Palm Springs Animal Shelter outbreak

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)- The Palm Springs Animal Shelter has temporarily stopped accepting cats and kittens after an illness outbreak at the facility. The pause will remain in effect through July 27 while staff treat sick kittens and thoroughly clean and sanitize the shelter.

Officials say the closure is a precaution to help contain the illness and protect other animals. During this time, no new cats or kittens will be accepted, allowing staff to focus on the animals already in their care. The shelter plans to resume normal intake once veterinarians determine it is safe to reopen.

Dan Rossi, the Executive Director of Palm Springs Animal Shelter says, “currently we have a situation going on where, it's mouth ulcers on tongues and mouths of, cats and kittens. It seems to be very, Transmittable between the animals."

Rossi says summer is a very busy time for cat intakes and that leads to more animals arriving at the shelter vulnerable.

"So we have medications, and if cats or kittens are having difficulties eating, we may, syringe feed. We're doing deep cleaning as well of all of our kennel areas to really stop the spread of this as well" Rossi said.

The shelter says staff are treating affected animals and deep cleaning cat areas, with the hope to reopen cat and kitten intake on July 27th.

Tanya Petrovna, the owner of Chef Tanyas Kitchen and owner of Chef Tanyas Kittens said "for keeping things clean, good old fashioned soap and water. You should always keep your pets with fresh water, especially now in summer to change those water bowls twice a day."

Petrovna also recommends separating new pets before introducing them to other animals, "You should always have a 14 day period keeping that new cat in a bathroom or an isolated area."

The shelter is asking people to hold on to stray cats until intake reopens.