Free vaccine clinics hope to prevent spread of parvovirus at Verona Street shelter following deadly outbreak – 13WHAM-TV

Free vaccine clinics hope to prevent spread of parvovirus at Verona Street shelter following deadly outbreak

by Carleigh Minor

The first of three free parvovirus vaccine clinics was held Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, at the Rochester Community Sports Complex following a deadly parvovirus outbreak at the Verona Street animal shelter. (Photo by Carleigh Minor/WHAM, Dec. 29, 2023)

Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) Rochester Animal Services (RAS) is taking action to protect pets following a deadly parvovirus outbreak at the Verona Street animal shelter.

Friday, RAS held the first of three free vaccine clinics taking place over the next month at the Rochester Sports Complex, encouraging anyone with a dog to attend.

"It's just like a child," said local animal advocate Suzanne Nugent. "These diseases are contagious very contagious, and distemper and parvo (are) killers."

"Parvo, it can stay our in the environment for up to a year," explained Amy Bianchi, outreach coordinator & assistant supervisor of animal control for Rochester Animal Services.

The virus can be spread easily through direct contact with infected dogs, feces and contaminated surfaces.

"It can be passed very easily, and there's only certain things that will kill it," Bianchi said. "Bleach is one of the things that will kill it."

During the quarantine at Verona, we're told 14 asymptomatic dogs have been fostered in homes, and 29 remain in the shelter.

Vaccination and other measures including good hygiene help dogs avoid a parvovirus infection, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

"You could be walking in a park not even with your pet, step where there may be parvo, where you wouldn't be able to see it, go home, step on your floor, and your pet steps there and licks its paws. You could catch parvo (that way)," Bianchi explained. "It's pretty easy to catch. It's very hard to kill."

The virus is silent, but can be deadly. The AVMA said most deaths from parvovirus occur within 48 to 72 hours after signs first appear.

"Get here for your free vaccine. That is your number one preventative," Bianchi said. "When you have new puppies, they need a whole series (of vaccines). If they haven't had any of them, don't bring them around other dogs. Don't bring them to parks. Take off your shoes when you come in the house. (Things) like that."

The dog area at the Verona Street shelter is currently closed to the public until Jan. 2 to prevent any further spread.

If you missed Friday's clinic, there's still two more being held Friday, Jan. 5 and Jan. 19 at the Rochester Community Sports Complex on Smith Street.

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Free vaccine clinics hope to prevent spread of parvovirus at Verona Street shelter following deadly outbreak - 13WHAM-TV