“We continue to take every precaution to ensure the safety of the 200 dogs in our care…while working to contain the spread of distemper,” officials said.
MEMPHIS, Tenn — Memphis Animal Services offered an update on their operations after the shelter closed until further notice due to a distemper outbreak.
Operations update
Starting Jan. 29, Memphis Animal Services will resume cat intake and adoptions, with the lobby open for visitors interested in adopting a cat. Rescue, foster, and owner reclaim pulls for cats and dogs will also be available by appointment, officials said.
Dog intake remains paused, and public access to the areas remains restricted. Public microchip services for dogs remain unavailable at this time, according to officials.
“Based on all available information, we hope to fully reopen by the end of next week,” they said.
Canine Distemper Virus update
Officials said they are taking every precaution to ensure the 200 dogs in their care are safe as of Jan. 28, and they are working to contain the spread of the virus.
“Each dog is being swabbed for PCR testing and has blood drawn for antibody titer testing, a process that takes approximately 3-7 days for results. Based on expert recommendations, we have transitioned to a higher-quality vaccine and are administering boosters to every dog to strengthen immunity. While no vaccine is 100% effective in people or animals, immunity builds over time, and each dog responds at its own pace,” they said.
The shelter is following strict cleaning protocols to minimize risk, and they have halted the movement of dogs within the shelter.
“At this time, euthanasia is only being performed on dogs that test positive or are symptomatic,” they said.
They are working to contain the spread beyond the shelter as well. The shelter is conducting contact tracing and testing dogs that left the facility in the past month and may have been exposed.
“We are also working on plans to administer vaccinations in the area where the first known case originated to help reduce the risk of further transmission. Meanwhile, our officers continue to respond to cases involving sick, injured, and dangerous dogs, ensuring that the most vulnerable animals receive immediate attention,” officials with the shelter said.
Mayor Young’s response
MAS officials announced Jan. 24, 2025, that they were euthanizing nearly 100 animals due to an outbreak of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV). They said three of the shelter’s 11 kennel rooms were affected by the outbreak after a litter of 11 puppies was taken in on Dec. 31, 2024. They said after a week of being at the shelter, one of the puppies began showing symptoms, and testing confirmed CDV.
“I want to acknowledge that all of our hearts are breaking for the loss we have experienced at the shelter due to this outbreak,” said Young in a letter to the public. “There are no easy answers or quick solutions to be found when dealing with a situation like this. Our team is working with veterinary medicine professionals and using every resource and best practice to slow the spread and mitigate any additional infections. And while we continue to work through this tragic event with the help of those professionals, I am asking for compassion and kindness from our community.”
He continued, “Our staff should not be the subject of your negative comments or social content. They are working hard to help protect our community. This team of dedicated public servants shows up every day to do the hard work of keeping our shelter running. They deserve your respect.”
MAS leaders said they reached out to national shelter medicine experts before deciding to move forward with euthanasia for the nearly 100 animals who were exposed, in order to prevent further spread of the disease.
“It is with heavy hearts that we have to make this difficult decision,” stated MAS Interim Director Mary Claire Borys. “Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that affects dogs and other animals; this measure has been taken to contain the spread of the virus, protect the health of the remaining animals in our care, and protect the Memphis community.”
“We are not out of the woods, yet,” said Young. “While it’s heartbreaking, it was necessary to protect the health of the other animals in the shelter and our community. We’ve started contact tracing and antibody testing for all the animals we have. We’ll use those results to decide on our next steps. Sadly, we might need to consider more euthanasia to ensure a safe environment. Distemper is super contagious, and we need to be really careful to stop it from spreading.”
MAS officials said adoption was allowed for a few previously committed animals based on the ability of the adopters to safely quarantine the dogs until tests confirmed they were clear of the infection.
Read the mayor’s full letter HERE.
Things pet parents should know
Make sure pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations.
Limit interactions with unfamiliar animals, and avoid dog parks until the situation is resolved.
Symptoms to watch out for include:
- Sneezing
- Nasal discharge
- Coughing
- Lethargy
For animals who show any of the above, consult a veterinarian immediately.
Healthy animals are still available for fostering and adoption. Learn more HERE.
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