The Regional Animal Protection Society said staff recently took in a cluster of 12 cats and kittens suffering from the disease — and that anecdotally, the virus seems to be more prevalent this year than in recent years. 

“We really wanted the public to know that they need to get their animals vaccinated, regardless if it’s a kitten or if you have an older cat that you haven’t vaccinated yet,” said Eyal Lichtmann, CEO of the Richmond-based charity. 

Lichtman described feline panleukopenia as one of the most “heartbreaking” diseases a cat rescue can encounter, causing seemingly healthy kittens to rapidly deteriorate — and in some cases die. 

“This is a very dangerous disease,” he added. “Even in an adult cat, it requires an enormous amount of hospitalization if they do get it, and there’s no guarantee that they’re going to survive.”