Prince Rupert, B.C. – Ringworm is proving to be a problem for two northern B.C. branches of the SPCA.

 

The Prince Rupert branch closed its doors Thursday due to a number of animals coming down with the fungal infection.

 

“Unfortunately cases of ringworm are inevitable, and when diseases occur in the community they are brought into the shelter through abandoned and surrendered animals,” says Dr. James Lawson, Chief Animal Health Officer for the BC SPCA. “It is especially challenging for shelters at this time of year because we receive so many abandoned and surrendered kittens, who are particularly susceptible to ringworm.”

 

The Williams Lake branch of the SPCA is also coping with ringworm. Staff members have temporarily closed down the cat and small animal areas of the shelter to the public due to the infection.   The shelter is still open for dog adoptions, but it’s not accepting or adopting out cats, kittens or small animals.

 

Lawson says animals are being treated and the shelters will reopen as soon as possible, but the SPCA is taking extra precautions to make sure no other animals are affected.