Feline parvovirus in kitten shuts city pound to public

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on November 25, 2025.

Animal Pound Facility services will be closed to the public for the next 10 days to reduce risk of transmission of illness.

“A PCR test performed on an ill kitten resulted in a weak-positive confirmation of feline parvovirus/panleukopenia,” said manager of parks Orlando Whetter with the city’s parks and recreation department. Parvovirus is also known as feline distemper.

He explained that staff took immediate steps to isolate and monitor any cats who may have been exposed to the kitten.

Biosecurity protocols have been followed and both kittens and adult cats in the Animal Pound Services facility have been vaccinated, which is anticipated to greatly reduce the likelihood of transmission.

“Kittens under four months old are at a higher risk upon contracting the virus. The shelter currently has 16 kittens in this age group,” said Whetter. “While adult cats can contract the virus, most have stronger immune systems and may only act as carriers. It is likely that one of the newly admitted intake cats was shedding the virus upon arrival, resulting in exposure.”

The public will be unable to access the facility for the next 10 days for an isolation period and are asked to postpone trapping or surrendering cats temporarily, to assist staff in managing the situation effectively.

Staff will be monitoring other cats for symptoms and Bylaw Enforcement will still be able to access the shelter.