Things were looking up Friday for the animals at the Kanawha Charleston Humane Association.
Earlier this week two cases of distemper were found at the shelter and nine animals had to be euthanized. The Department of Agriculture recommended all 90-plus dogs at the shelter be put down and the facility shuttered for three weeks while it underwent a thorough cleaning.
But during a public meeting Thursday, several local vets volunteered to check out each animal to determine which ones could be saved. Shelter Executive Director Donna Clark says 40 dogs have a new leash on life today.
“We’ve adopted out 20 of the dogs,” Clark told MetroNews Friday.
The shelter has taken in seven dogs in the last day and they now need homes for a total of 27 more dogs.
“At least they’re alive and they’re looking for homes,” Clark said.
She added they have a lot of loving animals that need forever homes.
“Most of them are [mixed breeds]. Most of them are bigger dogs. We have one little one that really needs to get out of here. It’s a fox terrier.”
Fifty-two other dogs are currently under quarantine for the next two weeks to make sure they don’t have distemper. If they make it, they’ll be available for adoption as well.
Clark says in the past 24-hours the shelter has received donations of cleaning supplies to help sanitize one of the main dog rooms.
“We’ve got two complete sections where we’ve moved the dogs out. We’re able to clean all that, bleach and clean everything from top to bottom,” Clark said.
If you are interested in adopting one of those dogs, you can go to the shelters Facebook page where you’ll find pictures of all the adoptees and how to go about making one a part of your family.
Clark says she has one simple message for pet owners.
“Please vaccinate your animals! Take them to the vet. Make sure they are healthy.”