Ever since Saturday, Aug. 3, Guilford County Animal Services hasn’t been taking in dogs at the animal shelter due to cases of canine parvovirus; however, in some very welcome news, the shelter has announced that it will begin taking dogs again.
The early August suspension of the intake of dogs, which was meant to help contain the spread of the virus, included all strays and owner surrenders.
Effective Wednesday, August 21, Guilford County Animal Services is resuming stray animal intake following recent outbreaks of canine parvovirus – as well as cases of feline panleukopenia virus and ringworm at the shelter – which is officially named the Guilford County Animal Resource Center.
According to a Tuesday, August 20 statement from Animal Services, the highly contagious diseases spread through the shelter by unvaccinated stray animals that were taken in.
Now, however, after implementing numerous safety measures and a deep cleaning of the facility, Animal Services believes the disease problem is in check.
Jorge Ortega, director of Guilford County Animal Services, issued the following statement: “Guilford County Animal Services staff has taken all necessary measures, including quarantining and isolating infected animals and thoroughly cleaning the resource center, to stop the spread of viruses and infections in the shelter. We encourage all pet owners to keep their pets up to date on all vaccines and boosters available as they are the best method to prevent viruses.”
Ortega added that staff is now “confident” the dogs and cats at the shelter are healthy and ready for adoption.
He also encouraged people who aren’t ready to adopt an animal to consider entering the shelter’s “Stray to Foster” program since the shelter is constantly operating at or near capacity.
That “Stray to Foster” program gives families the ability to temporarily foster a stray or surrendered dog or cat. They keep the animal for three days and, during that time, the temporary foster families “advocate for the pet by sharing pictures and information on lost pet websites and social media.”
In some cases, of course, the family ends up adopting the animal.
For foster families, Animal Services provides the necessary resources to take care of the animal, such as crates, food, blankets, and bowls. Those interested in becoming a “Stray to Foster” family can contact the shelter at 336-641-3400 or visit Guilford County’s Animal Services website to learn more about the program.
The Guilford County animal shelter is open Wednesday through Monday from noon to 4 p.m. but is closed on Tuesday.
You can follow Animal Services on Facebook and Instagram for updates regarding the shelter.
In late July and early August, shelter staff discovered cases of canine parvovirus, which is often known simply as “parvo.” It is very contagious and is mainly transmitted through oral or nasal contact with contaminated feces. The disease poses a major threat to dogs and in some cases it can be fatal.
Early symptoms of the disease, according to Animal Services, include lethargy, fever and a loss of appetite by the dog. As the disease progresses, the dog may exhibit “vomiting, severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating.”
Pet owners who believe their dog may be infected are being urged to contact a veterinarian right away since the consequences for the animal can be sudden and dire.
“The virus can spread through direct contact with infected dogs, their feces, or contaminated surfaces such as kennels, food, and water bowls,” a statement from Animal Services noted earlier this month when the outbreak first occurred. “While humans cannot contract parvo from dogs, they can inadvertently transmit the virus to other dogs via clothing, shoes, hands, and other surfaces.”
Animal Services is encouraging all pet owners in the county to establish a relationship with a veterinarian to make sure their pets get all needed vaccinations.
