FAIRFAX, Va., July 1 (UPI) -- A Virginia animal shelter says it euthanized dozens of cats rescued from a woman to prevent the spread of a highly contagious and fatal virus.
When 75 cats rescued from a Springfield, Va., home in June were found to be infected with the respiratory disease calicivirus, all 80 cats at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter had to be euthanized Wednesday to prevent further spread of the infection, The Washington Post reported.
The need to euthanize all affected animals in a shelter is not uncommon policy, Scott Giacoppo, a spokesperson for the Washington Humane Society, said.
"It's an unfortunate situation, but it's not the first time we've heard of shelters resorting to this," Giacoppo said.
Cat adoptions at the shelter have been temporarily halted while staff cleans and disinfects the facility, spokesperson Mary Ann Jennings said.
"This has been very devastating for the shelter workers, and we are going to make sure we can accommodate cats safely again," Jennings said.
