Greater Birmingham Humane Society suspends intake + adoption of dogs due to virus outbreak

The Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) has confirmed cases of Canine Pneumovirus (CnPnV) in dogs at the Jefferson County Animal Care and Control facility in Woodlawn. 

As a result, they are closing all canine intakes in Woodlawn and temporarily suspending the adoption of all dogs.

Read on for more information. 

Woodlawn facility closing temporarily on August 15

“Due to the highly contagious nature of the CnPnV virus, and to protect citizens’ pets and dog-related businesses from any further spread, we will close healthy stray canine intake at the Woodlawn facility beginning Thursday, August.”

 Russell Johnson, Chief Medical Officer, DVM

All canine intakes will move to the GBHS Snow Drive facility. 

These include:

• Dangerous dogs
• Severely injured dogs
• Canines seized by law enforcement

Cats and kittens will continue to be accepted at the Woodlawn location.

GBHS has also suspended the adoption of all dogs. 

GBHS confronts highly contagious virus

According to a GBHS news release, CnPnV is highly contagious. Most dogs have no pre-existing immunity, which causes the infection rate to be very high. 

Symptoms, which are similar to canine flu, include:

• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes
  

The good news? CnPnV is generally not fatal. Most dogs experience coughing for one to two weeks, while others progress to pneumonia and require in-hospital care.

The Woodlawn facility has a current population of more than 225 dogs. They are currently providing medical care to multiple dogs suffering from CnPnV. 

How you can help 

Here are some supplies you can donate to the GBHS to help during this time:

• Enrichment toys
• Hand towels
• Non-rawhide chew toys
• Peanut butter
• Washcloths

GBHS is working to contain the virus

“This will be a temporary inconvenience for animal care and control services, but the risk to our citizens’ pets and to owners of pet-related businesses is too great if we do not begin containment of this virus immediately. 

We have a major holiday approaching, and it is imperative that we do our best to stop this virus from infecting our community’s pets and private vet practices, groomers, doggie daycares, and boarding facilities.” 

Allison Black Cornelius, Chief Executive Officer, Greater Birmingham Humane Society

Shelter medicine officials Cynda Crawford, DVM and Brendan Bergquist, DVM have advised GBHS officials the temporary closure may last as long as six weeks. 

GBHS has stated they will re-open seven days after the last dog at Woodlawn breaks with the virus.

Below is a press conference held by GBHS to address dog lovers’ concerns.

Follow GBHS on Facebook and Instagram for updates.