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Last Friday, we shared that a routine surveillance PCR test confirmed a case of canine distemper in a dog at APS on Thursday evening. We immediately paused dog movement, adoptions, and most dog volunteer activities. Taking these precautions very quickly gave us the time we needed to carefully evaluate the situation and proceed with the best information possible.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n After consulting closely with local veterinary experts and nationally recognized leaders in shelter medicine, we decided to partner with the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine Shelter Medicine Program. As one of the country\u2019s leading experts in infectious disease management for animal shelters, they are helping us develop a comprehensive response plan based on <\/span>current science, diagnostics, vaccination status, facility limitations, and\u00a0our\u00a0available resources<\/span><\/b>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What Happens\u00a0Next<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With support from the University of Wisconsin, we will begin by\u00a0testing every dog currently in\u00a0the shelter\u00a0this week.\u00a0Thanks to\u00a0this\u00a0partnership, we\u00a0can\u00a0obtain test\u00a0results\u00a0quickly and\u00a0at\u00a0a\u00a0significantly reduced cost, making this comprehensive assessment possible.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n By the end of\u00a0this\u00a0week, we expect to have a much clearer understanding of the health and risk status of our entire dog population.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Individualized Decision-Making<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Test results are only one part of the evaluation process.\u00a0Every decision will be based on a careful review of multiple factors, including:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Our goal is to make the best possible decision for\u00a0each\u00a0individual dog while protecting the health of the entire shelter population and our community.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Temporary Precautions\u00a0Continue\u00a0for\u00a0Now<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While we complete\u00a0testing and risk assessment, APS will continue\u00a0to\u00a0operate\u00a0under temporary precautions through at least Saturday, July\u00a04.\u00a0During this time:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We\u00a0anticipate\u00a0providing the community with a\u00a0meaningful\u00a0update by\u00a0Monday, July 6,\u00a0including\u00a0a\u00a0timeline for safely resuming adoptions, foster placements, volunteer activities, and other normal operations for dogs whenever possible.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n How You Can Help<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This response depends on all of us. Over the coming days, we will continue working alongside our volunteers, foster families, rescue partners, veterinary experts, and community to safely care for every animal in our shelter.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Comprehensive testing requires\u00a0additional\u00a0supplies, including PCR test kits, blood collection materials, personal protective equipment, disinfecting supplies, and other medical resources.\u00a0If you would like to support this effort, please consider\u00a0making a donation\u00a0to our\u202f<\/span>Healthy Shelter Fund<\/span><\/b><\/a>.\u00a0Every contribution helps us protect the health of the animals in our care while providing the best possible shelter medicine during this response.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Thank you for your patience, support, and continued commitment to the animals, volunteers, and staff of APS.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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