EP Animal Shelter Needs Donations

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI—William Muggle, the East Providence animal control supervisor, said Friday the animal shelter is under a quarantine after two puppies came down with canine parvovirus. Now, Channel 10 is reporting one of the dogs has died. The shelter also needs donations because the disease is highly contagious; blankets, towels and other supplies had to be thrown out due to the risk of spreading the disease. The two puppies were among the dozens of animals seized last week from a Riverside home. According to Muggle, the sick puppies belong to a litter of seven Catahoula hound dogs. They may be pure bred or mixes, he said.

Parvo is a highly contagious and often deadly illness, Muggle said. The shelter is doing its best to "provide as much supportive care as possible. But it's not a very good situation."

Click here for the Channel 10 story.

Patch asked Muggle to provide updates about the dogs' condition. He did not do so Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, the shelter is looking for help through donations. People can bring towels and kitten food and other supplies to 62 Commercial Way, East Providence 02914. Although the building is closed due to the quarantine, staff will meet people in the parking lot. Muggle said the shelter had to throw away blankets and towels that came into contact with the sick pups because it wasn't safe to launder them, and they need replacements.

Alternatively, cash donations can be sent to the Animal Shelter c/o East Providence Police, East Providence City Hall, 145 Taunton Ave., East Providence 02914.

None of the animals in the shelter can be adopted, due to the quarantine, he said. That will stay in effect until no animals show any symptoms, which will be at least 10 to 14 days. Then, the adoptions may be on hold due to legal issues. Last week, the animal control officers took 46 cats, dogs and other animals from the house at 26 Floyd Ave. The homeowner is facing charges. Seventeen puppies were in the seizure, plus "a lot of kittens," he said. He could not comment on the legal case or say whether the animals were being hoarded or part of a puppy mill.

The case is still under investigation, he said.