Parvo Outbreak at Waterbury Animal Shelter Means Dogs May Die

On Sept. 20, a message was posted on the Waterbury Animal Shelter's Facebook page that no one wanted to see: that the shelter was closed for the second time in as many months because of an outbreak of parvo.

Last time while the shelter was closed in August, dogs picked up in Waterbury were brought to area shelters until it reopened in early September. The day it reopened, those dogs were transported back to Waterbury and dogs who had been there the longest were killed to make room for the new dogs. In all, 10 dogs lost their lives that day.

Animal rescue advocates are hoping to avoid a repeat of that bloodbath on Oct. 3, when the shelter will again reopen. To that end they're working to find homes for the quarentined dogs now so they will have somewhere to go that day and won't have to be euthanized to make room for new impounds.

Available dogs include several young pit mixes, as well as two Chihuahuas, an Akita mix and a Chow mix.

The Waterbury Animal Shelter is located at 200 Municipal Road in Waterbury. They are open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and by appointment. 

Dogs who have been spayed or neutered cost $5 to adopt. Unaltered dogs cost $50, which includes a state voucher that covers a percentage the cost of the spay or neuter, as well as a distemper and rabies shot. There are several low-cost spay and neuter clinics, including theHope Clinic in Waterbury, that accept the voucher as payment in full for the work.

For more information on any of these dogs, call the shelter at 203-574-6909, email pawprints713@aol.com or call 203-984-1713.