2 more shelters under quarantine after cats test positive for deadly virus

ATLANTA — Channel 2 Consumer Investigator Jim Strickland confirmed two more local animal shelters were under quarantine after cats tested positive for a deadly virus.

Strickland broke the news Monday of the feline lockdown at Bartow County Animal Control.

The Department of Agriculture, which regulates animal shelters in the state, confirms a shelter in Jefferson County had its quarantine expire Friday.

The director of Etowah Valley Humane Society says its cats are quarantined until a week from Saturday.

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A total of 61 cats taken in from Bartow County by the Fur Kids rescue in Doraville appear healthy and will be adoption-ready July 9.

"We want to save their lives. We believe they deserve a chance at life. They were just at the wrong place at the wrong time," said rescue director Sam Shelton.

The disease at the center of the outbreak is feline distemper.

Etowah Valley says only one kitten tested positive, and has since recovered.

"Being that all the rest of our cats have already been administrated the vaccine, they're fine and there's no prospects of another outbreak," said director Bryan Canty.

The Humane Society will partner with Bartow Animal Control in a more aggressive vaccination program.

“So now Animal Control will implement vaccines upon intake, sort of a preemptive strike against the onset of diseases that commonly effect animals," said Canty.

The quarantine at Bartow County Animal Control is set to expire Wednesday.

Rescue advocates urge pet owners to administer all vaccinations to prevent the spread of pet disease.

Cox Media Group