Napa County Animal Shelter is in a tight spot and is turning to locals for help with its tiniest residents. Staff are asking people to temporarily care for healthy found kittens while they work to contain a recent rise in feline panleukopenia. Regular kitten intake is on hold until the outbreak is under control, and the shelter says it can guide anyone who discovers a healthy kitten. People who find kittens are urged to keep them separated from other pets and call the shelter for support at 707-253-4382.
What The County Is Asking
In a post on X, the County of Napa said Napa County Animal Shelter is seeing a rise in feline panleukopenia and asked residents to consider temporarily caring for healthy found kittens until intake can safely resume, according to Napa County. The post added that shelter staff are working to contain the virus and are providing care to kittens that have already been affected.
Vaccinate your kittens as it's one of the most effective ways to prevent panleukopenia. The FVRCP vaccine is considered a core vaccine for cats and kittens
— Napa County (@NapaCountyGov) July 8, 2026
and provides strong protection against this virus. (3/3)
Shelter Contact And Intake Pause
The Napa County Animal Shelter's facility page lists the shelter's phone number and hours and directs people to call for help with found kittens, according to the shelter's facility listing. For immediate assistance, the county asks callers to reach the shelter at 707-253-4382 for guidance on fostering, supplies and next steps, Napa County Animal Shelter says.
Why Panleukopenia Is Dangerous For Kittens
Feline panleukopenia (FPV), often called cat distemper or cat parvo, is a highly contagious parvovirus that can cause vomiting, bloody diarrhea and rapid dehydration, and it can be fatal for young, unvaccinated kittens. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that the virus can survive in the environment for months to a year without proper disinfection and recommends strong oxidizing disinfectants, such as diluted bleach or potassium peroxymonosulfate, to inactivate the virus.
How To Care For A Found Kitten
Rescue groups and shelter guides warn that kittens who appear healthy can decline quickly, so anyone who takes in a found kitten is advised to isolate it from resident animals, use gloves and strict hand-washing, and keep the kitten away from shared spaces until a vet or shelter clears it. Napa Humane's orphaned-kitten guidance also notes that panleukopenia may require pausing fosters and doing thorough disinfection, and it recommends contacting local shelters for step-by-step care instructions.
Vaccination And Prevention
The main protection against panleukopenia is the core FVRCP vaccine series, and feline vaccination guidance recommends starting kitten shots early and boosting at intervals to build reliable immunity, particularly in high-risk settings such as shelters, according to AAHA/AAFP. The guidance notes that vets and shelter medicine programs point to rapid vaccination, careful intake screening and strict sanitation as key tools for preventing and limiting outbreaks.
Where To Get Help
The county asks anyone who finds a healthy kitten to call the Napa County Animal Shelter at 707-253-4382 for guidance, fostering help and resources. Local rescue groups such as Friends of Napa Animals also operate foster networks and may be able to assist with supplies, medical referrals and short-term care while the shelter manages intake, Friends of Napa Animals says.
