The BC SPCA Educaton & Adoption Centre in Port Coquitlam is temporarily closed to the public while staff treat animals infected with ringworm.
Dr. James Lawson, chief animal health officer for the BC SPCA, said cases of ringworm are inevitable and are brought in to the facility through abandoned and surrendered animals.
"It is especially challenging for us at this time of year because we receive so many abandoned and surrendered kittens, who are particularly susceptible to ringworm," Lawson said in a release.
The infected animals are being treated at the PoCo facility, which should re-open soon.
"We'll reopen as quickly as possible, but it is important that we take every precaution to ensure other animals are not exposed," Lawson said.
He reminded the public that spaying and neutering is an essential part of pet guardianship.
The BC SPCA takes in more than 6,000 abandoned or unwanted kittens during the summer; the latest wave is proving more challenging due to the ringworm outbreak.
The temporary closure will not affect the BC SPCA Paws for a Cause walk happening this Sunday, Sept. 9 at noon at Lafarge Lake (19299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam).
