Dog Park Open and Shelter Taking and Adopting Dogs After Parvo Outbreak

SAN ANGELO, TX -- According to the City of San Angelo this morning, the Animal Shelter began accepting and adopting dogs after a recent community outbreak of canine parvovirus forced the stoppage of those activities for two weeks.

The dog park at 3215 Millbrook Drive will reopen Friday, Oct. 19, once the chances of rain have diminished.

“Although parvo is ever-present in the community, the shelter is currently free of the disease,” said Morgan Chegwidden, assistant director of Neighborhood and Family Services. “We hope this episode highlights the need to vaccinate pets. That’s the surest way to ensure a pet’s health.”

Over the past two weeks, six shelter dogs died of parvo, 22 were euthanized, 14 were treated at veterinary clinics, and more than 150 received preventative measures. Chegwidden credited close working relationships with local veterinarians, generous donors and Concho Valley PAWS for the survival of the vast majority of the dogs.

Shelter officials believe the disease was introduced into the facility by strays. The intake and adoption of dogs was halted after several dogs were noted as being sick with the deadly disease and veterinarians reported a local outbreak. The shelter continued its other public health operations, including accepting and adopting cats, which are not susceptible to parvo.

Canine parvovirus is highly contagious, incurable and life-threatening. Symptoms include lethargy, severe vomiting, loss of appetite, and bloody diarrhea. Parvo is transmitted through contact with an infected dog’s feces. Puppies are most susceptible to the disease.

Along with vaccinating dogs and cats, owners can best protect their pets by keeping them within their homes and yards unless they are otherwise leashed.