The Niagara SPCA is closed today and will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, October 17th after reporting a "very contagious outbreak of feline illness at the shelter."
We confirmed with Niagara SPCA Executive Director Amy Lewis that the illness is a virus called Feline Panleukopenia. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and neurological disorders in late stages of the disease.
Five shelter cats died from the virus today. Some of these cats were vaccinated against the virus but still contracted it.
Feline Panleukopenia is highly contagious and nearly always fatal if left untreated.
Lewis says they are only seeing the disease in their quarantined and stray cat population, not in the adoptable population.
The organization says it will reopen on Wednesday, October 18th with regular hours.
Here's what they posted earlier today:
Lewis says it is rare for this disease to be an issue this late in the year -- it's usually a summer issue.
