187 cats euthanized over virus at Missouri shelter

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- Almost 200 cats were euthanized this week at a Humane Society shelter in Springfield after a new cat brought in a deadly virus.

The Southwest Missouri Humane Society said Wednesday a stray cat was carrying the highly contagious Calici virus.

Kennel Technician Pat Levy said it broke her heart to have to put down all 187 cats at the shelter in northwest Springfield, one of two shelters operated by the group.

"It's very contagious, so when the stray came in with the virus, it spread to the other cats like wildfire," Levy said.

"They put all my kids to sleep," she said.

The virus can lead to a painful death for cats, causing upper respiratory infection, pneumonia, mouth ulcers and sometimes lameness.

The Humane Society also had to throw out stockpiles of cat food and litter because of possible contamination. It asked for public donations for new supplies and plans to reopen the shelter for cat adoptions Monday

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Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com