We need your help right now! Currently, we have a few kitties with ringworm. Ringworm is a mild skin condition that’s just like athlete’s foot — easily treatable, but it sometimes takes a while. We don’t want these cuties to wait any longer for homes. We want them to go home now and finish up treatment with their forever families! Right now, we’re waiving the adoption fee; plus, we’ll send you home with all the supplies you need!! Stop in to see these kitties today or click here to view all our adoptable cats.
What is ringworm?
Ringworm is a fungus that lives everywhere, including on animals, people, and in the soil. You probably have come in contact with it in your day-to-day life multiple times and not ever known it. It is very hardy and lives a long time in the environment and is contagious.
Am I going to get ringworm from my new kitty?
Maybe, but it’s doubtful. Typically healthy people don’t catch ringworm, and if you are good about washing your hands and changing clothes after handling ringworm kitties, then you should be fine.
What if I get ringworm?
We promise you it is no big deal if you do manage to catch it. It’s a red crusty little spot. If you’ve ever had athlete’s foot or jock itch, then you’ve already had a skin fungus like ringworm! It’s super easy to treat on humans because we aren’t furry. Just a little fungal cream or spray (over the counter) works perfectly for it. We have lots of staff, fosters, volunteers, and adopters that deal with ringworm kitties every day and they usually don’t catch it. If they do, a band-aid, some anti-fungal spray or cream a few times a day, and keeping the area clean and dry clears it up pretty quickly.
What about my other animals?
Unless your animal has a lowered immune system (young, old or sick) it is unlikely they will catch it. Again, washing your hands and changing clothes in between handling the ringworm kitties and your personal animals will definitely help.
What treatment do they need?
Once daily oral medicine and twice weekly bathing with an odor-free medicated dip. Pretty easy! You will be provided with the oral medicine, the medicated dip, gloves, gowns to wear when handling/dipping the kitty, instructions for treating the cat – everything you need to treat them, for free!
What about it getting in my house?
You should put your new cat in a bathroom or other confined tile space. Clean up is super easy. Ringworm is killed by dilute bleach, so when they leave, just spray down their litter box, bowls and tile where they were, wash their laundry in bleach, vacuum your carpets, and you should be good to go! You’ll also be given more detailed decontamination instructions to make sure your house is ringworm free when you’re done with treatment.
Why are you taking these steps?
We do not believe that a cat should be put down just because he or she has a treatable skin condition. Unfortunately, managing ringworm in a shelter is much more difficult than treating it at home. We hope you understand and will help us care for these kitties—it would be a shame not to offer them for adoption simply because they have ringworm! Just as in people, ringworm is not life-threatening. You can expect your new cat to make a full recovery.