The Athens-Clarke County Animal Shelter is not accepting any cats until Saturday, July 20 due to two confirmed cases of feline panleukopenia.
The disease is also called feline distemper or feline parv. FP is a highly contagious virus among unvaccinated cats that is common in the wild and has a high mortality rate, especially among kittens.
Only staff will be allowed in the cat area until the 20th, no volunteers or visitors will be able to enter. The dog area of the shelter will remain open for normal operations. The disease does not affect dogs or humans, but the facility is adopting the measures in order to prevent cats outside the shelter from accidental exposure through human contact.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture's Animal Protection Division, which regulates and licenses animal shelters, has concurred with the steps being taken.
Residents seeking to surrender cats prior to July 20 should contact the Animal Shelter by phone for advice.
For more information, including updated an updated list of adoptable pets and volunteer opportunities, visit www.accgov.com/animalshelter, or call 706-613-3540.
The ACC Animal Control Division of the Central Services Department operates the animal shelter. The hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Sunday from noon - 4:00 p.m.; and Wednesday by appointment only.