UPDATE MAY 1, 2024- The St. Mary’s County Animal Adoption & Resource Center is set to reopen at noon on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, resuming its regular operations following a temporary halt in adoptions and non-emergency intakes. This pause was necessary to manage a respiratory outbreak among the shelter animals.
Jennifer Utz, Director of the Department of Emergency Services, expressed gratitude for the community’s role during this challenging time. “We are deeply grateful for the compassion and assistance we have received from the community and from our organizational partners,” said Utz. “Your support has been instrumental in helping us navigate this difficult situation and we are especially thankful to all those who stepped up to foster animals in need while we managed this outbreak.”
The outbreak at the St. Mary’s shelter reflects a broader trend of rising infection rates in animal shelters across the nation. Many animals arriving at shelters as strays carry preexisting illnesses, suffer from malnourishment, or have experienced cruelty, all factors that heighten their risk for severe illnesses. The increasing number of animals coming into shelters, including strays and surrenders, further exacerbates the risk of outbreaks.
Shelter overcrowding, a persistent issue nationwide, heightens the likelihood of disease transmission. However, the situation can improve with community involvement. St. Mary’s County Animal Services advocates for responsible pet ownership, including spaying or neutering pets, and encourages locals to consider fostering animals in need.
For those interested in visiting or learning more about the services offered by the Animal Adoption & Resource Center, additional information is available on their website at www.stmaryscountymd.gov/AnimalShelter, or their social media page at Facebook.com/smcanimalservices.
In a critical response to a sudden outbreak of a contagious upper respiratory illness affecting numerous dogs, the St. Mary’s County Animal Adoption & Resource Center in Leonardtown, Maryland, has announced an immediate temporary suspension of all adoptions and non-emergency animal intakes. The decision comes as a preventive measure to manage and curb the spread of the disease, with results from tests conducted to ascertain the type and severity of the illness eagerly awaited.
Animals displaying symptoms of the disease are being swiftly quarantined, tested, and treated to ensure their well-being. Additionally, the shelter has implemented rigorous deep cleaning protocols and mandated the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for all staff, aiming to minimize further transmission risks.
The facility is now operating under an “emergency admissions only” status, a condition set to persist indefinitely until the outbreak is fully contained. The shelter’s reopening to the public for normal operations hinges on a clear report indicating the absence of new symptomatic cases among the animals, a timeline that remains fluid based on the outbreak’s progression.
In the interim, the shelter is urging the community to assist with stray dogs by utilizing resources provided on their website www.stmaryscountymd.gov/LFpets or by contacting their Animal Control Division directly. The division’s officers are equipped to aid with microchip scanning, aiming to reunite found pets with their owners and mitigate the need for shelter intake. The community is also encouraged to consider fostering opportunities, which can be explored through communication with the shelter’s volunteer coordination team.
This outbreak underscores a broader challenge faced by animal shelters across the nation, marked by a notable increase in animal infection rates. Factors such as the animals’ backgrounds, including instances of malnourishment, previous cruelty, or other health issues, contribute to their heightened vulnerability to severe illnesses. The situation is further exacerbated by an uptick in the overall number of animals entering shelters, whether as strays or surrenders, amplifying the risk of disease transmission and outbreaks.
St. Mary’s County Animal Services emphasizes the critical role of community support in navigating this crisis. By advocating for responsible pet ownership, including spaying and neutering pets, and considering fostering, the public can play a pivotal role in alleviating the pressures on shelter resources and contributing to the well-being of animals in need.
For additional information regarding the St. Mary’s County Animal Adoption & Resource Center’s operations, available resources, and updates on the outbreak, interested parties are encouraged to visit their website at www.stmaryscountymd.gov/AnimalShelter or follow their updates on Facebook at Facebook.com/smcanimalservices.
