Dog Foster Parents Needed to Help Deal with Kennel Cough Outbreak

Homeward Animal Shelter says that the dogs are showing up to their facility already infected with the mild illness.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Kennel cough is spreading through some local rescue dogs – and one shelter in particular is asking for assistance from the public to help handle the outbreak.

Homeward Animal Shelter has seen many dogs they’ve recently rescued from the pound come in with kennel cough.

The mild illness is very contagious, especially amongst dogs who are stressed about adapting to a new environment.

Homeward is having to send dogs to other shelters to quarantine, and everyone involved is having trouble finding space for all the pups.

They’re asking for folks to volunteer to take some of the animals on a short-term foster basis until the outbreak clears up.

“There’s been an increase in the number of dogs needing rescue, and so the kennel cough outbreak has definitely slowed things down, because obviously people are worried about their own pets getting sick, which is legitimate, so we’ll take any help we can get,” said Heather Clyde, operations director for Homeward.

Homeward did recently receive a facility upgrade, though, with A&B Roofing Improvements re-doing the shelter’s roof free of charge.