Employees at the Horry County Humane Society say the animal shelter is ready to reopen right now after recovering from an outbreak of canine distemper.

The shelter has been closed for the past three weeks and more than 100 dogs had to be euthanized because of the deadly virus.

Wednesday, employees went public with their concerns, telling the shelter's interim director, Andree Frohmann they think the shelter should be reopened immediately.

The humane society board wants to keep it closed while the concrete floors are re-sealed, but employees say they're worried about the welfare of homeless animals.

"It's gonna be very cold tonight, all these dogs, cats, out on the streets, nowhere to get warm, no way to be fed," said Jeanine Huggins, an employee of the Horry County Humane Society.

Frohmann agreed with employees the shelter could reopen but said she didn't have the authority to do it.

Board members have said the shelter won't reopen until after a board meeting next Wednesday.