ELORA, ON (June 1, 2018) – The Guelph Humane Society (GHS) was called by a community member about an ill and disorientated skunk in their neighbourhood. GHS immediately responded to the call to secure the skunk, which later tested positive for the rabies virus. Please see more information from Public Health’s press release in regard to the impact of rabies on wildlife and more information about human interaction with wildlife, here.
We are proud to partner with the Township of Centre Wellington to be their animal services provider, ensuring all sick, injured, and/or orphaned wildlife are handled appropriately and safely by our highly-trained animal protection officers. Residents are encouraged to call GHS instead of handling wild animals, as it is a risk to their safety.
This particular case also highlights the importance of GHS’s involvement in the rabies surveillance monitoring program, provided by the MNR, which helps detect the rabies virus within animals directly in the communities in which we serve, including Centre Wellington, Guelph, and Guelph/Eramosa.
“Our [GHS’s] animal protection officers are vaccinated appropriately, trained, and equipped to handle wildlife,” says Adrienne McBride, Executive Director. “We are here to help our community, as it is so important to keep public safety and animal welfare a top priority.”
We would like to remind the community that if you see a sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife we are here to help you!
- Do not approach or come in contact with the animal.
- Call GHS immediately. We will assess the situation and send an animal protection officer.
- Monitor the animal – from a distance! Ensure no one else goes near the animal and let the animal protection officer know of the animal’s where-a-bouts.
To keep up to date on wildlife information, follow us on Facebook for “Wildlife Wednesdays” or on our website.
ABOUT THE Guelph Humane Society:
The Guelph Humane Society advocates for all animals, and in particular those animals whose lives we can influence, through care, education, community support, protection, and leadership. Founded in 1893, the Guelph Humane Society provides care and shelter for approximately 3,000 homeless, stray, injured and abused animals each year. GHS is a registered charitable, non-profit organization that does not receive government funding. Visit www.guelphhumane.ca to discover more.
Contact: Adrienne McBride, Executive Director
519-824-3091
ed@guelphhumane.ca