Glenville, NY – At the end of October, a local animal rescue saved 39 cats from a trailer on the outskirts of Glenville and placed each kitten and adult cat with foster families throughout the region. Within weeks, several of the rescued felines fell seriously ill, prompting the rescue to issue an urgent health update.
Confirmed diagnosis and response
Veterinary testing confirmed the disease as feline panleukopenia, a highly contagious viral infection also known as feline distemper. The rescue emphasized that every cat entering its program receives a panleukopenia vaccine as soon as possible, and the rescued cats were no exception. However, the organization noted that vaccines cannot treat an infection that has already taken hold, and the exact moment of exposure remains unknown.
To limit further spread, the rescue is enforcing strict quarantine and isolation protocols for all affected homes. Foster families have been instructed to use medical‑grade disinfectants and follow rigorous sanitation procedures. The organization also confirmed that none of the currently adoptable animals in its care have been exposed.
Support for foster families
Experienced foster caregivers are providing intensive supportive care, including fluid therapy, nutritional support, and symptom monitoring. The rescue has offered the option for any foster to return their cat if they feel unable to manage the illness, acknowledging the emotional and logistical burden the situation places on volunteers.
“We are actively losing some of these precious cats,” the rescue said in its statement, “and we want our community to understand how this could happen despite our best preventive measures.” The group is consulting its broader rescue network and veterinary partners for ongoing guidance.
Community call to action
The rescue urged all pet owners in the Glenville area to ensure their animals are up to date on vaccinations, describing vaccination as the single most effective defense against panleukopenia. It also asked neighbors to support foster families caring for sick cats by offering kind words, donations, or assistance with supplies.
Local veterinarians echoed the rescue’s message, reminding owners that panleukopenia can survive in the environment for months and that thorough cleaning is essential. They recommended regular hand‑washing, limiting contact between healthy pets and any potentially exposed animals, and promptly reporting any signs of illness to a veterinarian.
What’s next?
The rescue continues to monitor the health of all cats in its program, providing daily updates to foster families and the broader community. While the outbreak is a heartbreaking setback, the organization remains committed to its mission of rescuing and re‑homing cats in need, and it hopes that heightened awareness will help prevent future cases.
Original reporting: CBS 6 WRGB Albany (local) — read the source article.
