Respiratory illness temporarily shuts 2 shelters’ doors to dogs

Deebo was treated for the respiratory illness, and Faithful Friends is now looking for a foster to shelter the dog. Courtesy of Faithful Friends.

Faithful Friends Animal Society and Humane Animal Partners have temporarily stopped dog intakes and dog adoptions at their New Castle and Wilmington shelters while they treat a canine respiratory illness.

“We’re taking these measures to limit the spread of the infection and help our dogs recover,” Faithful Friends announced on Facebook.

“Symptoms are a cough, like a kennel cough, lack of appetite, trouble breathing, off and on, and could include a fever,”  Faithful Friends founder Jane Pierantozzi told DelawareLive.

“It has shown no sign of spreading to people or cats,” another post explained.

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One Faithful Friends dog, named Heidi, has died from the illness. “We are all heartbroken,” she said.

Thor, a dog at Humane Animal Partners that also suffered from the infection, died over the weekend, said Patrick Carroll, executive director of HAP.

A second dog was sent to the emergency room, he added.

Both dogs were at HAP’s Wilmington shelter. Because of renovations, its Stanton shelter has no dogs. Its Rehoboth Beach shelter remains open.

“We first noticed we had a dog come down with an upper respiratory infection on June 21st,” Pierantozzi said. “BoPeep responded to treatment here and is not clear for adoption.

“Today, we have 25 dogs with a severe upper respiratory under treatment. Three dogs are still in the hospital,” she said Tuesday.

“One dog will be released today and fortunately is going to a foster home without dogs.  We are still looking for a foster without dogs for sweet Deebo and other dogs recovered or recovering well. Another dog is going to a foster home.

“We still urgently needs fosters without dogs to foster for about two weeks. We should know in a few days if our culture shows what this new virus is. We rely on the community to help us and appreciate all the support both financial and/or fosters.

“Others who are sick are and have been receiving at the shelter supportive care, such as fluids and antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections. Some have received steroids and nebulizing treatments.”

HAP has canceled a vaccine clinic scheduled for Saturday.

A vaccine clinic scheduled for Saturday at Faithful Friends will go on as planned.

“The vaccine clinic is drive up outside and it won’t effect it – separate techs and separate vet helping with vaccine clinic,” Pierantozzi said.

The Brandywine Valley SPCA – which operates seven facilities in Delaware and Pennsylvania – remains open.

“As the only open-access animal welfare organization serving 72% of Delaware’s statewide animal intake, and providing critical services to the state’s lost and stray pets, as well as victims of animal cruelty and neglect, we must stay open for the animals who rely on us to be available to them 24-7,” said Sara Smith, senior director of marketing and communications.

“Upper respiratory infections are common in shelters, where large numbers of dogs from varied backgrounds are housed together and URIs can pass much like colds in child daycare.

“The Brandywine Valley SPCA campuses, much like other shelters, have been dealing with a recent strain of canine upper respiratory illness, but have a team of 14 veterinarians, medical, and shelter staff who are monitoring our population closely.

“We will continue to aggressively treat any animals with symptoms of the illness and remain vigilant in cleaning and sanitizing efforts as we continue to provide a safe haven for animals in need of care.”

Faithful Friends on Monday sent Spanky to the BluePearl Pet Hospital in Christiana. The shelter is fighting bouts of a canine respiratory infection. Courtesy of Faithful Friends

Shelter appeals

“Dogs in foster care who have not been exposed will still be available for adoption,” Faithful Friends said on Facebook.

The nonprofit issued an “urgent” appeal on Facebook for “foster homes without dogs to continue their treatment! You will help monitor them with close support from our Veterinarian, medical and foster care team.

“You get them out of the shelter, ensure they get their medications and provide extra TLC! We provide all necessary supplies!”

Faithful Friends is also looking for donations to its Healing Touch Fund to cover the costs of the fight.

“We need to raise $15k at this time for this unexpected virus and expect it could go up,” Pierantozzi said.

“We also have a few dogs who are not currently symptomatic, who we would like to get into foster homes without dogs, as they have been exposed to other sick dogs, in an attempt to ensure they remain healthy!”

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One poster said she was already dealing with the issue.

“My puppy that I adopted from here last week is currently in the hospital with this,” Kinsey Alexis wrote on one of Faithful Friends’ Facebook posts.