Heel Thyself
The Washington Humane Society thinks it can decide the fate of 12,000 homeless animals without anyone looking over its shoulder. Too bad the District agrees.
Cover Story
Last fall, Cindy, an Australian cattle-dog mix, came to the animal shelter owned and run by the Washington Humane Society on Georgia Avenue NW. The shelter houses animals that were surrendered by their owners or rescued from abuse or neglect by the charity’s investigators. Once inside the modest storefront, Cindy moved into her own dog run in the basement with about a dozen other canines.
In Cindy’s early days at the facility, she didn’t like people petting her. If one of the workers put a hand out, Cindy turned her back, according to the Humane Society’s staff veterinarian, David Darvishian. But as the days went by, Cindy grew more comfortable. The staff let her out of her dog run in the basement to run around upstairs. Cindy improved so much that she was scheduled to go to a foster home to await adoption.
On a Friday in October, Darvishian stopped by Cindy’s dog run. Cindy came up to Darvishian and wagged her tail. She appeared happy and healthy.
The next day, Cindy began acting lethargic. She wouldn’t lift her head. And she didn’t have much of an appetite. She also began expelling bloody fluids—all classic symptoms of a potentially fatal gastrointestinal infection known as parvovirus.
Parvovirus, which is spread through dog feces, is not uncommon in shelters. In the early stages of the illness, the dog may eliminate yellow or gray feces, or feces streaked with blood. The animal then dehydrates quickly because of vomiting and diarrhea. Some dogs may experience projectile diarrhea until they die. Death can occur within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms.... Continued 
Issue of Mar. 26 - Apr. 1, 2004
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