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Lee County Suspends Dog Adoptions
Feb 11, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Lee County Suspends Dog Adoptions Fort Myers, Florida, 2/11/08-Lee County Animal Services suspended adoptions Friday following the illness of several dogs at the shelter. When dogs began showing signs of illness unusual even for sheltered pets, the agency immediately contacted Dr. Cynda Crawford, a veterinarian at the University of Florida for assistance. Dr. Crawford is presently studying shelter illnesses through a grant and travels throughout the state conducting research. Initially tests results were negative. The last round of tests processed from swabs taken of thirty-five dogs last week came back positive in 20 of the samples for a strain of canine Corona virus new to this area. Dr. Crawford further reported that there was nothing that could have been done to prevent this as there is no vaccine for this new strain that affects the upper respiratory system unlike the more commonly seen Corona virus which is intestinal. Once introduced, sanitation is the only means of eradicating the virus. Animal Services kennels are disinfected daily but upper respiratory viruses are commonly passed on clothing and other objects as well as through the air. Even prior to the results, Animal Services staff began a deep cleaning of the entire facility. The additional sanitation was the first step in eliminating the virus as quickly as possible. One section of the building is being cleaned at a time with incoming animals placed into those areas. Animal Services will continue to evaluate the situation and if necessary depopulation measures may be taken to ensure the virus does not spread. Dog adoptions will be suspended until the process is complete. Cats are not affected by the virus and Animal Services has not suspended the cat adoption program. Shelters across the country deal with controlling disease on a daily basis. Unvaccinated animals entering shelters also have compromised immune systems due to the stress of being kenneled. Animal Services reminds pet owners that the best way to avoid having your pet in a mass housing situation is to ensure that pets are licensed according to Lee County Ordinance. With identification animals often can be returned in the field without ever having to enter the shelter. Animal Services took in over 16,000 pets in 2007. Lee County Animal Services provides animal control services throughout Lee County and operates an animal shelter to house stray and abandoned domestic animals. It also administers low-cost spay/neuter programs, educational initiatives, and rabies and bite case control programs. The shelter is located off Six Mile Cypress Parkway next to the Lee County Sheriff's Dept. For information call 239-LEE-PETS 533-7387 or visit Lee County Animal Services online at www.LeeLostPets.com.
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