Las Vegas shelter shares plan to curb illness outbreak, foster healthy dogs

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Between needing more foster families to curb overcrowding, to an outbreak of canine influenza The Animal Foundation is asking the public for help.

“In the last couple of weeks, we’ve had over 900 animals come into the shelter,” CEO of ‘The Animal Foundation,’ Hilarie Grey shared with 8 News Now.

Following a large influx of animals coming into The Animal Foundation it’s no surprise that many of their dogs are sick.

Grey shared that they have over 100 dogs showing symptoms of an infectious respiratory disease; Two of which have already confirmed cases of canine influenza.

“Due to this unusually large number of animals, the space is at a premium and now that we have seen this respiratory disease in the shelter so we want to make sure we have space for the animals that need us the most,” Grey said.

As for why so many animals have come through their doors in the last couple of weeks, Grey said they’ve seen several hoarding cases along with animal control bringing in lost pets.

“We had a hoarding case of 36 dogs and another one of 100 cats from one household,” she said.

Grey and her team are unaware of how the canine influenza spread started but say their vet staff is taking matters very seriously.

“We know that it is spreading quickly and as contagious as it can be, it has a low morbidity rate,” she explained.

“Animals go through the symptoms and there’s a shedding period of that, but it is very treatable,” Grey added.

Those with knowledge of the canine influenza outbreak within the shelter, like Mesquite locals Theresa and Joseph Phillips, are still making the trip down to Las Vegas to foster.

“I filled out the application online and I wanted to help out,” Theresa Phillips shared.

“There are always concerns, but talking to those inside they told us that the dog we adopted may or may have not been exposed and to keep an eye out on it,” Joseph Phillips explained.

“We have a local vet in our town, so we’ll take her right over and have it taken care of if something rises,” he added.

As of now, The Animal Foundation is asking for a one-week fostering commitment. There is no cost as the shelter will provide food, crates, a leash, and a collar.
Those interested in fostering can find more information HERE.