Risk Assessment Information

DISCLAIMER: Please note that we cannot ensure that any bird will not be killed by the CDFA or the USDA. They are the folks with the ultimate control over this matter and we have no power to control them. All we can do is provide information that you may be able to use to help keep your bird(s) alive.

If you do nothing, your birds may be KILLED! The Task Force people standing at your door CANNOT help you on this. You MUST follow these procedures. Be certain that you have instituted and follow rigorous biosecurity procedures. See our Main END Page under "Precautions for Bird Owners" and our Biosecurity Link for more information on establishing biosecurity.


Information has been received that would indicate that the only thing that can be appealed about quarantine Notices is an issue of whether or not you are within one kilometer of a suspected or documented case of END. It appears that if you are within one kilometer of a recorded case, then you will be placed under quarantine and the quarantine will not be lifted until it has been determined that the requirements are met to release the entire neighborhood from quarantine. It appears that the Task Force will randomly pick a couple of other properties within the quarantine area and test for END. If the test should come back positive on any of those birds, the quarantined area is expanded (based on the one kilometer radius) and birds in the immediate area are depopulated. Based on this information, you can still appeal the quarantine, but it is not likely that you will prevail as the policy is to quarantine all properties that have birds within the specified radius.
Information has also been received that since the CDFA policies have been changed, there may be no further reversals on kill Notice appeals, with the exception being a Risk Assessment. The Risk Assessment will be performed by the Task Force and they will make the sole determination of if you fit the requirements to be considered for the "caged bird policy" as provided in the updated CDFA policies. In theory, you will be notified in advance of the fact that your property is scheduled to be depopulated. You will need to request a Risk Assessment before the Task force arrives to kill the bird(s). This is where establishing biosecurity even before you get a quarantine Notice could play a big factor in showing that your bird(s) are at minimal risk. If your premise fits the requirements, you will be required to sign the Compliance Agreement when it is afforded to you. If you do not meet the criteria your birds may be killed.

If you are following good biosecurity, however, we do suggest that you attempt to be considered for a Risk Assessment if your bird(s) are healthy and you have them secure on your property by the use of a fence to keep them in and other bird(s) out.
If you are given the option of signing the Compliance Agreement, you do need to read it agreement carefully and understand that you are signing all rights to the bird(s) over to the California State Veterinarian. They can either home quarantine your bird(s) or remove them to a quarantine station, at their sole discretion. If they remove the birds, the State Veterinarian does not have to communicate anything further with you on the status of the bird. It is being assumed that you will likely end up waiting in limbo with no information on what is happening unless the vet sees fit to communicate something to you.
As poor as the Risk Assessement option sounds, it appears to be the only option available to not have your birds killed without testing. We have seen it stated that the CDFA will pay for the testing, although this seems to be in direct conflict with the posted policies that indicate that the owner must pay for the testing. Please note that it also appears that there is no legal recourse available to you once you have signed the Compliance Agreement.


FIRST - Read one of these thoroughly to see if you qualify for a Risk Assessment:
Pages on our Site:
CDFA Policy - PDF Format
CDFA Policy on Pet and Exotic Birds Housed in Cages within Enclosed Structures


CDFA Policy - Text Format
CDFA Policy on Pet and Exotic Birds Housed in Cages within Enclosed Structures


On the CDFA Site:
CDFA Policy - PDF Format
CDFA Policy on Pet and Exotic Birds Housed in Cages within Enclosed Structures


NEXT - Call Applicable Number for Your County:

Call Number for Your County and tell the person who answers that you are calling for a Risk Assessment. Be sure to get the name of the person you are talking to and ask who their supervisor is. This is for insurance that your message is being taken down and passed on. Be sure to specify that you need IMMEDIATE contact. If no one returns your call in 6 hours, CALL BACK again. Do not wait any longer than that! Be prepared with the information you need to discuss in regard to "FIRST" as shown above.

Call - Applicable numbers to call

Incident Command Centers:
South Coast                                                                Call 1-800-491-1899
(Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties)

Inland Desert                                                               Call 1-800-491-1899
(Imperial, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties)

Central California (All Counties Not Listed Above)           Call 209-558-5867
Permits and Compliance Agreements                                      Call 1-866-214-7079

For General Info Only or to Report Sick Birds                           Call 1-800-481-1899




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