On Oct. 6, 2023, the Wake County Animal Center closed its doors to contain an outbreak of Canine Influenza, also known as the Dog Flu according to ABC-11.
Wake County Government reported that The Wake County Animal Center has been dealing with overcrowding and a surplus of intakes for a while even relying on waiving the adoption fee for homeless pets. The Dog Flu outbreak has created more concerns for the center after three dogs reportedly died of the Canine Influenza. ABC-11 added that the center will be closed to the public for at least 35 days having started Oct. 6, but could be closed longer if the spread is not contained in that time. It is vital to stop the spread of any illnesses, especially a possibly fatal respiratory illness such as the Dog Flu.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Wake County is a partner of the Wake County Animal Center, but notes that the SPCA of Wake County only typically take in a limited number of surrendered pets. This means that many surrenders, strays and lost and found animals are taken in at the Wake County Animal Center. However, with the outbreak of the Dog Flu, admissions can not happen. The center is encouraging people to handle strays or rehoming animals to the best of their ability on their own or with help from other local shelters.
There are different ways in which the center has been impacted in this time of crisis. The animal center is not allowing owners to surrender their pets at this time. Additionally, animal control is still responding to emergencies but will not be “picking up strays or owner surrenders in the field.” On the other hand, some services will continue. For example, pet owners can still call in for lost pets that could be there as well as offering phone support for rehoming any animals.
As of Oct. 30, 2023, the most recent update provided by the Wake County Government on Oct. 23 includes information that there are currently 54 sick dogs in the building but no additional deaths from the dog flu have occurred as of the Oct. 23.
By Kailey Wurr, Contributing Writer
Graphic by Shae-Lynn Henderson, EIC