PRATT, KS (May 30, 2007) – The Kansas Animal Health Department; United Animal Nations (UAN) and the State Animal Rescue Team (SART) are working to help the Pratt County Humane Society care for an influx of animals displaced by a recent tornado in Greensburg and to contain an outbreak of canine parvovirus at the shelter.

According to Debra Duncan, Director of the Animal Facilities Inspection Program with the Kansas Animal Health Department, Pratt County Humane Society staff offered to care for 108 dogs and cats displaced by the May 4 tornado until they could be reunited with their families or adopted into new homes. But shelter staff and volunteers soon became overwhelmed by the additional animals.

Duncan  asked United Animal Nations to provide animal care and sheltering assistance for all of the animals at the shelter through its volunteer-driven Emergency Animal Rescue Service . Currently several volunteers with UAN are providing direct care to the animals; at least 20 more are expected to arrive in the coming days.

“This is a small shelter with a very dedicated group of volunteers, and they quickly became overwhelmed by dozens of additional animals,” Duncan  said of the Pratt County Humane Society. “The Kansas Animal Health Department and United Animal Nations are working together to help the shelter and the community through this crisis.”

“UAN has a 20-year track record of providing emergency sheltering to animals displaced by natural disasters,” said UAN President and CEO Nicole Forsyth. “With our network of 3,200 volunteers in the United States and Canada, we are prepared to give these animals the tender loving care they so desperately need until this crisis is over.”

The Kansas Animal Health Department placed the Pratt County Humane Society under quarantine on May 25 after several dogs were diagnosed with parvovirus, a highly contagious canine disease. Members of the public are asked to avoid dropping off any animals at the Pratt County Humane Society shelter until the quarantine is lifted on or around June 10.

“We are being exceptionally cautious and taking every step possible to prevent the spread of this disease and to treat any dogs who become ill,” Duncan  said. “Parvovirus is very common in animal shelters and the dogs who came in from Greensburg were already stressed and vulnerable.”

Symptoms of parvovirus include lethargy, vomiting, lack of appetite, stomach discomfort and diarrhea. Puppies are extremely vulnerable. If your dog is exhibiting signs of parvovirus, contact your veterinarian immediately.

MEDIA CONTACT: Alexis Raymond, (916) 429-2457.

The Kansas Animal Health Department ensures the public health, safety and welfare of Kansas ‘ citizens through prevention, control and eradication of infectious and contagious disease and conditions affecting the health of livestock and domestic animals.

Founded in 1987, United Animal Nations is North America’s leading provider of emergency animal sheltering and disaster relief services and a key advocate for the critical needs of animals.

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