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(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- Miami-Dade County's Animal Services confirmed cases of Canine Distemper among its shelter population on January 7, 2012. Proactive testing conducted by the shelter helped identify the virus. Distemper is a highly contagious viral infection which is commonly spread through airborne particles. The virus frequently occurs in shelters located in communities with large numbers of unvaccinated dogs.
The existing canine population was tested and quarantined in place at Animal Services for a period of two weeks. During this time, they are being closely monitored for symptoms of disease and receiving prophylactic antibiotic treatment for secondary bacterial infections. These dogs will be available for adoption upon successful completion of a quarantine period.
Due to the shelter situation, the following services related to dogs have been effected:
Temporarily Suspended Services for Dogs
Adoption/Rescue
Rabies/Microchip Clinic
Spay/Neuter Surgeries
Owner Surrender Intake
Stray Intake at Shelter
Stray Pick-Up by Animal Control Officers (if unconfined)
The following services are available during normal operating hours:
License Purchase (if rabies vaccination is current)
Citation Payments
Lost and Found
Return to Owner
All services for cats to include owner subsidized spay/neuter and adoptions will continue as normally scheduled.
Each year the Department receives more than 36,000 pets. The goal of Animal Services is to reunite lost pets with their families or find lifelong homes for as many animals as possible. Related links: Animal Services or call 311.
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