BARCS is unable to take in any new dogs because of a severe respiratory illness, which has placed around 30 dogs in quarantine — and others have died. “We felt that for the safety of the animals in our shelter and for our community, that we needed to close our dog intake temporarily to try and get the situation under control before it becomes more fatal,” BARCS Chief Philanthropy and Communications Officer Bailey Deacon said.11 News observed a BARCS team member in PPE walking one of the sick dogs Friday.In the past couple months, the shelter has seen an uptick in canine infectious respiratory disease complex cases. In the last week, it has only snowballed.While the disease is not transmissible to other species, its impact on the canine population has been severe. The sickness is not out-of-the-ordinary for any dog shelter. The problem is that the strain is not responding well to treatment — dogs are staying sick longer and needing extensive treatment. “What is different right now is that we are seeing animals that were coming in already tremendously sick. And what that tells us is that this strain is not just a shelter situation. It is something that is already out in the community and was introduced to our shelter,” Deacon said.BARCS has resources available to help people while they aren’t taking in dogs.To reduce the spread in the community, BARCS is urging pet owners to keep vaccines up-to-date and visit the vet if your dog shows signs of illness, such as coughing or fatigue.”The thing that dog owners need to do right now to make sure that their pets live are really simple steps. Do not share community water bowls with other dogs,” Deacon said “And, we suggest avoiding dog parks at this time.”BARCS will continue adoptions and fostering healthy dogs, including those with mild symptoms who can receive treatment in a home separate from other dogs.
BARCS is unable to take in any new dogs because of a severe respiratory illness, which has placed around 30 dogs in quarantine — and others have died.
“We felt that for the safety of the animals in our shelter and for our community, that we needed to close our dog intake temporarily to try and get the situation under control before it becomes more fatal,” BARCS Chief Philanthropy and Communications Officer Bailey Deacon said.
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11 News observed a BARCS team member in PPE walking one of the sick dogs Friday.
In the past couple months, the shelter has seen an uptick in canine infectious respiratory disease complex cases. In the last week, it has only snowballed.
While the disease is not transmissible to other species, its impact on the canine population has been severe. The sickness is not out-of-the-ordinary for any dog shelter. The problem is that the strain is not responding well to treatment — dogs are staying sick longer and needing extensive treatment.
“What is different right now is that we are seeing animals that were coming in already tremendously sick. And what that tells us is that this strain is not just a shelter situation. It is something that is already out in the community and was introduced to our shelter,” Deacon said.
BARCS has resources available to help people while they aren’t taking in dogs.
To reduce the spread in the community, BARCS is urging pet owners to keep vaccines up-to-date and visit the vet if your dog shows signs of illness, such as coughing or fatigue.
“The thing that dog owners need to do right now to make sure that their pets live are really simple steps. Do not share community water bowls with other dogs,” Deacon said “And, we suggest avoiding dog parks at this time.”
BARCS will continue adoptions and fostering healthy dogs, including those with mild symptoms who can receive treatment in a home separate from other dogs.
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