February 2017 by Dr. Alexis Bardzinski and Jordana Moerbe

Audience: Executive Leadership, Shelter/Rescue Staff & Volunteers, Veterinary Team

Video Length: 46 minutes

Parvovirus is a major killer of dogs and puppies in shelters. Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) built the first parvo ward that actively takes parvo positive dogs from the community and other shelters for treatment and then placement. This presentation discusses the way APA! sets it up safely, their treatment protocols, testing, decontamination, and volunteer participation. This program is operated on a shoestring and saves 500 lives per year. This presentation was recorded at the 2016 American Pets Alive! Conference.

About Alexis Bardzinski, DVM

Dr. Alexis Bardzinski obtained her doctorate of veterinary medicine at Mississippi State University. After becoming a veterinarian and completing an internship in equine medicine, she began working part time doing high volume spay/neuter surgeries and relief work at shelters, including San Antonio Pets Alive! and Austin Pets Alive!. In 2013 she began working full time at APA! and absolutely loves it!


About Jordana Moerbe

Jordana Moerbe worked as an operations manager for Cendant Car Rental Group for three years before realizing that it was not at all what she wanted to be doing with her life. She had always loved animals, but had never worked in animal welfare, and jumped at the chance to work at Emancipet when a friend who worked there recommended she apply for an open position. After four years, she was brought on at APA! where she is currently Medical Clinical Manager.