The Christian County Animal Shelter announced on Thursday that they are closed to pet intake and adoptions as the result of shelter animals contracting distemper.
Canine distemper is a contagious virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of dogs and comes with symptoms such as fever, coughing, vomiting, discharge from the eyes and nose, reduced appetite, lack of coordination and more according to the American Veterinarian Medical Association.
According to a post to social media, a dog dropped off at the shelter ended up having distemper and staff are working to set up a quarantine area and a safe place to put incoming animals. Animals possibly infected will be quarantineed for 21 days.
The shelter advises for anyone who may have adopted a pet in the last two weeks to monitor them for any respiratory symptoms and to take them to the vet if they show any signs of the virus.
Updates will be posted to the Christian County Animal Shelter on Facebook. Despite the closure, the Dog Days of Summer vendor event which is set to take place outside of the shelter will continue as scheduled.