ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - Alachua County Animal Services is under a self-imposed quarantine of their dog kennels due to a highly contagious, but treatable, upper respiratory infection (URI). They are asking citizens without dogs in their homes to consider fostering a dog for a short term. Dogs that need fostering have either come through the illness and no longer have symptoms or were exposed but did not get sick. The shelter will provide food and all necessary medical care. The shelter can loan crates for dogs if needed. A foster parent orientation is scheduled for Saturday, May 6, 2017, at 11 a.m., at the Animal Services Headquarters (3400 N.E. 53rd Avenue, Gainesville). Orientation attendees should come prepared to leave with a shelter dog in need.
The shelter is working with the Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine to monitor the health of the animals and administer the appropriate course of treatment. The canine patients are responding very well to antibiotic treatments, and many have already recovered.
During this quarantine, the shelter requests that dog owner surrenders be held until this situation is resolved. If needed, Alachua County Animal Services can provide support or refer owners to an Alachua County Animal Welfare Coalition partner.
For more information, support, or for those wanting to foster but are unable to make the scheduled orientation call 352-264-6870.