Table 7.

Use of Serological Testing in a Shelter Infectious Disease Outbreak

Situation	Serological Status	Recommendation for Animals
Disease outbreak within a shelter: all animals within the shelter should be tested serologically (i.e. for CDV, CPV2 and FPV outbreaks)	Seropositive animals	These are protected and will not become infected or die. These should be separated from the non‐ or low‐responder animals.
	Seronegative animals	These should be separated from the seropositive animals. These animals are susceptible and should not be adopted out of the shelter until after the incubation period for the infection (i.e. at least 2 weeks for CPV, at least 6 weeks for CDV). These animals should be vaccinated and retested to confirm seropositivity after the incubation periods above.
Animals outside of a shelter needing to be admitted in the face of a disease outbreak in the shelter	Seropositive animals	These may safely enter the shelter as they are protected from disease.
	Seronegative animals	These animals should be vaccinated and sent to foster homes until after they have seroconverted. They should not be allowed to enter the shelter until they are seropositive.