom.ly/MBmFGtg

Microchip company options to register chips:

HomeAgain - www.homeagain.com

PetLink/DataMars - www.petlink.net

AKC Reunite - www.akcreunite.org

05/02/2025

Missing pupperino!

UPDATE: Archie is back home safe!!

MISSING: Archie ran off when the clasp to his run broke. Archie is missing from Harding Lane in Harwich, but does live in Dennis. Archie is friendly. If you see Archie, please call the non-emergency police 508-430-7541 ext. 1 for dispatch.

05/02/2025

PUP Up time!

04/02/2025

AVIAN FLU UPDATE for HARWICH: We are aware of the dead birds at Red River Beach, Stone Horse Yacht Club/Wychmere Beach and the swans at West Reservoir in Bells Neck. This has been reported to the State and we are waiting on answers as to what they want to do.

IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU KEEP YOUR DOGS ON LEASH IN ALL BEACH AREAS AT THIS TIME-THIS IS FOR YOUR PETS SAFETY!

At this time the state only wants reports of 5 or more deceased wild birds. If you do see 5 or more in one area, you can report online https://www.mass.gov/forms/report-observations-of-dead-wild-birds

04/02/2025

Missing in Harwich!

UPDATE: HOME SAFE! We love a quick return!

MISSING: 2 year old, neutered male, black and white, Great Pyrenees "Bam Bam" missing from Stephen Hopkins Rd in Harwich. If seen please call the non-emergency dispatch 508-430-7541 ext. 1 for dispatch. Bam Bam is friendly, but may be nervous, PLEASE DO NOT CHASE!!

04/02/2025

🎶 Do you wanna build a snowm….. 🎶

Oh

27/01/2025

Harwich

This coyote has mange, the good news is that it is treatable. If you’re in Harwich and see her be sure to call it in!

We are aware of this poor coyote who’s been seen in Harwich over the last few days. Please call any sightings into Harwich Animal Controls direct line 508-310-4424. We will be working with the Cape Wildlife Center to try and get this coyote to them and treated. Please DO NOT attempt to catch this coyote, Do NOT feed him/her. Please keep your distance and call in sightings.

27/01/2025

Reminder for Dennis!

23/01/2025

That’s about right! 😂😂😂

22/01/2025

Check it out!

We have something FUN, EDUCATIONAL & EXCITING coming up!! Come join us for a fun night of Pet Trivia on February 11th!! Trivia will include some great winter health tips for your pets, training tips, winter activities to do with your pets and so much more!! We will also have some fun giveaways!! This is a FREE event and all are welcome! Folks seem to be having a hard time seeing it on the flyer: this will be at the Harwich Community Center 😊