A quarantine at the Athens-Clarke County Animal Shelter has been extended. According to a release from the county, the dog area at the ACC Animal Services Adoption Center will continue under a precautionary quarantine through Friday, April 7th. Officials closed that portion of the facility after canine parvovirus, or parvo was identified in a dog found dead on March 22, 2023 and a second dog tested positive later.
Parvo is a highly contagious viral illness that affects dogs. It is mainly seen in puppies, who cannot be vaccinated until they are six weeks old, and other unvaccinated dogs. Only Animal Shelter staff and volunteers will be allowed in the dog area until April 8th. No other visitors will be allowed and owner surrenders will not be allowed at this time. Some dogs have been temporarily housed at the Athens-Ben Epps Airport until the shelter reopens. The cat area of the shelter remains open for normal operations.
Animal Shelter staff has continued to consult with the Georgia Department of Agriculture as required and contacted other area facilities that might be affected and Animal Services’ oversight veterinarian since the illness appeared.
The shelter was scheduled to reopen on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.
