The Freeborn County Humane Society re-opened its doors to the public today after a virus forced the organization to close for five weeks.

Humane Society leaders discovered parvovirus, a highly contagious virus among dogs, at the shelter on Feb. 2, and four dogs ultimately contracted it and died. Three were about 9 weeks old and were from the same litter. The other dog was less than a year old.

Parvovirus is transmitted by any person, animal or object that comes in contact with an infected dog’s feces. The virus can live in the environment for several months, but can be killed with bleach.

The shelter had been closed since the original discovery for deep cleaning, and Humane Society volunteers followed all veterinarian recommendations in making sure the shelter is safe and clean, said Director Christa DeBoer.

“We’ve worked really hard, and the shelter is sparkling,” DeBoer said.

She said though the shelter is re-opened, there will be new safety precautions put in place.

People will no longer be able to walk through to the back of the shelter where the dogs are kept; instead, a volunteer will bring out the dogs to people coming to inquiring about them.

People also will be required to have bleach foot baths with their shoes as they come in and exit the shelter. DeBoer said this is for the safety of not only the dogs at the shelter but the dogs anyone may have in the public.

In celebration of the shelter re-opening, there will be special adoption prices during the month of March. Cats can be adopted for $20, instead of the normal $65, and dogs can be adopted for $125, she said.

There will be an adoption event at Ranch & Pet Supply this weekend from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.