Kent County SPCA cat intake closed as ditemper virus spreads
The Kent County SPCA is dealing with a distemper epidemic, forcing the shelter to close its cat intake and resulting in the loss of more than three dozen felines.
The virus broke around after Hurricane Irene came through, likely brought on by contaminated water feral and wild cats were drinking before they arrived at the SPCA, and according to the News Journal, six kittens and four cats have been found dead, and 11 kittens and 17 cats were euthanized when the highly contagious virus was found.
People are not affected by the disease, and while dogs can contaminate cats, cats cannot transmit distemper to dogs. Even with treatment, few cats survive. No dogs in the shelter have been affected.
WHYY’s Mark Fowser reports the shelter closed for a few days for a thorough cleaning and will halt its cat intake until Oct. 25.
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