Columbia Animal Shelter Halts New Intakes Due to Dog Pneumovirus Outbreak

Columbia Animal Shelter Takes Precautions Amid Dog Pneumovirus Outbreak

Columbia, SC – The Columbia Animal Shelter has made the difficult decision to temporarily halt the intake of new animals due to an outbreak of pneumovirus affecting their canine residents. Officials from Animal Services announced the news on Monday, shedding light on the nature of the virus and its implications for the shelter and the pets in the surrounding community.

What Is Pneumovirus?

Pneumovirus, as stated in the release, is a virus that causes respiratory illnesses in dogs. Symptoms commonly seen in affected pets include coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and in some cases, difficulty breathing. Unfortunately, there are currently no vaccines available to protect dogs from this virus, making it critical for the shelter to implement immediate quarantine measures to safeguard both the infected population and the shelter’s overall health.

Officials noted that the virus appears to have originated from an external source, raising the alarm about the importance of monitoring dogs’ health closely. Tragically, it has been reported that some dogs diagnosed with pneumovirus have either died or had to be euthanized due to complications from the illness.

Protecting Our Furry Friends

As a crucial measure to protect existing animals within the shelter and the wider community, the shelter will limit all new intakes to emergency situations only. This means that only sick or injured animals will be accepted, as well as those involved in animal cruelty investigations. This policy is set to last for at least the next two weeks.

“At this time, the shelter will be unable to accommodate pet relinquishment on behalf of owners,” officials shared. While this may seem inconvenient for many pet owners, the shelter is still committed to assisting those looking to rehome their pets through various resources.

Help for Pet Owners

For families needing to find alternatives for their pets, the shelter will offer a range of resources. These include basic veterinary care, food supplies, and tools to help with pet rehoming. Officials encourage citizens who may encounter stray animals to provide temporary care while making attempts to locate the animal’s original owner. If those efforts prove unsuccessful, the shelter is ready to suggest self-rehoming strategies to ensure that animals find safe and caring homes.

Pet owners and community members needing further information are encouraged to reach out to the shelter directly. The Columbia Animal Shelter invites everyone to visit their website or call their helpline at 803-776-PETS for guidance. The community’s support in these trying times is essential to protect our furry friends and ensure their well-being.

Staying Updated

As this is a developing situation, the shelter is continuously monitoring the outbreak and is committed to providing accurate information as it becomes available. The community is encouraged to stay informed and to refresh their knowledge regularly since some aspects of this story may evolve.

The overall goal is to ensure that the shelter can continue to provide a safe haven for animals while combating this outbreak effectively. With the support of the community, the Columbia Animal Shelter hopes to overcome these challenges and return to normal operational status soon.