Fostering Needed During Quarantine at Animal Shelter

[Catherine Butler]

The Lakewood Animal Shelter is looking for people to help foster a cat while the shelter is under quarantine for the panleukopenia virus (feline distemper). Unfortunately, the shelter has just had an outbreak of this virus and will be under quarantine for the next two weeks. There are currently 6 adult cats at the shelter now that have been exposed but are not showing any symptoms. We would like to find some temporary homes for these cats until the quarantine is over and it is safe for these cats to return to the shelter.

Things you should know if you foster any of these cats:

1) You will need to watch them to see if they develop any symptoms. The good thing is that they are adults, who can sometimes be immune or not as affected by the virus. Additionally, these cats were vaccinated as soon as it was known that the virus was present at the shelter. Symptoms can
include: generalized depression, loss of appetite, high fever, lethargy, vomiting, dehydration, and hanging over the water dish.

2) The incubation period for the virus can be up to 14 days.

3) If you have other cats in your home, you should be sure that they are
up-to-date on their vaccinations, and you will need to keep them separated from the foster cat as the virus is very contagious.

4) Three of these cats are un-neutered males.

5) The virus cannot be passed on to humans or dogs.

If you are interested in fostering one or more of these cats, please call the shelter directly at (216) 529-5020 or me at (216) 221-7953. If you know of anyone else who may be able to help, please pass the word on.
Thanks for your consideration.