A-CC Animal Adoption Center is closed

The dog area at the Athens-Clarke County Animal Services’ Adoption Center is closed through at least August 4 after a confirmation of a case parvovirus was identified in a stray dog.

From the Athens-Clarke Co government website...

The dog area of the Athens-Clarke County Animal Services Adoption Center is closed to the public and under quarantine until at least August 4, 2021 due to an identified positive canine parvovirus case.

Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious and relatively common cause of gastrointestinal illness in young and unvaccinated dogs. A stray dog picked up on July 16 began showing symptoms of parvovirus on July 20 and was taken to a local veterinarian for treatment in their isolation unit.

Due to the positive result, Animal Services will not release or accept any dogs at the center until at least August 4. This date is subject to change if additional symptoms or positive cases are found in dogs currently in the center. This will also allow the dog area to be thoroughly sanitized.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure that we do not have any more animals affected,” says Animal Services Director Kristall Barber, “and to ensure that we are thoroughly sanitized and ready to reopen for our volunteers and the public.”

Dogs that come through the Adoption Center are vaccinated on intake or soon thereafter. However, dogs that were previously unvaccinated or beyond their vaccination’s effectiveness may be susceptible to illnesses until they build up immunity through the new vaccination.

The quarantine procedures are based on Animal Services’ standard operating procedures and follow Georgia Department of Agriculture guidelines. Animal Services is working with partner organizations to provide for additional emergency dog intakes while the adoption center is closed.

Although the cat area of the Adoption Center will remain open for intake and release of cats, volunteers will also not be allowed into the cat area until the week of July 26 to minimize foot traffic at the center.

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