East Ridge Animal Shelter closes amidst disease outbreak

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) — The East Ridge Animal Services Department and Animal Shelter is temporarily closed as of Wednesday, May 22. This is due to the outbreak of an undetermined illness, according to city officials.

The shelter has halted all adoptions at this time.

East Ridge officials said they expect the closure to last about two weeks, or 14 days. This will allow staff to quarantine animals to stop the spread of the disease and treat those that are sick.

They added that the disease has not spread to other animals outside the facility at this time, and there is no risk to the general public.

The animal shelter will resume normal operations on June 5, the city stated.

East Ridge Animal Services will still run dispatch calls as needed, but the staff cannot intake animals until the quarantine period has ended.

Stay up to date with the East Ridge Animal Services Facebook page.