The quarantine on the Savannah-Chatham police’s Animal Control Shelter is expected to be lifted by the Georgia Department of Agriculture on Tuesday.
The facility was placed on minimal 14-day quarantine after an inspection May 7 by the Department of Agriculture. The inspection was requested by the Animal Control staff after several animals in the facility were found to be suffering from an upper respiratory illness.
On Wednesday, the Agriculture Department extended the quarantine after an additional dog was found with the illness.
However, inspectors acknowledged Animal Control’s diligence in the reporting, isolation of the affected dogs and the sterilization of the facility during the quarantine process, said Julian Miller, police spokesman.
The action by the Department of Agriculture means Animal Control will be able to have two out of three wings which house dogs and the cat area available for the intake of animals. Infected dogs are housed in the third wing, safely away from the other animals, while they are being treated, Miller said.
Adoptions will be allowed for animals in the facility that have met the adoption criteria and are past the five-day mandatory hold time.