A Pee Dee animal shelter is closed due to an influenza outbreak

MARLBORO COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — An animal shelter in the Pee Dee is currently closed because of an influenza outbreak.

The Marlboro Humane Society said its quarantine tents will be up in the next few weeks and two dogs have already died because of the outbreak.

The no-kill shelter, located in Bennettsville, houses 53 dogs and 98 cats. It also has 20 dogs that are being fostered.

The shelter’s president, Jennifer Hyduke, said the influenza outbreak started about a month and a half ago and the shelter desperately needs foster homes for dogs because they can’t accept any into the shelter.

“We can’t take any dogs into the shelter right now because of quarantine,” Hyduke said. “Flu for dogs is just like the flu for humans. It is highly contagious. And can be fatal. We’ve lost two dogs because of it.” 

News13 couldn’t go inside the shelter because of the outbreak, but a volunteer, whose name was not released, described the nature of the dogs there.

“Some animals have bee you know; I say treated bad. But working with them, they are loving animals. Beautiful animals that need homes.”

Though you can’t adopt a dog right now, the shelter is in need of fosters, volunteers, and donations.

Here is a wish list, of things the shelter is in need of:

Pelletized Bedding (Tractor Supply)
Kitten and Adult Wet Food (Kitten Fancy Feast)
Wet Dog Food
Laundry Detergent
Clorox
Lysol Wipes
Paper Towels
Dish Detergent
Dog Treats
Enrichment Items like chew toys for dogs Nylabones and Cat toys
Blankets (New or Used)
Towels
Martingale Collars for dogs

For more information on how to sign up to volunteer or foster, click here.