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LEE COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — The Lee County Animal Shelter hopes to reopen July 1 after two dogs tested positive for canine parvovirus, prompting a 14-day quarantine.

Shelter Manager Dana Mathis said the shelter shut down after the first positive case to protect animals inside the shelter and pets in the community.

“As soon as we had our first case positive, we decided that we would shut down for 14 days,” Mathis said.

Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious disease that develops quickly and attacks a dog’s gastrointestinal tract and immune system, according to experts. It can be fatal if left untreated, especially for puppies and unvaccinated dogs.

Mathis said the shelter has increased cleaning and containment efforts during the quarantine.

Only two dogs have tested positive, Mathis said. She said the shelter reviewed its adoption records and does not believe dogs adopted during the past month or two were exposed.

“We don’t,” Mathis said when asked whether recently adopted dogs are believed to be at risk. “We’ve gone back through all of our records.”

Mathis said recent adopters should call the shelter if their dog starts showing symptoms.

The shelter regularly takes in stray animals, including puppies and dogs that may not have been vaccinated. Mathis said that makes it difficult for any shelter to completely prevent a parvovirus case.

“There is no way to stop a shelter from having a parvo case if they’re taking in stray animals,” Mathis said.

Mathis said vaccination is the best way to protect dogs from the virus. She urged owners to make sure puppies receive their puppy vaccinations, whether through a veterinarian or a local vaccine clinic.

The shelter’s reopening depends on whether any additional cases appear before the quarantine ends. Mathis said dogs currently in the shelter’s care are not showing symptoms.

“We are hoping to open July 1, which will be the end of our 14-day quarantine,” Mathis said. “That’s if no more cases show up.”

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