ISLE OF WIGHT—The Isle of Wight County Animal Shelter is looking for homes for it 16 cats with feline herpes virus.

Any cats that are not adopted before Sunday, Feb. 5, will be put down, said Kristin Wilda, spokeswoman for Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office. Adoptions are free.

Because of the airborne virus’ highly contagious nature, the shelter must be cleaned and disinfected with no cats on the premises for a minimum of 30 days.

The shelter initially had 30 cats with the virus. A volunteer from the Isle of Wight Humane Society took 12 cats and another resident took two, Wilda said.

“The cats are available for adoption; as long as a home does not already have a cat there is no danger of the virus being transmitted,” Wilda said. “However, an adoptive family must be aware of the possible treatments needed in the future should the cat develop an outbreak of the virus again.”

Anyone interested in adopting a cat may call the animal shelter at 365-6318. The shelter is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.