News Summary
The Columbia Animal Shelter is temporarily limiting intakes for 14 days due to a canine pneumovirus outbreak. The shelter will only accept sick or injured animals and offers support for pet owners looking to rehome their pets. Residents are encouraged to help strays and utilize available spay/neuter vouchers. For more information, contact the shelter.
Temporary Intake Limitations at Columbia Animal Shelter Due to Canine Pneumovirus Outbreak
In Columbia, animal lovers will want to pay close attention to some important news affecting our four-legged friends. The City of Columbia Animal Shelter is taking precautions and implementing temporary intake limitations for the next 14 days because of a troubling outbreak of canine pneumovirus. This decision was made to protect the health of the dogs in their care, and here’s what you need to know.
What is Canine Pneumovirus?
First off, let’s talk about this sneaky virus. Canine pneumovirus is a nasty bug that affects dogs, causing various respiratory illnesses. You’ve probably seen a sick dog coughing or sneezing, and that’s exactly what this virus does! The symptoms to watch out for include coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and even difficulty breathing. It’s important to keep an eye on our furry pals during this time, as there’s currently no vaccine available to protect them from this illness.
Limited Intakes at the Shelter
To keep the spread of the virus in check, the Columbia Animal Shelter will only accept sick and injured animals, along with those caught up in any animal cruelty investigations. This means that if you’re thinking about surrendering your pet during this period, the shelter won’t be able to take them in. Instead, pet owners are encouraged to explore other options to find new homes for their pets.
Helping Pet Owners
It’s definitely a tough situation for both pets and their owners, but the shelter is stepping up to lend a helping paw! For those looking to rehome their pets, the shelter is providing resources to help make this transition easier. They’re offering basic veterinary care, food support, and other resources to assist pet owners in finding loving new homes for their furry friends.
What to Do If You Find a Stray?
Have you stumbled upon a stray animal? The shelter wants you to step up! Residents are encouraged to temporarily house any strays and do their best to locate their owners. It’s always a great idea to check local social media pages and community bulletin boards. If the owner can’t be identified after some searching, consider rehoming the animal yourself! The shelter is ready to help you navigate this process and provide some tips on how best to find a new home for your furry find.
Spay/Neuter Vouchers Available
In an effort to continue promoting responsible pet ownership, the Columbia Animal Shelter is also offering spay/neuter vouchers to residents of Columbia and Richland County. These vouchers are a fantastic way to help reduce the costs associated with spaying or neutering your pets and can be redeemed at select veterinary locations. It’s a win-win for everyone involved!
How to Get More Information
If you’re looking for more information about the shelter’s available resources or the ongoing situation with canine pneumovirus, you can check out the Columbia Animal Services’ website or give them a call at (803) 776-PETS (7387). They’re there to answer all your questions and provide guidance!
So, for now, let’s spread the word and do the best we can to keep our furry friends safe and sound. Remember, keeping our dogs happy and healthy is a team effort! Stay informed, stay caring, and together we’ll get through this.
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Additional Resources
- ABC Columbia: Pet of the Week – Meet Butch
- Wikipedia: Canine Pneumovirus
- The State: Pet-Related News
- Google Search: Columbia Animal Shelter Pneumovirus
- ABC Columbia: Columbia Animal Services to Host Pet Adoption Events
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pet
- WLTX: Columbia Focuses on Underserved Zip Code to Reduce Dog Intake
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