Pneumonia Outbreak Prompts Quarantine At Douglas Co. Animal Shelter

DOUGLASVILLE — State officials have placed the Douglas County Animal Shelter under a mandatory quarantine due to a pneumonia outbreak among some of its animals, Douglas County officials said Thursday.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture ordered the quarantine after 14 dogs, slightly less than 10 percent of the canine population, were diagnosed with pneumonia, county officials said.

Cats and shelter staff were safe from the outbreak, county officials said.

Prior to the mandate, the shelter voluntarily closed Tuesday "in a proactive effort to safeguard against further spread," county officials said.

The quarantine is expected to last for two weeks, when officials said they will adhere to protocol and work to contain the illness from further spreading.

Animals in the shelter cannot enter or exit the building except for those being reclaimed, county officials said. Animal Control will open on an emergency-only basis and only injured, aggressive, or cases involving cruelty will be accepted, officials said.

"Our top priority is the health and welfare of the animals in our care," Douglas County Animal Services Director Vanessa Francikowski said in a news release. "We are taking swift and comprehensive action to address this outbreak and prevent further spread within the shelter. We are also working in unison with our shelter veterinarian and state veterinarian to address any further health concerns that may arise."