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Cat Care in Shelters

Guidelines for Dealing with the Panleukopenia Problem

Jacque Lynn Schultz, ASPCA

GUIDELINES FOR DEALING WITH THE PANLEUKOPENIA PROBLEM

1. All cage surfaces, including cage bars and bowl brackets should be cleaned as directed by the Adoptions Department director. All water bowls must be cleaned as well. Garbage pails should be bleached and disinfected along with any other items that come in contact with infected cats or their urine, feces, saliva, or vomit. Cages from confirmed Panleuk cases should be left vacant for several days and thoroughly bleached down. Any cages not in use in either the Holding or Adoption wards should be thoroughly bleached as well. Disposable litter boxes are to be used until further notice in both the cat wards and in foster situations.

2. When transporting cats in open wire cages, use bogus paper between the cages to prevent contact between the cats.

3. No bedding should be used until the panleuk problem is solved. If used, it must be bleached and disinfected. Any soft toys must stay with the same cat and at the time of adoption should be either sent home with the cat or thrown away.

4. All staff and volunteers must wear disposable gloves when handling cats. A new pair must be put on with each cat handled. After removing each pair of gloves, disinfect your hands. A Sanigizer dispenser can be found on the back wall of the cat ward for this purpose. Adopters should be warned to keep their hands out of the cages and must wear gloves when handling cats as well.

5. Effective immediately, all cats must be vaccinated at least two weeks prior to intake.

6. No adoption cats should be allowed to interact with the Public's pets--now more than ever.

7. Cats should not be permitted to run loose in the ward while their cage is being cleaned.

8. Until further notice, no staff or volunteers should bring adoption cats or kittens into their offices for socialization . This is to protect office foster cats, personal pets, and cats being used in ASPCA programs.

9. If you have foster cats in your office, it is advised that you stay out of the cat ward completely until 30 days after the last confirmed case. This is especially important if you are fostering kittens.

If you are fostering at home and have handled cats in the Adoption ward, be sure to change clothes and bathe before handling the foster cats. This is of primary concern with felines who were vaccinated less than 21days earlier.

Courtesy of

424 East 92nd Street
New York, NY 10128-6804
212-876-7700
www.aspca.org