The Prince George’s County Animal Services Facility and Adoption Center announced it would limit accepting owner-surrender pets when reaching capacity and the recurrence of the respiratory infection known as Strep Zoo as of Monday.
The disease was previously detected at the shelter in January, causing a brief shutdown, and it continues to be of great concern for public animal shelters nationwide. As part of the recurrence, all pets are being treated with medication as a preventative measure.
Operations on pets are continuing, and deep cleaning protocols and policies for all staff to curb the disease from spreading. Currently, the shelter is open to the public and is waiving pet adoption fees to move pets out of the facility.
“Our facility will limit the intake of owner-surrender pets to prevent further overcrowding and exposure to disease,” said Animal Services Director David Fisher. “We need the public’s help and ask them to consider re-homing a pet with other family or friends before bringing them to the shelter and adopting, fostering, or rescuing one of the pets already in our care.”
The center provides five tips to help keep pets out of the shelter. One, always microchip pets and make sure they have quality ID collar tag; two, obey the law and don’t walk your dog off-leash; third, spay or neuter your pet to prevent overpopulation; four, ensure your pet’s spaces, like walls, fences and gates, are secure so they won’t be able to wiggle out; and five, take animals in your care to regular veterinary visits and keep them up to date on vaccinations and pet licenses.
The center is open to the public Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
