ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Operations have been halted at the St. Louis County Animal Control and Adoption Center as the facility responds to a case of canine parvovirus.

A sign placed on the front door on Wednesday lets anyone visiting looking to adopt a dog that they’ll have to come back on another day.

“My clinical vet team did an outstanding job of identifying these cases early on, therefore we were able to effectively isolate these individuals so we could prevent the spread of parvo in the shelter,” Dr. Landress Burress, director of the St. Louis County Animal Control and Adoption Center, said.

Four puppies are being quarantined and cared for by veterinarians and technicians at the St. Louis County location.

Veterinarians discovered the gastrointestinal virus in lethargic puppies, which displayed symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting.

“Vet team is looking at all the affected animals and giving them the proper care at this particular time,” Burress said.

Parvo is a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus found in unvaccinated animals. Puppies should be vaccinated against parvo at when they’re 6, 8, and 12 weeks old, respectively.

The shelter, now under the auspices of the St. Louis County Health Department, had been run by the Animal Protective Association, but recently changed hands

The building will remain closed to the public while it undergoes intense cleaning.

It is expected to reopen on Friday, but pictures and descriptions of the dogs available for adoption are still on the St. Louis County Animal Control and Adoption Center’s website.

“My job here is to make sure we are providing the best care [for animals] that come through the shelter,” Burress said. “At the end of the day, these animals can find a happy healthy home as they leave our shelter.”