COVID-19 Related Updates at FPK

As you are well aware, the ever-evolving public health situation is keeping us all on our toes. Just as we finalized new guidelines here at FPK, we were immediately in need of additional, drastic changes.

Please take note of these important changes in our schedule and office hours for the immediate future (as of now until April 7th.) 

Tuesday & Friday: 7am-10am & 3pm-6pm (open for Playschool & grooming drop offs & pick ups)

Saturday/Sunday: pickups by appointment only 

Grooming: Tuesdays/Fridays: Bath availability only. Additionally, nail trims are offered during office hours only.

Playschool: Full day Playschool on Tuesdays/Fridays only. Although we have shortened lobby hours, our staff is committed to maintaining normalcy for our canine friends. Playschool will operate the same as it always does (and we can't wait to burn off that quarantine energy with your pups!)

Boarding: Boarding pets will maintain their normal boarding schedule while receiving top-notch care from our staff. Due to our decreased office hours, the FPK office team will be calling to set up drop off or pick up appointments with you prior to your reservation.

Our office will be closed on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday unless an appointment has been made to drop off or pick up your pet from boarding. 

Our office and lobby will operate under new, restricted hours until at least April 7. We will update with any changes as quickly as possible. 

On days our office is closed, we will be checking voicemails and emails at least once per day, but please allow 24 hours for a response from our team. We greatly appreciate your patience!

Upon dropping off or picking up your pet, we continue to offer curbside service where our staff will greet your pet and escort them inside the building, sparing you any possible exposure in our lobby. We can easily facilitate prepayment and electronic payment to help mitigate any unnecessary exposure to others.

While we understand that these changes will have an impact on your own schedule, we can't emphasize enough how much your support means to us. The vast majority of our interactions with our amazing clients have been beyond positive, and that truly makes a difference to us. Thank you, and thank you for allowing us to help care for your pets- we truly love them!

 Stay well! 

Canine Playschool now available Monday - Friday!

We are excited to announce Canine Playschool is now available Monday - Friday year round! Our Playschoolers have 4,500 sq feet inside and 3,500 sq ft outside to play with their friends, toys and our staff! Visit our Canine Playschool page for more information or call our office to set up your pup’s free Playschool Compatibility Day today!

Holiday Donation Drive for Indianapolis Animal Care and Control

Join us in supporting Indianapolis Animal Care and Control! A donation gets you a free nail trim or $10 off your boarding or grooming appointments! Donations can be dropped off at Five Points Kennels or purchased through IACC's Amazon Wish List (email us a copy of your receipt for a credit to your account).

Below is a copy of their most needed products and a link to their Amazon Wish List.

Canned dog food
Canned cat food
Milkbone dog treats
Peanut butter (creamy)
Laundry detergent
Bleach
Sanitizing wipes
Windex

These and more can be found as part of our Amazon Wish List at http://tinyurl.com/j83b2n5! 

Holiday Donation Drive for Indy Humane

This holiday season FPK is having a donation drive for the Humane Society of Indianapolis!  For your generous donation, you will receive a free nail trim or a $10 credit for your next boarding or grooming appointment. Stop by anytime during our office hours to drop off your donation. All donations must be brought in by Thursday January 7, 2016. We will deliver to Indy Humane on Friday January 8th. 

Click on the link below to see a list of Indy Humane's current wish list!

Please email or give us a call if you would like more information or would like us to email you a copy of the wish list.

Canine Playschool is back!

We will begin Canine Playschool on Tuesday September 15th! At this time we are only able to offer Playschool on Tuesdays so mark your calendars!

ROAD CLOSED: DETOUR!

The city is putting in a roundabout at Five Points Road and Thompson Road. This means Five Points Road is closed from Hanna Ave to Edgewood Ave from now until mid-August. You will need to use Arlington Ave, Franklin Road or an alternate route. Please allow for additional travel time if you are coming from the south side as our office will still be open Monday - Friday 8a.m. - 12p.m. & 2p.m. - 6p.m., Saturdays 8a.m. - 12p.m. and Sundays 2p.m. - 6p.m.

Dog flu believed to be caused by a new strain of the virus

Midwest Canine Influenza outbreak caused by new strain of virus

APRIL 12, 2015 BY JOE SCHWARTZ

ITHACA, N.Y. – The canine influenza outbreak afflicting more than 1,000 dogs in Chicago and other parts of the Midwest is caused by a different strain of the virus than was earlier assumed, according to laboratory scientists at Cornell University and the University of Wisconsin. Researchers at Cornell say results from additional testing indicate that the outbreak is being caused by a virus closely related to Asian strains of influenza A H3N2 viruses, currently in wide circulation in southern Chinese and South Korean dog populations since being identified in 2006. There is no evidence that it can be transmitted to humans.

The outbreak in the Midwest had been attributed to the H3N8 strain of virus, which was identified in the U.S. dog population in 2004 and has been circulating since. The H3N2 virus had not been previously detected in North America. The outbreak in Chicago suggests a recent introduction of the H3N2 virus from Asia.

Testing of clinical samples from the outbreak conducted at The New York State Animal Diagnostic Laboratory at Cornell indicated that the virus was Influenza A. Further testing led researchers to believe a new strain was at fault. Subsequent testing, carried out with the assistance of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, identified the new subtype as H3N2. The National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, IA is sequencing two isolates from this outbreak, which were isolated at Cornell, to facilitate rapid complete characterization of the viruses.

Both Influenza strains can cause high fever, loss of appetite, coughing, nasal discharge, and lethargy. Symptoms may be more severe in cases caused by the H3N2 virus. Some infected dogs may not show symptoms at all.

H3N2 has caused infection and respiratory illness in cats.

Veterinary professionals are advised that diagnostic testing of samples from sick pets can be done using a broadly targeted Influenza A matrix reverse transciptase-polymerase chain reaction assay (Rt-PCR). The canine-specific Influenza A H3N8 Rt-PCR in use in several laboratories will not detect this virus. Serology is also currently not available as the H3N2 virus is different enough from H3N8 that antibodies may not cross react. However, an H3N2-specific serologic assay is under development and will be available soon.

It is not known if the current vaccine will provide any protection from this new virus. It does protect against H3N8, which is in circulation in some areas. Other preventive advice remains the same: In areas where the viruses are active, avoid places where dogs congregate, such as dog parks and grooming salons.

Owners of symptomatic dogs and cats should consult their veterinarians about testing and treatment.

Cornell University has television, ISDN and dedicated Skype/Google+ Hangout studios available for media interviews.