Respiratory illness temporarily shuts 2 shelters’ doors to dogs

Faithful Friends Animal Society and Humane Animal Partners have temporarily stopped dog intakes and dog adoptions at their New Castle and Wilmington shelters while they treat a canine respiratory illness.

“We’re taking these measures to limit the spread of the infection and help our dogs recover,” Faithful Friends announced on Facebook.

“Symptoms are a cough, like a kennel cough, lack of appetite, trouble breathing, off and on, and could include a fever,”  Faithful Friends founder Jane Pierantozzi told DelawareLive.

“It has shown no sign of spreading to people or cats,” another post explained.

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One Faithful Friends dog, named Heidi, has died from the illness. “We are all heartbroken,” she said.

Thor, a dog at Humane Animal Partners that also suffered from the illness, died over the weekend, said Patrick Carroll, executive director of HAP.

A second dog was sent to the emergency room, he added.

Both dogs were at HAP’s Wilmington shelter. Because of renovations, its Stanton shelter has no dogs. Its Rehoboth Beach shelter remains open.

The Brandywine Valley SPCA – which operates seven facilities in Delaware and Pennsylvania – was asked if it has been affected but did not immediately respond.

HAP has canceled a vaccine clinic scheduled for Saturday.

A vaccine clinic scheduled for Saturday at Faithful Friends will go on as planned.

“The vaccine clinic is drive up outside and it won’t effect it – separate techs and separate vet helping with vaccine clinic,” Pierantozzi said.

Shelter appeals

“Dogs in foster care who have not been exposed will still be available for adoption,” Faithful Friends said on Facebook.

The nonprofit issued an “urgent” appeal on Facebook for “foster homes without dogs to continue their treatment! You will help monitor them with close support from our Veterinarian, medical and foster care team.

“You get them out of the shelter, ensure they get their medications and provide extra TLC! We provide all necessary supplies!”

Faithful Friends is also looking for donations to its Healing Touch Fund to cover the costs of the fight.

“We need to raise $15k at this time for this unexpected virus and expect it could go up,” Pierantozzi said.

“We also have a few dogs who are not currently symptomatic, who we would like to get into foster homes without dogs, as they have been exposed to other sick dogs, in an attempt to ensure they remain healthy!”

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“Three dogs are hospitalized, and one will be released today, and we expect two will be released tomorrow,” she said Tuesday.

“Others who are sick are and have been receiving at the shelter supportive care, such as fluids and antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections.

“Some have received steroids and nebulizing treatments. A culture will tell us exactly what we are dealing with soon. ”

One poster said she was already dealing with the issue.

“My puppy that I adopted from here last week is currently in the hospital with this,” Kinsey Alexis wrote on one of Faithful Friends’ Facebook posts.

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