PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Humane Society had instituted a weeklong moratorium on taking in or adopting out cats after three kittens died of distemper within a week.

“We”re keeping an eye on every one we can,” said Paula Creasey, Humane Society executive director.

Last weekend, two kittens were found dead of the disease which strikes cats, she said, and another was found dead Friday morning.

Those hoping to adopt or drop off a kitten will have to wait until Friday.

Kittens obtain antibodies from their mothers that protect them from the distemper virus, Creasey said, but not always enough.

Usually kittens receive shots to immunize them from distemper at about eight weeks.

The society has been vaccinating kittens as young as five weeks, but kittens under five weeks are too young to vaccinate, she said.