The Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania has had to temporarily stop accepting new animals while it copes with a mass outbreak of canine influenza
As an attempt to stop the spread, the Larimer-based animal shelter will stop accepting dogs until the fatal outbreak is controlled.
So far, one dog at the shelter has died of the disease and four others had to be euthanized due to extreme cases of pneumonia, according to shelter development director Dan Musher. Twenty-three dogs are currently infected and are being treated, Musher said.
Although potentially deadly to dogs, it cannot be spread to humans or other animals. Signs of the respiratory disease include nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, and fever.
The Animal Rescue League is currently seeking volunteers who don’t own dogs and could care for the infected canines in their homes, either temporarily or permanently.
Anyone interested in making donations or providing a foster home for an exposed dog can call the shelter at (412) 661-6452 or visit http://www.animalrescue.org