Posted
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 01, 2010
The Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter of Washington County will be closed for dog adoptions until Tuesday, September 7.
“Several of the dogs at the shelter have developed an upper respiratory infection,” says Deborah Wood, Manger of Animal Services for Washington County. “It is not a serious illness – basically, we have the doggie version of a bad cold going around the shelter.” Rather than risk adopting out dogs that might spread the germ to other household pets or pass the illness to dogs at parks and other places they may play, the shelter is holding off on adoptions until the dogs are clearly over their symptoms.
“Every dog is receiving veterinary care. Stray dogs are given an antibiotic shot when they come into the shelter. All the dogs in the adoption area are receiving antibiotics, and we have implemented special cleaning and care protocols to keep the bug from spreading. Plus, we’re giving all the dogs a lot of TLC from our staff,” says Wood. “We expect all the dogs to recovery fully and find their forever homes next week.”
Other Services Still Open
The adoption program for cats is open. “We’d love to have people come and adopt our kitties,” says Wood.
The shelter is also accepting stray dogs and cats, reuniting lost pets with owners, and issuing licenses as usual during this time. The shelter is closed Sundays and will be closed Monday for the Labor Day holiday.
How to Help
“We had some people in the community ask what they can do to help. The cost of medications and supplies to properly care for the animals is adding up. We estimate that it’s costing us about $1000 every day that we’re closed,” says Wood. “We always welcome donations – and extra donations at this time of would be especially appreciated”.
The Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter is located at 1901 SE 24th Ave. in Hillsboro. For questions and information, please call us at 503-846-7041.