Pima Animal Care Suspends Intake After Dog Dies Of Possible Infection

TUCSON, AZ — The Pima Animal Care Center suspended all non-emergency animal intakes on Monday and began giving its resident pets antibiotics after a dog at the center was found dead in its kennel on Sunday morning, according to a news release.

Veterinarians for the shelter are concerned that the dog may have died from a highly contagious bacterial infection called Streptococcus equi zooepidemicus or “strep zoo,” and are taking precautions as if that were the case. The test results to confirm the dog's cause of death still aren't in.

The shelter is still open for adoptions, but all pets who are adopted out will be sent home with antibiotics.

“We’re exercising an abundance of caution to protect the animals in the shelter and the community, and starting antibiotic prophylaxis for all animals in the shelter," shelter director Monica Dangler said in the release. "If this is not strep zoo, we plan to resume normal operations on April 28. If it is, we will likely have to extend the temporary halt to admissions a few more days.”

Those who adopted or fostered a dog from the center on Saturday or Sunday are advised to come to Pima Animal Care's clinic during business hours to pick up antibiotics for their pet.

The shelter always advises adopters or foster parents who have other pets to keep their new pet separate from their other pets for at least three days.

There is no vaccine for step zoo and few warning signs, according to the shelter, and strep zoo is known for causing sudden outbreaks of fatal pneumonia in shelter dogs around the world.

The shelter is urging anyone who needs to surrender a pet to first go the its Pet Support Page and to try to re-home their pet before contacting the shelter. Alternatively, they can contact other area shelters.

Anyone who finds a friendly stray in the next few days is encouraged to try to find the owner by knocking on doors, posting fliers, posting online or getting it scanned at a vet clinic for a microchip and holding the animal until its owner is found.

Anyone who finds a stray pet that is sick, injured or unfriendly can call the Animal Protection Services Dispatch line at 520-724-5900 and press 4.