SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – More than 100 people brought their dogs to the Second Chance Community Vet Hospital in Springfield Saturday to get their dogs protected from the deadly viral disease, “parvo.”

The Parvovirus causes a dog to get sick very quickly with symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea. A puppy can die within 48 hours, after the onset of symptoms.

“We wanted to protect her from Parvo and so that she’s a healthy puppy,” dog owner Samara Guess told 22News.

It’s important to make sure you’re getting your puppy vaccinated every three to four weeks, up until 20 weeks of age. You should also follow up with a booster a year later.

Second Chance Saturday was all about protecting dogs in Springfield from the parvovirus. They said getting vaccinated is the only way to ensure your dog remains parvo-free.

“Without treatment and sometimes even with treatment they can die very quickly,” veterinarian Jennifer Johnson explained. “But the good news is it’s almost 100 percent preventable with the vaccination. So for $5, you can keep little guys like this nice and safe.”

Dr. Johnson told 22News, if your dog hasn’t completed the series of parvo vaccinations yet, you should avoid taking your dog to public places where the virus could be present, like a dog park.

The virus can live in the ground for up to a year and it’s resistant to weather changes, and most cleaning products. You could also put your dog at risk if you walk into your home after stepping on infected feces.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Parvovirus is a very contagious disease, that attacks a dog’s intestinal system.

“They can get very sick very fast,” said Dr. Jennifer Johnson of Second Chance Animal Services.

In the past two weeks, there have been three reported cases in Springfield, and one was deadly.

Second Chance Animal Service told 22News that a puppy seen at the Community Veterinary Hospital on Mulberry Street tested positive for parvovirus on Tuesday. Sadly, the puppy died shortly after the vet visit.

A dog can pick up parvovirus through direct contact with an infected dog or contaminated object.

“Parvo can also be brought into the house by the soles of your feet,” explained Julie Sullivan of Second Chance. “It can be on your shoes if you’re going to a dog park, or walking on the sidewalk and step in feces. Then, it can be brought into your home.”

Symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea with blood, or weight loss. It mostly affects unvaccinated dogs and young puppies. If you plan on taking your puppy to a dog park or another public place, you’ll want to make sure they are vaccinated for parvovirus first.

“We just want to make sure that puppies get their initial vaccine between six and eight weeks of age,” said Dr. Johnson. “Then, it needs to be boostered every three to four weeks until they are 16 weeks old. After that, they get a booster at one year, and then adult dogs will get boostered every one to three years.”

Dr. Johnson told 22News, that parvovirus is almost completely preventable with this vaccine. If you don’t know if your dog has been vaccinated, you can always take it to the vet for another shot – it won’t hurt them.

Second Chance offers a walk in vaccination clinic every Tuesday from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. A parvo shot is $12.

NORTH BROOKFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Some homeless pets who were in the path of Hurricane Dorian are now safe in Massachusetts.

Staff from Second Chance Animal Services traveled to Delaware Tuesday to pick up 17 cats that had been evacuated from a shelter in Hilton Head, South Carolina, ahead of Hurricane Dorian. They arrived to Second Chance’s Almost Home Transport facility in North Brookfield late Tuesday night and are now under quarantine for 48 hours.

Second Chance Animal Services Development Director Lindsay Doray told 22News the cats were evacuated from the shelter so that there could be room for other animals that will be temporarily displaced by the storm.

“These animals are now going to find loving homes up here and they’re going to have space to take in those that need it until their owners can get back into the area,” Doray said. “We did actually take in special needs animals. We have a cat here with one eye, we took in a cat that has some heart issues, because those are the ones that really needed us the most.”

Much of South Carolina’s coast was issued a mandatory evacuation order September 2. Doray says they’re on standby just in case they need to take in more four-legged evacuees.

“We’re happy to help out in these sorts of disasters and things because these animals need a place to go,” she said.

With the extra animals, comes a need for donations from the public. Anyone wishing to help with the cost of transport and medical care can learn more by clicking here.

“These animals that are coming in need to have their medical needs met before they are put up for adoption,” Doray explained. “So it does add an additional burden onto our organization and the shelter to care for these in addition to the ones that are already in our care and going to be coming in. We don’t slow down for this, we just accommodate more and kind of deal with the waves.”

Those interested in adopting one of the Hurricane Dorian evacuee cats should fill out an adoption survey by clicking here.

Second Chance Animal Services has a veterinary hospital in Springfield and an adoption center in East Brookfield.