MANATEE COUNTY, FL (June 27, 2025) – Manatee County Animal Welfare (MCAW) has suspended all feline intake at Bishop Animal Shelter following a confirmed outbreak of panleukopenia, a highly contagious and often deadly viral disease in cats.
“This is a serious and urgent situation,” said Sarah Brown, Director of Manatee County Community and Veterans Services. “Our shelter staff are doing everything possible, but they can’t face this alone. We’re calling on our community to help stop the spread. Get your cats vaccinated and help us protect vulnerable animals across Manatee County.”
To contain the outbreak and protect the public and shelter population, MCAW is taking the following steps:
- Administering and boosting FVRCP vaccinations for all shelter cats
- Implementing enhanced sanitation protocols using hospital-grade disinfectants
- Utilizing a mobile spay/neuter unit to prepare foster cats for adoption without returning to Bishop
- Hosting free vaccination clinics for the public to safeguard community cats
Cat Town, the county’s feline adoption facility, remains unaffected and fully operational. Bishop Animal Shelter anticipates a two-week pause in cat intake while deep cleaning, medical treatment, and containment efforts continue.
Panleukopenia, also known as feline distemper, is most dangerous to unvaccinated cats and kittens, with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, fever, lethargy, and in many cases, sudden death. The virus spreads through bodily fluids, contaminated surfaces, litter boxes, food and water bowls, and even clothing or hands.
How the public can help:
- Ensure your cats are fully vaccinated
- Keep cats indoors whenever possible
- Consider becoming a foster for healthy cats and kittens
- Spread awareness and encourage others to do the same
MCAW is urgently seeking foster families to help care for kittens impacted by the outbreak. These kittens need safe, temporary homes where they can grow, receive medical care, and eventually move on to adoption. Supplies, training, and veterinary support are provided to all foster caregivers.
For updates and vaccination clinic dates, please visit mymanatee.org/pets or follow Manatee County Animal Welfare on social media. To assist in emergency fostering please contact Lauren Tryon at [email protected].