Toccoa Shelter Quarantined Due to Parvo Virus

By Charlie Bauder, WNEG Radio Toccoa

The Georgia Department Of Agriculture has put a 14-day quarantine in effect for three areas of the Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter because of parvovirus.

Shelter Director Jeff Roberts says seven puppies that were brought into the shelter have tested positive for the k-9 parvovirus and had to be euthanized.

“That prohibits our ability to take in any more dogs at this time,” said Roberts. “The Department of Ag has put a 14-day quarantine where no animals can go in and out of those rooms during those 14 days.”

Because three rooms have been quarantined, Roberts says the shelter is not taking in any dogs or puppies until March 10.

The parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that spreads quickly in puppies and is usually fatal.

Puppies with parvo typically show signs of lethargy, watery diarrhea, vomiting and lack of appetite and weight loss.

Puppies generally contract the virus from unsanitary living conditions where dog feces is prevalent.

Roberts says parvovirus is something that must be treated seriously.

“Parvovirus is present throughout the community and when animals are brought in, they may be in the incubation stage of this virus and once they break with it, then it is a very deadly disease for animals and potentially very contagious for other animals in that area,” said Roberts.

Roberts said it is a problem that shelters always have to be on the lookout for, especially a shelter that accepts animals from the general public.

Roberts says the shelter can continue to accept stray and owner surrender cats.

Meantime, the shelter will remain open for adoptions.

Currently, the Toccoa-Stephens County Humane shelter has 100 dogs and cats looking for new homes.