A pneumonia outbreak at Douglas County Animal Shelter has led to a mandatory quarantine imposed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, according to 11Alive, after 14 dogs – just shy of 10 percent of the shelter's canine population – became sick. The shelter stated that, thankfully, no cats or shelter staff members have been affected by the outbreak.
Officials slapped signs on the shelter's doors reading, "No people or animals allowed in or out," underscoring the severity of the situation. The Georgia Department of Agriculture's actions come after the shelter took preemptive voluntary measures earlier this week, closing its doors to thwart the advance of the disease.
Residents like Cori Scott, who showed up to adopt a pet on her birthday only to find the shelter locked down, expressed a mix of disappointment and understanding. According to a FOX 5 Atlanta interview, she said, "Today is my birthday and I wanted to have like a fury friend. I've been wanting to have a dog or cat for quite some time, so I just figured hey, why not today, treat myself."
As part of the quarantine, which is expected to last for two weeks per the shelter's announcement, there will be a limitation on animal intake and control. Animal control will function on an emergency-only basis, prioritizing cases involving injured or aggressive animals, or those subjected to cruelty. Vanessa Francikowski, Douglas County Animal Services Director, emphasized in a release obtained by 11Alive the necessity of "swift and comprehensive action" to protect the animals and staff from the outbreak.
Because of the situation, the shelter is calling for donations including blankets, dog toys, paper products, and treats to help care for the quarantined dogs. Contributions can be left at the shelter's front door or made online through the county's website. The shelter's address, for those willing to drop off supplies, is 2171 Mack Road in Douglasville, operational from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
