The Kamloops Daily News
Thursday, October 27, 2005

by Cam Fortems
Daily News Staff Reporter

Distemper
SPCA forced to put down 60 cats

The Kamloops SPCA shelter has been struck for a third time this year with a deadly feline disease that will result in the euthanization of about 60 cats and temporary closure of the facility.

Branch manager Jennifer Gore said the troubling outbreak of feline distemper is not unusual in animals shelters, but this year is the first time in Gore's six years here when it has hit the local facility.

Staffers don't know whether it was brought in by a lethargic stray kitten, which was accepted Oct. 17 and immediately put into isolation, or by some other means.

Following the kitten's death two days later, Gore said staff adopted stringent measures to prevent the spread of disease. When another young kitten died Wednesday morning, a decision was made to euthanize cats where vaccination could not be verified.

About 60 of 250 cats currently in the care of the SPCA were scheduled to be euthanized. Animals that won't be euthanized have been at the shelter more than 10 days (the period when vaccination becomes effective in stopping illness) or have a previous history at the shelter or are in outside foster care.

Cats are immediately vaccinated when they come to the SPCA shelter.

"We're cancelling all volunteers and minimizing movement of people who come through," Gore said of measures to isolate the deadly feline disease.

In the meantime, staff will scrub and disinfect the facility. Gore said SPCA employees will still be available by telephone to answer questions and help with problems.

Gore said the fact the shelter has been struck three times this year with feline distemper shows it is rampant outside.