Hit with a case of the dog flu (canine influenza virus), the Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society has put all dog adoptions on hold as of Monday February 6, 2017. The outbreak and hold has affected adoptions at 510 N. LaSalle St. and the Everyday Adoption Center in the South Loop PetSmart (1101 S. Canal St.)
This is not the first time that Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society has been forced to close for dog adoptions, but the closure this time is estimated at 3-4 weeks. During this time, all dogs in their care will be quarantined and medicated for the canine influenza virus. The organization is requesting donations to aide in the additional care & treatments.
Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) hit Chicago and the Midwest hard in 2015, and has since stuck around to infect more dogs in 2016, and now it seems it did not waste any time now surfacing in the early days of 2017.
A plea on the Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society facebook page urges donations and not just the monetary kind. “Since all the dogs at The Anti-Cruelty Society are now on medical treatment for canine influenza virus (dog flu), we are in need of tasty food to help get the dogs to take their medications!” And what tasty foods do they find most helpful?
“We’re specifically looking for hot dogs and liverwurst. If you are able to donate to help us purchase these items, please visit anticruelty.org“
Financial assistance can also be made by sending a check to the Anti-Cruelty Society office at 157 W. Grand Ave. Chicago, IL 60654. The Society helps more than 20,000 animals each year, and although they are eager to resume dog adoptions, cat and kitten adoptions are unaffected by the dog flu outbreak and adopters are welcome to come visit the many adoptable felines.
*Related: Dog flu outbreak kills 5 Chicago dogs
