Up to 350 animals are going to be euthanized at the York OSPCA due to a ringworm outbreak, the executive officer of the OSPCA says.
CEO Kate MacDonald says the animal shelter has been closed for a few weeks because of an outbreak of ringworm that spread quickly.
The illness had been festering for weeks and officials say they were not able to contain it.
On Monday, veterinarians decided it would be in the best interest of the public and animals to euthanize all of the animals in the shelter. Ringworm can spread easily from animals to humans.
MacDonald says the organization always has the best interest of the animals at heart and the decision was a last resort. She says they needed to keep the best interest of the public in mind.
Volunteers at the shelter have voiced concern about what's taking place and will be meeting with OSPCA officials on Tuesday morning.
The branch will undergo sanitization and then an inspection to ensure that the ringworm is gone before it reopens for business.
The shelter will remain closed for about another week.
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