Walker County Animal Shelter temporarily shuts down due to parvovirus case

MGN

WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) —  The Walker County Animal Shelter is temporarily closed after a stray animal tested positive for parvovirus.

Staff said a juvenile stray came in less than a week ago and later showed signs of the virus.

The shelter will stay closed until October 6, 2025, for deep cleaning and monitoring.

While all animals are vaccinated upon intake, the shelter is an open-intake facility.

That means unvaccinated strays can sometimes bring in illness.

The shelter also doesn’t have a quarantine area, making isolation harder.

During the closure, staff will sanitize the entire shelter, inside and out.

They will also monitor all animals for symptoms.

The shelter is working closely with local veterinarians and the Georgia Department of Agriculture to help ensure the safety of their animals.

Animal Control will continue normal operations during this time.