The Athens-Clarke County Animal Services Department is has stopped accepting cats temporarily.
The facility is not accepting owner-surrendered cats due to confirmed cases of feline panleukopenia, also called pan leuk, FP, or feline parvo. The virus is a highly contagious illness which affects cats, mainly kittens too young for vaccinations, and as well as other unvaccinated cats. It has a high mortality rate. The shelter is expected began accepting surrendered cats again on July 10th. Contact Animals Services for assistance at 706-613-3540.
The dog area of the shelter will remain open for normal operations.
Two litters of kittens tested positive on June 25, 2023, for the feline panleukopenia virus. Animal Services contacted the Georgia Department of Agriculture and reported the results as required. The kittens were located in the sick cat room and kitten room. As a result, these two rooms will be under quarantine until July 10, 2023 and open to staff members only.
Animal Shelter staff are continuing to undergo specialized cleaning processes to help minimize the spread of the virus. These steps are being taken to prevent accidental exposure to the virus for cats outside of these shelter areas through dog or human contact.
Owner reclaims of cats will continue, although owners will be advised of a potential exposure to panleukopenia and to contact their vet immediately if their cat starts to act ill. Cat adoptions will also continue in the cat adoption area.
