The Ontario County Humane Society has confirmed that its Happy Tails shelter will reopen on February 27, following a deadly outbreak of canine parvovirus (parvo) linked to a cruelty case in Geneva. The virus, which is highly contagious and often fatal in puppies, claimed the lives of six dogs at the shelter.
According to a statement from the humane society, no new cases have been reported in the past week, and the remaining 48 dogs at the facility are currently showing no symptoms. Staff members continue to implement strict health and safety protocols to prevent further spread of the disease.
The shelter received an outpouring of community support, with more than 850 donated items arriving through Amazon in recent days. Financial contributions have also been critical in covering veterinary expenses, and the humane society continues to accept donations through its website at www.ontariocountyhumanesociety.org/donate.
Officials also noted that additional charges are being investigated in connection with the Geneva cruelty case that introduced the virus to the shelter.
The humane society is urging pet owners to ensure their dogs are vaccinated against parvo, which remains a significant threat to unprotected animals.
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