City of Greater Geraldton animal management facility nears capacity due to parvovirus outbreak in dogs

A Geraldton ranger says the infectious canine parvovirus outbreak has caused the City’s animal management facility to fill to the brink, and unable to accept any more surrendered dogs. The City of Greater Geraldton have halted surrenders at the facility after seeing an influx of dog handed in this winter, leaving the shelter nearing full capacity. Ranger Narketta Bridgeman said it was not unexpected to see the City’s animal management facility nearing capacity during the winter months as spikes in parvovirus became prominent. “I believe parvovirus is a reason for the increase,” she said. Ms Bridgeman said the pound was unable to take in surrendered animals because the facility had to separate the animals using quarantine protocols to avoid spreading the virus. “During winter, the rain brings parvovirus and we need to keep distance apart,” she said. “We can’t take as many dogs in, and it causes the facility to get full. We have to space animals out for infection control. “If people do vaccinate their dogs, the less parvovirus would be around.” Ms Bridgeman said the shelter had noticed an increase in surrendered animals around the city, but the ranger declined to specify the reasons stating they were “personal circumstances”. Geraldton Dog Rescue president Lenci Millan said the organisation had noticed increased surrenders compared to usual, but it was hard to comment as they only rehomed surrendered dogs through the City pound. Ms Millan said although the City was in the midst of a parvovirus outbreak, the increase of surrenders was most of all due to lack of care and apathy for pets, alongside the rising cost-of-living pressures. “We could all say COVID and the cost of living and rentals, but they’re excuses you’ll hear all the time,” she said. “The rental situation has made it harder because if they can’t find a rental for themselves, then the dog has got to go. “It’s bigger and it’s more than those excuses that people use, nobody contains them, nobody sterilises them and nobody cares.” Ms Millan said people needed to prepare to own a pet, and the increase of surrenders was largely due to people’s attitudes. “It’s where you put the priority,” she said. If you are interested in becoming an animal foster carer visit geraldtondogrescue.com.au.