Arizona dog shelter closes due to sick animals

(CNN) - An Arizona dog shelter is temporarily closing its doors after a possible viral disease outbreak among its dogs.

A spokesperson for the shelter says eight dogs have already tested positive for the virus.

However, they've had to put down five dogs.

The East Valley Shelter is closing on Monday, October 31, 2022 because it believes there may be an outbreak of distemper, a highly contagious and possibly deadly virus to dogs.

"Distemper" affects a dog's respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous system.

Furthermore, the shelter already had 8 positive cases and put down five dogs.

"I'm a little nervous, but I'm excited. I just want to get her out of here to a safer environment where she can get well," Kristine Nutt, who adopted a dog named "Samantha" before the closing, spoke.

How this will affect the shelter from now until closing

Though the virus remains present, the shelter is remaining open through the weekend for free adoptions.

They're waiting to close because the lab they use doesn't open over the weekend.

Then, they'll use these tests for all the dogs on Monday.

"We're are hoping that the dogs who have been here for a long time, who have been vaccinated, they've gotten their boosters, we're hoping the public can come in and adopt them, get them out of here," said Kim Powell, Spokesperson for MCACC.

What to do

People are signing waivers and the shelter gives out advice on how to care for a dog, should it show signs or test positive.

"Make sure your dog at home is fully vaccinated and then give some time. Give three to five days until the dogs can fully introduce themselves to each other. They may isolate one in a different room," Powell explained.

However, Nutt already knows the risks.

She has taken steps to ensure her dogs at home are safe, and is taking Samantha to the vet, before going to her forever home.

"I really felt like it called at my heart to come down and adopt," Nutt described.