Mystery Illness in Catawba County, NC- BE CAREFUL!!

[doganddisc]

I just received this article in my inbox: http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Shelter- ... 06884.html

If you are bringing a foster into your home, whether for temporary or longterm housing, make sure that dog has been quarantined first. This horrible disease doesn't need to get anywhere beyond the walls of this animal shelter.

Sorry for posting this in the "Dogs Available" area, but it seemed like a very important issue. I know quarantine is ideal, but not always practiced or practical, in rescue. Please be careful!

[kgunther]

There is additional discussion on this subject in the "Off Topic" area. I have always been very careful when I have fosters and keep them away from my dogs no matter how healthy they appear. The only exception I ever made was when litte Bear/Evan/Bolt was with me for a few days. He had never been at a shelter and he had been vetted. So I let him stay upstairs and meet my dogs.

While I do think it pays to be very careful, I hope this was a very isolated incident and that it doesn't scare people away from shelter dogs and/or rescue work in general. That would be a real shame. Sharing information is important but I think we have to be careful in sounding the "alarm" bell too loudly and having people take away the wrong information. Sadly, this is one of those e-mails that could turn into "All shelter dogs have mystery diseases and should be put down." I pray that is not what happens....

Kristy