Raleigh, North Carolina — An outbreak of canine influenza has killed three dogs at the Wake County Animal Center and forced the shelter to close to the public for more than a month.
In response to the recent outbreak of canine influenza, the shelter will be closed for at least 35 days starting Friday, October 6, to prevent the spread of the disease.
“No animals are allowed into this facility during the lockdown,” Jennifer Federico said. D.V.M.said Wake County Animal Center Director.
The center will no longer accept animals and other services will be suspended to prevent new infections. Currently, 435 animals are being cared for between the shelter and her foster homes.
“As our community is well aware, the number of pets coming to us has exceeded the capacity of our shelters for over a year now. – tons of dogs living together in one space – it’s the perfect breeding ground for a virus like this,” Wake County Commissioner Cheryl Stallings said. “Animal center staff are working overtime to isolate, treat, and care for these pets, but in order to do that most efficiently, we must temporarily close. It’s not a decision to make lightly.”
As of Friday, approximately 61 dogs have been diagnosed with upper respiratory infections since Sept. 15. According to the center, the number is unusually high.
“Unfortunately, this infection is spreading rapidly, and many dogs have no immunity to this infection,” Federico said. “It’s not something that many people will take the vaccine for.”
Cases of canine influenza are on the rise across North Carolina, and veterinarians are reporting that many dogs are contracting the respiratory illness after staying in boarding or day care facilities.
Veterinarian Dr. Bradley Krohn told us some warning signs to look out for when checking your dog for illness. Data shows that canine influenza typically occurs in late fall and early winter.
“This is the equivalent of a dog’s cough or nasal discharge,” Krohn said. “These are certainly some big signs that we’re seeing. As dogs become more infected and sicker, they can develop fevers and fatigue, and pets may stop feeding.”
Most dogs recover in two to three weeks, but dogs can go from asymptomatic to experiencing secondary infections that can lead to pneumonia and even death. The virus is spread through droplets from dogs’ coughs and sneezes, and in some cases cats can be infected.
As staff work over the next month to isolate, treat, and care for affected animals at the shelter, WCAC will see some services impacted, including:
- Adoption: All pet adoptions, including dogs, cats, and other small animals, are suspended. This means October’s Pit Bull Adoption Special has been canceled.
- Community Pet Day: Community Pet Day has also been cancelled.
- Surrender: Wake County Animal Center will not be allowing owners to surrender their animals during this closure. Anyone who plans to surrender their pet will receive a notice of cancellation.
- Animal control: All five animal control agencies in the county (Wake County, Raleigh, Cary, Garner and Holly Springs) will continue to respond to animal emergency calls, but will no longer be picking up stray dogs or owners on-site.
- Animal bite: Animal centers often isolate pets after a bite incident, but at this time these animals must instead be isolated at a veterinary office or private residence.
