Updated: Cobb animal shelter cleaning expected next week
UPDATED, Thursday, Oct. 3, 12:45 P.M.
Cobb government said today the county animal services staff is “in full emergency mode” due to a strep zoo outbreak.
The original report Wednesday indicated that two dogs had died from contagious bacterial infection, but now the county is saying “at least four dogs” have died.
Cobb reiterated Wednesday’s announcement that the shelter will be closed for at least two weeks for a cleaning, and that no new animals will be accepted during that time.
The animals remaining at the shelter will be cared for by staff as they have been and be put on antibiotics for seven days and monitored by veterinarians.
The county says the animal services staff will respond to calls and is working with humane societies and rescue groups to find temporary housing for animals needing shelter.
“This is an expensive operation, but county officials have vowed to use contingency funds in the FY20 budget to do what is needed,” according to Thursday’s county update.
Cobb government spokesman Ross Cavitt said the county is spending $15,000 on the antibiotics. Here’s more information in a video that went out with Thursday’s update:
ORIGINAL REPORT, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 2, 5:13 P.M.:
The Cobb Animal Services shelter will close for at least two weeks after two dogs there died from strep zoo, a highly contagious bacterial infection.
Cobb government spokesman Ross Cavitt said in a release issued late Wednesday afternoon that volunteers are not to come by the shelter, located at 1060 Al Bishop Drive in Marietta, and that no new animals will be accepted while the shelter is closed.
“After consulting with our on-site veterinarians, we determined that closing the facility was the only option available,” Shana Luke, Cobb Animal Services Division Director said in a statement. “We will embark on a thorough cleaning process of the entire facility, and put all the animals in the shelter on an antibiotic regimen.”
Strep zoo, a shortened name of the medical term Streptococcus Zooepidemicus, was discovered as the cause of death for the two dogs after an investigation by shelter staff. The bacteria affects an animal’s respiratory system and shelter animals are vulnerable.
Luke said the cleaning will begin immediately and that shelter staff will work “on a case-by-case basis to provide care” to other shelter animals “in certain situations.”
Veterinarians will monitor the health of the cats and dogs who remain at the shelter, Cavitt said.
“This is an unfortunate incident and we deeply regret having to close to the public,” Luke said. “But the health and welfare of the animals we care for is our top priority.”
More than 100 pets from the Cobb shelter have been adopted out over the last two years as part of a program started by Cobb commissioner JoAnn Birrell.
It’s called Superior Pets for Patriotic Vets, in which a dog or cat is adopted by a military veteran. Superior Plumbing of Cobb provides the funding to cover adoption fees.
Superior announced recently it was donating another $5,000 to cover 100 more adoptions.
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