An animal sanctuary in B.C.’s interior says it is facing a “heartbreaking” experience after discovering a positive case of H5N1, also known as avian flu.
Critteraid took to social media on Nov. 7, saying its volunteers are “devastated” by the discovery of avian flu at their facility.
“The animals in our care are the centre of everything we do and the emotional weight of this moment is immense,” the organization said on Facebook.
The sanctuary, which is based in Summerland, confirmed to Global News on Monday that 10 chickens have died and that all 10 were sick and showing symptoms of avian flu.
Out of the 10, two had to be euthanized.
In addition, Critteraid said it had to euthanize five ducks as well.
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“We were given the choice to do it ourselves or have (the CFIA) disposal team do it,” Lori Stewart, the Critteraid Board president, said.
“And we made the choice that to ensure our policies of compassion were upheld and they deserve that dignity, that we did it ourselves.”
Critteraid also said that 12 volunteers were exposed to avian flu, but Interior Health tested all of them and cleared all 12.
“We’ve never had to navigate anything like this. So the past 15 days has been excruciating, extraordinarily difficult,” Stewart added.
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“We are under investigation at the moment, and so our quarantine is in full place, and we are at the point where we’re doing decontamination.”
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Critteraid says on its website that it provides a home for a variety of rescue animals, including house pets, barnyard animals such as pigs, goats and cows, as well as ducks and chickens.
Fifty-four animals are listed in total.
The situation has required “immediate action” and “coordination” with Interior Health, veterinary professionals and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the organization promises to handle the situation with transparency and accuracy.
“We want to be very clear: we are not hiding anything from the community,” the post says on Facebook. “We are simply trying to move through this with care, accuracy, and integrity while also supporting our animals and each other.”
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The post goes on to say that staff and volunteers are “simply consumed with this horror” and that the “situation is still active and regulated.”
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In a statement to Global News, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed that “Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was detected at BC-IP252, a non-commercial, non-poultry premises in the District of Summerland on October 30, 2025.
“The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) works directly with owners to help explain next steps for any exposed birds and any requirements an owner must fulfill when a premises is declared to be infected with avian influenza.
“The CFIA is not releasing additional details to help protect the privacy of the sanctuary staff and volunteers who are dealing with a significant setback.”
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The announcement comes shortly after the cull and disposal of what CFIA says were 314 ostriches at Universal Ostrich farm near Edgewood, B.C.
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Critteraid has asked for patience and understanding at this time.
“If you need to reach us, please do so with kindness,” the post says. “Our fragile hearts are fragile right now.”
-with files from The Canadian Press
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.