SYDNEY, N.S. – The Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has stopped accepting animals from the public as it contends with illness and tries to improve conditions at its shelter in Sydney.
Kristin Williams, the society’s executive director, said a veterinarian confirmed two dogs at the shelter were suffering from parvovirus, which is caused by exposure to infected feces.
She said about half of the shelter’s animals also required treatment for parasites, fleas and mites.
Williams said several audits were conducted after a provincial Supreme Court judge granted the society interim control of the shelter last week in an ongoing dispute with local officials over the standard of care.
She said the shelter has transferred 35 cats and 12 dogs to a facility in Halifax and planned to remove another 30 cats and six dogs to shelters elsewhere in the province.
Williams said the facility needs upgrades including painting, furnace repairs and electrical work. It also needs to build additional outdoor runs used for animals when the building is cleaned.
She said the shelter also needs to hire up to four animal care workers and find administrative staff to run the facility, because three workers quit.
She said it would likely take at least another couple of weeks before the shelter can be brought up to an acceptable standard.
“I can’t say for certain how long it’s going to take or how much it’s going to cost.”
