KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — UPDATE (6/10): The Young-Williams Animal Center announced Monday that dog adoptions are available at 3201 Division Street starting at 2 p.m. Adoption fees for dogs and puppies are currently being waived.
Young-Williams Animal Village is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and is closed from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. for animal quiet time.
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UPDATE (6/7): The Young-Williams Animal Center said dog adoptions are available at the 6400 Kingston Pike Village location.
YWAC said adoption fees for dogs and puppies are being waived at this time.
"With a full shelter, it is critical to keep placing currently healthy animals – including those who have not been exposed or have been vaccinated against distemper – into homes in order to continue to control the animal populations, decrease the spread of disease and make space for those in need," YWAC said in a release.
Young-Williams Animal Village is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and is closed from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. for animal quiet time.
The animal center has not provided any updates on its Bearden location.
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ORIGINAL
The Young Williams Animal Center announced Tuesday that they had closed its location on Division Street until further notice after identifying more confirmed distemper cases.
They said after testing its animals at Division Street, they found additional distemper cases. These cases total to nine, including the confirmed ones from Bearden. YWAC announced Friday they had closed its Bearden location after a dog tested positive for distemper.
Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease with serious dog health implications. The virus attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of dogs, according to a release from YWAC.
The CEO of Young-Williams Animal Center Janet Testerman released the following statement:
"Young-Williams Animal Center is issuing a public health notice regarding confirmed cases of canine distemper within our shelter. In response to this situation, we are taking immediate and decisive actions to ensure the health and safety of all animals in our care and the community."
YWAC is asking Knoxville and Knox County residents to refrain from bringing stray dogs to the shelter. They said if you encounter a stray dog, do not attempt to catch or take the animal.
Instead, identify the nearest street sign or business and contact Young-Williams Animal Services at 865-407-2229 with the location and general description of the animal, including color, size and whether it's wearing a collar.
Dog adoptions at 3201 Division Street will be temporarily suspended until further notice. On Wednesday, dog adoptions will continue at the 6400 Kingston Pike location. Young-Williams said the intake of animals will be limited to cases affecting public health and safety.
Cat adoptions will proceed as usual at the Division Street location.
This is a developing story. We will update this story when we learn more information.
