The ACCGov Animal Services Department at 125 Buddy Christian Way will not accept owner-surrendered dogs for intake until Tuesday, July 23, due to two confirmed cases of canine parvovirus and space constraints. The puppy area will also be closed to visitors during this time, and some dogs in affected spaces may not be available for adoption until then.
Stray dog intakes and owner reclaims of dogs, as well as cat adoptions and all cat intakes, will continue as normal due to separated areas at the facility.
Canine parvovirus, or parvo, is a highly contagious virus that can affect all dogs, although unvaccinated dogs and puppies younger than four months old are the most at risk.
“Our facility and animal shelters all over the country face the same challenges with animal viruses due to the numbers of stray and community animals that come through them,” says Animal Services Director Kristall Barber. “Most of the time, these viruses are already present in animals prior to their arrival at the shelter, but symptoms and positive results don’t occur until after an incubation period and often not until they’ve been here a few days.”
Until July 23, Animal Services will limit dog intakes to stray dogs only due to space constraints. Residents seeking to surrender dogs before July 23 should contact Animal Services by phone at 706-613-3540 for advice.
General dog adoptions and owner reclaims of dogs will continue, although some dogs in affected areas may not be available for adoption until July 23. Owners reclaiming dogs and residents adopting dogs will be advised of the presence of parvo elsewhere in the facility and to contact their vet immediately if their dog starts to show signs of illness.
The two puppies tested positive on July 8, several days after intake and after two earlier negative tests. Animal Services contacted the Georgia Department of Agriculture and reported the results as required. The puppies are not in the main temporary housing area but in other areas of the facility.
Animal Shelter staff are continuing specialized cleaning processes to help minimize the spread of the virus. These steps are being taken to prevent accidental exposure to the virus for dogs outside of these shelter areas through dog or human contact.
Animal Services staff has consulted with the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Animal Protection Division, which regulates and licenses animal shelters, contacted other area facilities that might be affected, and worked with Animal Services’ oversight veterinarian since the illness appeared.
“Thanks to our shelter’s layout, testing capabilities, cleaning protocols, and department policies, we can often minimize the impacts when a positive case occurs, but some operations do have to change temporarily when cases occur,” said Barber.
The ACCGov Animal Services Adoption Center’s normal hours are Monday through Saturday from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM for stray intakes, reclaims, walkthroughs, and adoptions; and Sunday from Noon – 3:00 PM for stray intakes, reclaims, and scheduled adoption appointments.