An avian flu outbreak has been confirmed at Critteraid, an animal rescue organization located in Summerland, Okanagan. The sanctuary cares for a variety of animals, including cats, dogs, goats, pigs, horses, chickens, and ducks. While many pets are adopted out, the farm animals are permanent residents.

In a recent Facebook post, Critteraid described the situation as one of the most heartbreaking experiences in its history. The organization stated, "Over the past few days, our sanctuary family has been facing one of the most heartbreaking experiences in our history." They are currently dealing with a positive case of H5N1, the strain of avian influenza, and are coordinating with veterinary professionals, federal regulatory authorities, and health divisions.

The team and volunteers expressed their devastation but emphasized their commitment to transparency. They stated, "We are not hiding anything from our community. We are simply trying to move through this with care, accuracy, and integrity, while also supporting our animals and each other."

This outbreak follows a recent incident where the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) culled over 300 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, British Columbia, due to a previous avian influenza outbreak. Supporters of the farm had rallied to donate to its legal battle against the CFIA, but a Supreme Court ruling last week allowed the cull to proceed.

Critteraid acknowledged that they may not be able to answer all inquiries immediately as they navigate this crisis. However, they assured the public of their commitment to openness, stating, "Our commitment to the animals, to transparency, and to this community have not changed and will never change." The organization plans to provide updates as the situation develops.