Update

ACAPL staff have been in contact with medical experts and veterinarians in Ashtabula County, at UC Davis, and at Cornell University. We want to be sure that everyone understands certain things...

-The media reports on the presence of strep zoo at Ashtabula County Animal Protective League do not tell the entire story. If you have questions or concerns, you should contact your own veterinarian and/or personal physician. We are working to get the story out there so that everyone is aware of any and all risks, no matter how small. We feel very strongly about maintaining trust with our community and we want to be open and communicative with you.

-The representation of our staff as tossing blankets on wet floors is not entirely accurate. Staff report to work EARLY in the morning to disinfect and clean. They do a very good job and engage in strict cleaning protocols that have effectively kept illnesses like parvo at bay for over a year. The floor, despite being sealed, is a flat concrete floor and retains moisture no matter how diligent efforts are to dry it. We have raised dog beds but we are not able to use them in all kennels because (1) some dogs eat them; and (2) some dogs use them as steps to climb out of the kennels.

-Our kennels are not "cold." There are areas of the kennels that may be cold and damp (allowing strep zoo a place to grow), but the ventilation system installed just two years ago works well to keep the facility at a comfortable 65 degrees. The temperature has been temporarily increased during this quarantine period to see if it will help with the dampness in the concrete.

-Strep zoo is an opportunistic infection. It has only affected dogs with (unrelated) upper respiratory infections. Animals that were at the Ashtabula Towne Square Mall Adoption Center were not "contagious," as we do not send dogs with upper respiratory infections to the mall location.

-The mall adoption center has rigorous cleaning protocols and is not a concern, as far as infection, because the animals to not live on a concrete floor, but rather in individual cages that have sufficient drying time between uses.

-The information we have gathered indicates that the likelihood of this infection passing to cats or humans is HIGHLY UNLIKELY. NO cats at ACAPL have exhibited symptoms. All the professionals that we consulted agree that the setup at the shelter protects our cat population from infection.

-Further, the likelihood of this infection passing to humans is even more UNLIKELY. ACAPL is closing its doors to the public out of an overabundance of caution. The incubation period for this infection is two weeks...and we are more than two weeks out from our last active case, so it is doubtful anyone could be exposed by casual contact with any of our animals. Anyone with any concerns, however, should talk to their own physician.

-This infection is like any other in a shelter environment. When you bring in strays...and animals are surrendered to us from all over the county...you have uncontrolled variables that you just have to deal with. We are in contact with professionals who have dealt with this infection in the unique situation of a kennel environment and we will do whatever is recommended to eliminate any and all risk. An operational consultant will be visiting our shelter to give us advice on how to handle this new illness and prevent it from reappearing.