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Prince George's County, Maryland, USA

Animal Shelter Temporarily Closes due to Outbreak of Canine Illness

ASD shelterclosure2024-6-4-24

Press Release
 

For immediate release:
June 4, 2024

For more information, contact:
Linda Lowe, Director of Communications
Department of the Environment
lmlowe@co.pg.md.us; (301) 836-2115 (cell)

 

County Animal Shelter Temporarily Closes due to Outbreak of Canine Illness
Staff will initiate quarantine protocols to contain the illness and treat affected animals 

Largo, MD – Effective immediately, the Prince George’s County Animals Services Facility and Adoption Center (ASFAC) will temporarily close to the public and stop dog owner-surrender appointments after today and adoptions due to an outbreak of an undetermined illness at the facility until further notice. The temporary closure will allow staff to initiate quarantine protocols to stop the spread of the disease and to treat dogs who are ill. The disease is not spreading from dogs to other animals in the facility, and testing is ongoing.

“As we are seeing an uptick of disease strike shelters nationwide, we are acting quickly to help prevent this outbreak from further spread,” says David Fisher, Associate Director of the Department of Animal Services. “All staff are working overtime to quarantine and treat the animals in our care at this time. To do this most effectively, it is necessary for us to temporarily suspend taking in new dogs. The best place for a dog to be now is with their owner.”

ASFAC will allow pets to leave the facility if:

  • It is a return to the owner (RTO).
  • An adoption is in process, and the pet shows no signs of illness and
  • The pet is considered for fostering and shows no signs of illness.

In all circumstances of release, ASFAC will have paperwork for the pet owner to sign acknowledging the animal's possible illness before release. All animals will be treated with long-acting medication before leaving, regardless of signs of illness.

To help reduce the spread of the disease in the community, ASFAC encourages pet owners to keep their pets updated on vaccines, avoid communal water bowls, and seek medical advice from a veterinarian if any symptoms like a cough or runny nose develop or worsen.

For more information or updates on when the facility will reopen, contact (301) 780-7200.

 

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