SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - The Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center has halted adoptions after several stray animals tested positive for highly contagious diseases, shelter officials said Wednesday.

What began as a few cases in mid-April escalated into a full outbreak this week, prompting staff to convert the facility into a quarantine zone.

Executive Director Heather Cahillane said the virus has been difficult to contain, in part, because infected animals can appear healthy before showing symptoms.

“Yeah, these are higher numbers than we’ve seen in recent years,” Cahillane said. “It makes it difficult because you have to keep animals that are sick isolated.”

One dog passed an initial exam appearing healthy, only to fall sick later with parvovirus and expose other animals. A cat also tested positive for panleukopenia. Officials said most of the affected animals are strays from Springfield, Chicopee, and Holyoke with no vaccination history. One dog died at an emergency veterinary facility before ever reaching the shelter.

Cahillane added the outbreak has increased the workload for staff, who are now required to follow strict cleaning and protective equipment protocols.

“It takes up more space,” Cahillane explained. “Staff is cleaning and PPE, protective gear, to make sure they’re not spreading disease, so it just makes operations a little bit more difficult.”

Despite the strain, Cahillane said the community has rallied around shelter staff.

“People have been really receptive to knowing that this is tough on the staff as well as the animals,” Cahillane noted. “So people have been very kind, dropping by snacks and coffee and being supportive of the team.”

Officials said the shelter is still accepting stray animals, but it is asking owners who need to surrender a pet to contact other resources, including the Dakin Humane Society and Second Chance Animal Services, in the meantime. The shelter hopes to lift the quarantine by the middle of next week.

Officials said pet owners can help by ensuring their animals are up to date on vaccinations.

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