INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Animal Shelter still needs to adopt out 19 of the dogs that were isolated following the euthanization of dogs that tested positive for distemper last week.
Indianapolis Animal Care and Control said four dogs had been euthanized since distemper was first discovered in the shelter. Two were euthanized by the shelter. Two others had already gone to rescues when they began displaying signs of distemper and had to be put down.
The IACC says they need to adopt out the remaining dogs so they can disinfect the room and bring new dogs in.
The center temporarily changed its intake policies last week after the initial distemper confirmation. They have waived all fees for those isolated dogs, which according to the IACC, are at "extremely low risk" for contracting distemper. You can find more information about adopting here.
These 19 dogs still need to be adopted before we can deep-clean our adoption kennel! To help them find their forever...
Posted by Indianapolis Animal Care & Control on Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Indianapolis Animal Care and Control said 104 dogs in total were initially isolated and vaccinated.
Two distemper-positive dogs were euthanized, as well as two other dogs suspected of having contracted the disease.
Canine distemper is a highly contagious airborne virus that affects dogs' respiratory tracts, spinal cords and brains, often resulting in high fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
The disease is fatal in about 50 percent of cases.
This is the second major quarantine effort at IACC in just over a year.
MORE | IACC: 22 cats have died from virus
In October 2014, 22 cats died or were euthanized following an outbreak of the feline panleukopenia virus at the shelter. More than 140 cats were saved after being moved to other rescue organizations' shelters.
In an effort to prevent the spread of the disease, shelter officials announced Thursday they would be temporarily waiving the adoption fee for dogs. IACC is also temporarily requesting the public not bring owner-surrendered dogs to the shelter.
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