11/06/2025
If you have recently adopted a dog from the Humane Society please be aware of this. This is a very serious and scary situation for all. If you have a new dog from them and have any appointments booked with us in the next few weeks please call us ASAP so we can discuss the situation. If you ask me, I would say its also a good idea to avoid dog parks for awhile. You never know what dogs are not vaccinated. As always, we do require all dogs in our facility to be current on Rabies, Distemper and Bordetella!
We are saddened to share that we have ONE confirmed case of canine distemper and ONE life lost to this devastating disease.
Canine distemper is a contagious virus that affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Symptoms include fever, lethargy, coughing, and sneezing. Progressing symptoms include seizures, tremors, and paralysis.
The virus spreads through airborne exposure, such as coughing or sneezing, and through shared items.
On Monday, we proactively closed our dog kennels to deep clean with disinfectants proven to kill viruses. Now that we know what we are dealing with, we continue to monitor every dog in our care and are following guidance from the University of Wisconsin.
We will be conducting PCR tests for the high-risk dogs in our care. The tests cost about $75, and with weekly tests, the financial impact is SIGNIFICANT.
Thankfully, due to our vaccinate-upon-intake process and cleaning procedures, most of our dog population is medium to low risk.
Until further notice, we will not be adopting out in-shelter dogs, nor will we be accepting owner surrenders or strays. We have several dogs that were in foster care that will still be available for adoption.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, vaccinate your pets. Canine distemper is preventable, but once contracted, it can be devastating. Even with supportive care, about half of unvaccinated infected dogs do not survive.
We are reviewing all pets adopted in recent weeks, and if any risk is identified, we will reach out directly to the owners. However, we still encourage new adopters to monitor their pets and contact their veterinarian with any concerns.
Canine Distemper DOES NOT affect humans, cats, or most small animals.
Our staff is working around the clock to care for every animal, and we’re deeply grateful for everyone’s patience and understanding as we prioritize their health and safety.
How You Can Help:
These unexpected medical expenses place a significant financial strain on our shelter.
Consider donating today--> https://tinyurl.com/bddhd5sc
We are not out of the woods yet, but with time, care, and community support, we will get through this together. 💙