THOMASVILLE, GA (WALB) -
Dog adoptions are back in full swing as a five week quarantine is lifted at a south Georgia animal shelter.
An outbreak of parvo shut down adoptions at the Thomasville-Thomas County Humane Society.
More than 100 dogs that survived are now ready for new homes.
The pictures to the right are the faces of some energetic puppies with a serious case of cabin fever.
"The good news is most everybody survived. They've been under quarantine now for five weeks and they are really ready to get out and get a home. So we really need people to come out and adopt," said Humane Society Director Ed Williams.
Last month, a Humane Society puppy tested positive for the canine parvo virus resulting in an immediate two week quarantine.
"It first started with one puppy that was detected with the parvo virus and of course standard operating procedure is to close the dog kennels, quarantine for two weeks, and see if anything else pops up," said Williams.
Right after the first two weeks ended, another puppy contracted the virus and the quarantine was extended. Until Thursday.
"When this first started, we had probably about 120, 130 dogs in the kennel and we still have over a hundred so unfortunately we lost a few to the parvo virus and it's primarily young puppies," said Williams.
While vaccination is key to prevent parvo and other viruses, Williams says there is a time when all puppies are vulnerable.
"There is a window of susceptibility there where the vaccination is not completely effective and mother's immunity is wearing off. And in that period if they're exposed to it than they can get it."
And Williams says the Thomasville shelter is not the only victim.
"I've heard that other shelters are under quarantine in south Georgia and north Florida for the same kind of thing. And we've had many reports from people coming in from the community saying that a puppy was dropped off from at their house and it looked sick and they had it tested and it was positive for parvo."
Williams says he thinks the wet weather and the changes in temperature have also played a role in spreading the disease.
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