The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter has eight confirmed cases of the parvovirus at the shelter in the stray hold, isolation and sally port areas. The shelter has taken preventative action to isolate and contain the virus.

Dr. Beverlee Nix, zoonosis control veterinarian for the region, has been consulted and agrees with the shelter’s plan to continue adoptions for unexposed animals that have been held only in the adoption area of the shelter for the past week or longer. The cat kennels and front lobby remain open for business as usual.

Parvo is a highly contagious virus that affects dogs and not cats and is not transmitted to humans. It is not an air born virus, but is spread through contact with infected feces. To prevent the spread of the virus, foot traffic through the shelter has been limited, kennels and equipment are being sanitized daily, no animals are being moved into the adoption area and affected animals have been euthanized. Staff members are not allowed in or out of the stray hold and isolation areas unless assigned to that area, and they must change their shoes.

The shelter has called families that have adopted animals in the past week to advise them of the outbreak and ask them to watch their dogs for the next week for signs of the virus which include diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy.  The shelter will not be accepting owner surrender animals for the next two weeks until the risk of the virus spreading has subsided. 

To prevent a dog from contracting the parvovirus, dogs should be vaccinated annually.  The parvovirus can live in the ground for several years and is commonly found in this area. Until your animal is fully vaccinated, avoid taking the animal to public parks and limit their contact with grassy areas.  Bleach of 1 to 3 readily kills the parvovirus.