Jefferson County SPCA caring for 25 puppies with parvovirus symptoms
The Jefferson County SPCA in Watertown says it received 25 puppies from one Jefferson County home, at least one of which has parvovirus, and is seeking disinfectant supplies and foster help.
By Caleb Mercer, ClickNNY North Country Desk
The Jefferson County SPCA is caring for 25 puppies from one Jefferson County home after at least one tested positive for parvovirus. The Watertown shelter is seeking bleach, disinfectant and temporary foster homes, the organization said in a Wednesday Facebook post.
The puppies are about 8 weeks old and came from multiple litters. They had been cleaned and vaccinated before diarrhea and other stomach symptoms appeared Wednesday, prompting testing. Shelter employees will foster the puppies while they recover.
The shelter’s operations director, Carrie Gilchrist, said the SPCA has never had that many puppies at one time and is hopeful most will recover. Parvovirus has no specific treatment, but supportive care can help manage symptoms, she said.
The puppies must complete a two-week quarantine without symptoms before they can be considered for adoption. The shelter said that could make them available in a little more than two weeks. People interested in adoption should contact the Jefferson County SPCA at 25056 Water Street in Watertown.
The SPCA also lists the shelter phone number as (315) 782-3260 and its email as info@jeffersoncountyspca.org. People seeking to donate supplies should call first for drop-off instructions. Foster applicants can begin through the organization’s volunteer page, which includes a required state companion animal training course. More information and the shelter’s wish list are available on the Jefferson County SPCA website.
The shelter previously dealt with canine parvovirus, feline panleukopenia and coccidia in 2024, prompting a temporary closure. The current puppies’ illness has not been linked to that earlier outbreak.
Reported by ClickNNY and reviewed by an editor before publication.
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