PACC seeing increase in distemper coming into the shelter

PIMA COUNTY, May 24, 2023 – Pima Animal Care Center is asking for the public’s help in getting 75 dogs into foster or adoptive homes today to keep pets healthy amidst a concerning increase in distemper cases coming into the shelter.

Distemper is a contagious disease of dogs, coyotes, and other wildlife. Distemper is easily prevented with routine vaccinations, and vaccinated pets are not at risk. It can cause fever, lethargy, anorexia, and respiratory illness, and in its terminal stages can also cause neurological issues and death.  Distemper does not infect domestic cats, people, pocket pets (like hamsters or sugar gliders), or birds. It is commonly found among shelter dogs that have never been vaccinated.

An occasional case of distemper is not uncommon in the shelter and can be easily isolated thanks to the shelter’s clinic setup. However, when several dogs are sick and exposed to the disease, it makes it difficult to sufficiently isolate the disease, particularly while the shelter is in an ongoing space crisis. This makes it critical to get dogs into foster or adoptive homes, according to Monica Dangler, PACC’s Director of Animal Services.

“This situation comes at a difficult time for PACC,” said Dangler. “Pima County has consistently stepped up to help our shelter dogs in times of great need, and we are hoping that that will be the case this time around as well.”

PACC is urgently looking for dog fosters in order to create isolation space for sick dogs. They need to be in homes with no other dogs or with fully-vaccinated dogs who have healthy immune systems. Those interested in fostering can come directly to the shelter or sign up here.

To help keep friendly, healthy stray dogs safe, PACC is starting a “3 to Thrive” program. Finders are invited to temporarily bring the dog to PACC to receive their vaccinations and then may return to the shelter three days later, once their vaccines have had time to take effect and they are sufficiently protected from distemper.

For those who are unable to foster but want to help, consider making a financial donation for the treatment of shelter pets to PACC’s official nonprofit partner, Friends of Pima Animal Care Center, or donating items like Nylabones and Adaptil collars from their Amazon wish list.

PACC is located at 4000 N Silverbell Road and is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from noon to 7 p.m., on Wednesday from 1:30 – 7 p.m., and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All adoptions are free, and pets come microchipped, spayed or neutered, and with age-appropriate vaccinations. Adult dogs require a $20 licensing fee. To learn more about available PACC pets and services, please go to www.pima.gov/animalcare.