The Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center is dealing with a “low-risk” upper respiratory infection that has affected some dogs at the shelter. The director of the shelter, Kaye Persinger, explained that infections like these are common during the summer months when more stray dogs are taken in who may not be vaccinated. She mentioned that the risk of the infection spreading to humans is low and that the shelter is taking precautions to manage it. Persinger praised the medical team at the shelter for their efforts in testing infected dogs to learn how to treat them, as well as implementing strict cleaning protocols to prevent further spread.
Emails from a coordinator at the shelter were obtained by The Dispatch, detailing the precautions being taken due to the outbreak of upper respiratory infections among the dogs. Staff and volunteers were advised to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and to follow strict protocols while working with the dogs. Dogs that have been infected were separated from healthy ones, and all dogs at the shelter were to be tested to assess the extent of the outbreak. These measures were put in place to prevent contamination and further spread of the infection among the dogs at the shelter.
The coordinator’s emails instructed staff and volunteers to wear PPE for a short period of time while working at the shelter, emphasizing the importance of changing the PPE between wards to prevent contamination. The second email indicated that the wearing of PPE might be a short-term measure, lasting only a week, and that any changes to the protocol would be communicated promptly. It was also stressed that the risk of the infection spreading to humans is minimal, and direct contact with an infected dog’s feces would be required for transmission.
Persinger highlighted the importance of pet owners getting their dogs vaccinated and seeking veterinary care if they show symptoms of illness, such as heavy wheezing or nasal discharge. She compared the situation at the shelter to a hospital or jail, where diseases must be managed due to a large number of dogs being taken in. The shelter’s focus on testing infected dogs and implementing strict cleaning protocols demonstrates their commitment to ensuring the health and safety of the animals in their care. Volunteers and staff are advised to follow the safety measures put in place to prevent further spread of the infection.
