In the wake of a parvovirus outbreak at the Verona Street Animal Shelter in Rochester that led to the death of at least 11 dogs, the shelter is adjusting its hours of operation.
In a statement Thursday, Mayor Malik Evans said that by expanding visitation outside the traditional workday, crowding will be reduced at the shelter.
By increasing visitation hours, the shelter hopes to accommodate more people’s schedules so that animal adoption is more accessible.
Under the current schedule, the shelter closes at 3:30 p.m. on weekdays and is closed on Sundays. From Dec. 31 to June 30, the new schedule will be:
- Noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with the exception of the third Tuesday of each month when the shelter will be closed for staff and volunteer training.
- Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
- The shelter will be closed on Fridays.
The parvovirus outbreak comes less than five months after the shelter temporarily closed due to a kennel cough outbreak.
Maggie Cain from the advocacy group Voiceless of Verona Street said in an email that health concerns are an ongoing problem at the shelter, and there is nowhere to quarantine the animals when there are health concerns.
In response to the outbreak, shelter representatives issued a strong advisory for dog owners to ensure their pets' vaccinations are up to date. Supporting this initiative, Rochester Animal Services is planning on hosting three free distemper/parvovirus vaccination clinics for dogs belonging to Rochester city residents.
For more information or to inquire about fostering dogs, call (585) 428-7274 or email the shelter at AnimalServices@CityOfRochester.gov.
