The Squamish branch of the B.C. Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is closed temporarily to give staff a chance to treat animals that may be affected by ringworm.
It's not known how long the shelter's closure, announced in a statement issued on Thursday (Sept. 6), will remain in effect. We'll reopen as quickly as possible, but it is important that we take every precaution to ensure other animals are not exposed, Dr. James Lawson, chief animal health officer with the B.C. SPCA, said in the statement.
Marika Donnelly, Squamish SPCA branch manager, on Wednesday (Sept. 12) told The Chief that shelter staff were taking samples from each of the shelter's 30 cats for testing. She said no cases of ringworm have so far been discovered, but that because some were exposed to the malady, the closure is necessary as a precaution.
Lawson said cases of ringworm are inevitable. The malady usually comes to shelters when infected animals are brought in from the community, he said.
The Squamish SPCA still has kittens available for adoption at Bosleys, Garibaldi Veterinary Hospital andEagleview Veterinary Hospital, officials said.
While no precise date for re-opening has been set, I'm hoping that we'll be open again in a couple of weeks, Donnelly said.
The closure will not affect the Scotiabank and B.C. SPCA Paws for a Cause walk on Saturday (Sept. 15) at noon at Pavilion Park. The event will go ahead has planned.
For more information, visit www.spca.bc.ca
