The Humane Society of Indianapolis has temporarily suspended the acceptance of cats younger than a year because of an outbreak of a potentially fatal virus that weakens feline immune systems.
The number of feline distemper cases in recent weeks has been higher than usual, Martha Boden, humane society chief executive officer, said. The disease, which is similar to canine parvovirus, is highly contagious and can be fatal.
Younger cats are more susceptible to the disease; however, it cannot be transmitted to dogs or humans.
Cats more than 1 year old will continue to be accepted at the facility. Boden said she expects younger cats will be accepted again in two to three weeks.
We are encouraging those with kittens who would like to surrender them for adoption to keep them for the next few weeks and get them vaccinated. We will notify those customers as soon as we are accepting kittens again, Boden said.
The humane society says it will give any available supplies to customers willing to care for stray kittens while the shelters unable to accept them.
Posted: August 01, 2006, 5 a.m. EST