Staff first stumbled across two litters of kittens at 8 a.m. on Tuesday. One of the litters showed signs of sickness and were covered in fleas but were treated by the veterinary team. For the next 24 hours, 10 more cats were abandoned on Humane Society property.
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The kittens were put into foster homes after receiving treatment. However, 24 hours after they were found, one of the litters began showing signs of the Feline panleukopenia virus, or feline distemper.
Panleukopenia is a highly contagious and deadly disease in the cat population. Kittens between the ages of two to six months are at the highest risk of developing severe symptoms, such as brain damage.
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“It’s a very contagious illness for cats. All of our cats our vaccinated but it’s important to be precautionary and monitor them,” said Jessica Garringer, marketing and development project manager for the Humane Society.
“We are all saddened by the events that have transpired over the past 24 hours,” said Brian Weltge, president and CEO of the Humane Society. “This reiterates why it is so crucial for people to work with us to bring cats in through the proper channels. As a limited-intake facility we know we may not be able to immediately take in your cats, but we do have options for you.”
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