The BC SPCA’s Prince Rupert Branch is temporarily closed to the public as staff treat animals infected by ringworm.
“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 Prince Rupert SPCA and the shelter hopes to reopen soon.
“We’ll reopen 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.”
While the shelter has closed to the public temporarily, it will not affect the Scotiabank and BC SPCA Paws for a Cause walk happening this Sunday, Sept. 9 at 12 noon at Mariners Park, Prince Rupert.