Animal Handling & Facitlity Guidelines

Parvovirus in Dogs: What Volunteers Need to Know

While volunteers do not work with dogs actively recovering from Parvo (they are kept in staff-only quarantine), it’s possible that you may have interacted with a dog before symptoms appeared or before the illness was detected. Here’s what to know in that case—and how to protect your pets at home.

What is Parvo?
Canine Parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that primarily affects dogs’ gastrointestinal systems. It is not transmissible to humans, cats, or other animals—only dogs are at risk. It spreads through direct contact with an infected dog or indirect contact with contaminated objects such as food bowls, leashes, clothing, or even human hands. The virus is shed in the feces of infected dogs and can survive in the environment for months, making it especially persistent in places like kennels, parks, and shelters.

While dogs showing symptoms are immediately quarantined and treated by staff, exposure may occur before symptoms develop. That’s why basic hygiene is key to keeping everyone safe.

If You Handled a Dog Later Diagnosed with Parvo
To protect your pets at home, please follow these steps:

• Remove and wash your volunteer clothes (including socks and underwear) in hot water with bleach immediately after your shift.
  
  

• Disinfect your shoes or leave them outside until cleaned.
  
  

• Make sure your dogs are up to date on their Parvo vaccinations.
  
  

• Do not bring home any items (blankets, toys, etc.) that came from the shelter.
  
  

• Avoid interacting with your dog(s) until you’ve completed these steps.
  
  

Note: Parvo does not affect cats, so there is no risk to them.

Ongoing Precautions

• Always wash your hands after handling shelter dogs.
  
  

• Avoid wearing volunteer clothing when spending time with your own pets.
  
  

• If you ever feel unsure, ask staff—we’re here to help you stay informed and safe.
  
  

Thank you for helping us protect all pets—here and at home.
Your awareness and care play a big role in stopping the spread of contagious illnesses like Parvo. With simple precautions, you’re keeping the shelter and your own furry family safe.

Interacting with a FeLV+ Cat: What You Need to Know

If you socialize a cat who happens to be FeLV+ (Feline Leukemia Virus positive) in our care, here’s what that means for you and what to keep in mind, especially if you have pets at home.

What is FeLV?

FeLV is a virus that affects a cat’s immune system. It’s only contagious to other cats—not to people, dogs, or other animals. FeLV+ cats can still enjoy affection, playtime, and human companionship, and many live happy lives with proper care.

What to Expect During Your Visit

• Yes, you can pet them! Physical affection is totally safe—you won’t carry the virus yourself.

• They may be lower-energy than some of our other cats, or more prone to illness, but they still crave love and attention.

• Always wash your hands after interacting with them. Although this is a safe bet, please do not interact with any other cats in the shelter after interacting with them.

If You Have Cats at Home

FeLV can be spread between cats through:

• Saliva (like grooming or shared food/water bowls)

• Bite wounds

• Possibly litter boxes (through shared urine/feces)

To protect your own cats:

• Avoid cross-contamination: Wash your hands thoroughly after interacting with the FeLV+ cat.

• Don’t share personal items (toys, clothes with fur, bags, etc.) between your home cats and the shelter.

• If your cats are FeLV-negative and unvaccinated, be extra cautious. The FeLV vaccine can reduce risk but isn’t foolproof.

Cleaning & Hygiene

• Surfaces are cleaned regularly at the shelter, but you can always ask for pet-safe wipes or sanitizer if you’d like to wipe your hands or phone.

• The virus doesn’t survive long in the environment—basic hygiene is enough.

Thank you for spending time with our FeLV+ cats. Your attention and love mean the world to them—and to us. With simple precautions, you can help give them the social time they need while keeping your own pets safe.

Let us know if you have any questions—we're happy to help!