Columbus Animal Care & Control under quarantine after canine distemper exposure

Columbus Animal Care & Control has been placed under quarantine after the shelter was exposed to canine distemper, according to a news release from the Columbus Consolidated Government.

Canine distemper is a contagious and serious disease that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of dogs, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association website.

The AVMA website said dogs most often become infected through airborne exposure.

The release said the facility has been placed on quarantine until Sept. 24.

The release said the following steps are being taken:

• All intake of stray or surrendered animals has been halted
• All dog adoptions have been halted
• The main runs of the facility are closed to the public until Sept. 24
• All off-site adoption events have been halted
• Deep-cleaning protocols are in place
• All dogs are being monitored and any showing possible symptoms are being tested

“If you find a stray, consider fostering it temporarily or trying to find its owner through social networks like Facebook, Nextdoor, and the Animal Control Lost & Found Mapping Tool,” the release stated.

This story was originally published September 6, 2024 at 10:26 PM.