Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control is suspending all cat and kitten adoptions and intake immediately amid a disease outbreak.
Spokesperson Holly Pasquinelli said feline panleukopenia is always in the environment and they will occasionally see cats that come in with the disease.
"But we have never seen an outbreak in our community, in our shelter, quite like this before," she said. "And it is quite concerning."
She said suspending the adoptions of cats and kittens will help stop the spread both in the shelter and out in the community.
Panleukopenia is a preventable disease if cats are vaccinated. It spreads when a cat comes into contact with infected feces, vomit, nasal discharge or other bodily excretions. It does not affect people or other types of animals.
Symptoms of panleukopenia are fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea and eventually it can lead to death. Pasquinelli said the best thing to do is monitor for those symptoms and, if you notice them, call Animal Care & Control immediately.
Adoptions will be suspended until August 23, or it is determined safe by shelter staff. Intake will be suspended until September 1, or until the shelter can return to normal operations safely.
Anyone who has adopted a cat or kitten from the shelter since August 1 is encouraged to monitor them for symptoms.
Humane Fort Wayne has also suspended their cat and kitten intake.
