Contagious Outbreak Halts Cat Intake at Twin Falls Animal Shelter

Ringworm Outbreak Halts Cat Intakes at Twin Falls Animal Shelter

According to a press release from the Twin Falls Animal Shelter, a ringworm outbreak has forced the shelter to indefinitely halt all cat intakes for at least three to four weeks. The outbreak, which began approximately two months ago, has affected the entire intake area of the shelter, leading the shelter to take action to contain the situation.

What is Ringworm?

Ringworm, also known as dermatophytosis, is a contagious fungal infection that impacts the skin, hair, and nails of pets. Debra Blackwood, executive director at the shelter, explained,

“We have been unable to isolate it due to the high volume of cat intakes, mainly strays. As a result, our shelter needs to halt all cat intakes as much as possible to monitor the current population for any new outbreaks and to keep any new cats from getting in contact with any ringworm currently in our building.”

Collaborative Efforts to Address the Outbreak

The Twin Falls Animal Shelter is working closely with the Best Friends Animal Society’s veterinary team to manage the outbreak. Dr. Erin Katribe, a veterinarian with Best Friends’ National Shelter Medicine team, stated,

“By limiting intake, we can reduce the exposure of healthy cats to this preventable disease and ensure that the shelter staff can devote the necessary time and resources to their current population.”

Community Support Needed

The shelter is asking for public assistance during this challenging time. Residents who have adopted or fostered cats from the shelter in the past two months are encouraged to examine their pets for any patches of hair loss, a potential sign of ringworm.

Additionally, the shelter urges the community to:

• Foster exposed cats for at least two weeks.
• Exhaust all efforts to locate the owners of stray cats, such as posting on social media platforms, before bringing them to the shelter.

“Ultimately, any new cats brought into the shelter are at high risk for euthanasia. If we have any cats break with ringworm, we are unable to house them and treat them at this moment,” Blackwood said.

Can Ringworm Spread to Humans?

Ringworm is transmissible from cats to humans. This zoonotic fungal infection can spread through direct contact with an infected pet or contaminated surfaces. To minimize the risk, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling a cat or cleaning its environment. Wearing gloves and avoiding face-touching are also important precautions. If you notice red, scaly, or itchy patches on your skin after exposure, consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment. For more details, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) page on ringworm.

Next Steps for the Shelter

To ensure the safety of current and future intakes, the shelter will eventually shut down for a thorough deep clean. While no specific date has been set, this step is crucial for eradicating the fungal infection.

For now, the shelter is exploring temporary solutions, including using a construction trailer to intake healthy cats. With support from the community and partner organizations, they hope to mitigate the impact of this outbreak and protect the local cat population.