Genesee County, MI — Genesee County Animal Control will be closing the shelter to regular operation due to an outbreak of distemper (CDV) and Parvovirus in the Canine population in Genesee County Animal Control. We are also dealing with kennel cough from some of the strays brought to the shelter. This is an issue for an open intake Shelter that takes in abused, neglected, and broken animals from the street.

With the safety of over 250 animals at the forefront, Genesee County will take swift action to contain the spread. Even with all animals getting intake shots when brought to the shelter, this gives them limited protection but does not stop some symptoms of the virus or the shedding of the virus to other animals. It does, however, assist in keeping the virus from becoming lethal.

Genesee County Animal Control has confirmed that all these cases were brought in by strays and that symptoms began to appear after the quarantine period of five days, when volunteers and staff were able to walk and take the animals around the shelter.

Genesee County will continue with its rigorous cleaning protocol and extra spraying of rescue disinfectant in and outside the shelter as an everyday operation. We will also continue with testing and medical treatment.

The public must ensure that animals are vaccinated against disease and seek medical treatment for sick animals. This is a basic responsibility of pet ownership, and neglect of doing so could be considered criminal neglect.

Genesee County Animal Control is seeing an increase in animal population and sick and neglected animals, similar to what is happening across the country.

This is where the public can assist: If you find a stray, please look close to home for the possible owner and, if you can, hold that animal for a few days. In some cases, the animal’s owner may be out looking for this animal and is more likely to see it in your yard than bringing it directly to the shelter.

In addition, please post and check Facebook (For the Love of Louie) or your local neighborhood Facebook page for an owner.

It’s also essential for the public to know that when we are at or over capacity, we are unable to give a stray kennel placement, let alone an owner surrender, when no kennel spot is open. Owners should look to social media to rehome a pet long before attempting to drop them off at Animal Control. Please contact other limited intake shelters in Genesee County for assistance.

We will reopen to the public as soon as we can get this medical emergency under control and keep infected animals quarantined from animals coming into the shelter.