The BC SPCA’s Williams Lake Branch has temporarily closed the cat and small animal areas of the shelter to the public as staff treat animals infected by ringworm.
The shelter is still open for dog adoptions, but cannot accept or adopt out cats, kittens or small animals at this time.
“Unfortunately cases of ringworm are inevitable, and when diseases occur in the community they are brought into the shelter through abandoned and surrendered animals,” says Dr. James Lawson, chief animal health officer for the BC SPCA. “It is especially challenging for shelters at this time of year because we receive so many abandoned and surrendered kittens, who are particularly susceptible to ringworm.” Dr. Lawson said the affected animals are being treated at the Williams Lake SPCA and the shelter hopes to fully reopen soon. “We’ll reopen the other sections as quickly as possible, but it is important that we take every precaution to ensure other animals are not exposed.”
Dr. Lawson reminds the public that spaying and neutering is an essential part of pet guardianship. “The BC SPCA takes in more than 6,000 abandoned or unwanted kittens during the summer and this wave of kittens creates many challenges, as we are seeing with these incidents of ringworm,” he says. “We urge people to do their part to keep animal populations under control in their communities.”
The changes at the shelter will not affect the Scotiabank and BC SPCA Paws for a Cause walk happening this Sunday, Sept. 9 at 11 a.m. at Boitanio Park, Williams Lake.