YORK, Pa. — The York County SPCA on Friday announced the cancellation of a scheduled adoption event this weekend due to an outbreak of canine parvovirus at its York facility.
"This week, two recently admitted, unvaccinated dogs became symptomatic and tested positive for canine parvovirus or “parvo,” a highly contagious disease affecting dogs," the SPCA said in a statement on its website. "Managing the spread of infectious diseases is an important function of shelter medicine. Our medical team works tirelessly to quarantine sick animals so that we can get them healthy and ready for adoption while keeping our entire shelter population healthy.
"(On Thursday), a third dog entered our care, testing positive for canine parvovirus on arrival. The majority of the dogs in our care are fully vaccinated and are at low risk for contracting the disease. The parvo positive dogs are currently isolated away from our general population and the most at-risk exposed dogs are also quarantined in a separate area of the shelter."
The SPCA said it will monitor all of its dogs for at least the next two weeks to ensure the safety of the entire shelter population.
"We have implemented numerous safety protocols to mitigate the spread of the disease," the shelter said. "Currently, the cases and exposure are limited to one section of our kennel and, out of an abundance of caution, we have added safety protocols and taken steps to limit exposure so other dogs will not potentially contract the virus."
The SPCA said all three of the affected dogs came from the same area of York City. Two came from Madison Avenue, and the third from King Street.
"Residents in this area should be extremely cautious when walking their dogs and should ensure their dogs are fully vaccinated for canine parvovirus," the shelter said. "Based on the sudden onset of their symptoms after arrival, we believe that they entered our shelter with the virus."
In addition to the cancellation of this weekend's adoption event, the York County SPCA shelter will remain closed for public browsing in its dog kennel until July 25.
Public browsing hours for cats and small animals will remain available Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the shelter said.
"While we must cancel this event, it is critical that we continue to place healthy, fully vaccinated dogs in adoptive homes," the shelter said. "Most of our shelter population is at extremely low risk of contracting or spreading the virus. We are obligated by contract to take in stray and displaced dogs in York County. If we were to cease adopting out healthy, low risk animals, we would quickly have to close our doors to canine intake, leaving many animals at risk with no safe haven or resources in their time of need.
"Our shelter is now at capacity for dogs, and events like we planned for Sunday are essential tools to get more dogs adopted, creating space for new incoming pets."
While the shelter cannot safely allow public walk-throughs at its dog kennel, it will still host a half-price adoption special from Sunday, July 14 through Saturday, July 20, the SPCA said. The event will be by appointment only.
"Dogs that are available for adoption during this special are fully vaccinated, asymptomatic and very low risk for contracting the virus," the shelter said. "Our main concern is the health and safety of the dogs in our shelter and pets in the community. Appointment-based adoptions will allow us to have thorough conversations to ensure there is no risk in placing a dog in their forever home."
To schedule an appointment, contact the York County SPCA at (717) 764-6109 or by email at info@ycspca.org.
You can go here to view dogs available for adoption.
