After six weeks of closure, the Capital Area Humane Society reopened its services to dogs and puppies on Friday.

The shelter closed to canines due to several health problems among the dogs, including the parvo virus, distemper and kennel cough.

"The issue was that people have been surrendering animals to us that were sick and unvaccinated," Gretchen Couraud, spokeswoman for the Humane Society said.

The closure came when a case of distemper was found in one of the dogs, Couraud said. Ten dogs were exposed to the illness at the time and were put down.

Since the closure, the shelter worked with consultants in shelter architecture, heating and ventilation, and flooring to create short-term and long-term plans to resolve the immediate health-related issues and address issues of a larger facility.

The experts advised the Humane Society to install a new mechanical air system inside the kennel to prevent the spread of diseases. In order to provide quality air flow for the animals, the shelter needs 14 to 16 air changes an hour to move air in and out of the shelter and reduce the risk of illness.

Volunteers have helped to disinfect all animal areas and clean up peeling floor paint. Due to a lack of funds, a total floor replacement was not possible. Also, areas for isolation and quarantine have been created in the shelter.

To help with the physical safety of all animals, the shelter recommends pet vaccination to the public.

The shelter will suffer a $70,000 loss from the closure and the repairs necessary to upgrade the facility. Short-term improvements should be finished within six months, Couraud said.

The board of directors for the organization is looking into long-range improvements regarding structural issues, Couraud said.