PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – One animal shelter in the east is not taking in cats and kittens for the next 30 days due to numerous cats in its care having a contagious virus.

Pitt County Animal Services says its shelter is stopping intake services for felines to effectively quarantine and treat the cats in its care with feline calicivirus, or FCV. Intake will stop Friday and go through August 26.

The shelter says there are 84 cats in its care, and approximately 47 have been diagnosed with the virus. Pitt County Animal Services says the shelter’s veterinarian, Dr. Krystel Riggione, created a treatment plan for the affected cats who were quarantined.

FCV can cause contagious upper respiratory infections, also called the “cat flu.” The virus can also cause oral diseases and limping syndrome, according to county animal services.

The healthy 37 cats were cleared by the vet, quarantined and are now available for adoption, the shelter says.

Pitt County Animal Services protocol is to vaccinate health cats with a vaccine that protects them against feline herpes, calicivirus and feline panleukopenia.

The shelter says sick cats will get vaccinated once its vet clears them. After they are treated and vaccinated, animal services says the cats should have a normal prognosis and life expectancy and will move to the health quarantine section and be available for adoption.