Humane Society Takes Precautions, Seeks Public’s Help Due to Outbreak Among Dogs

In response to an outbreak of pneumonia affecting dogs at San Diego Humane Society shelters, officials are asking the community for help to reduce the shelter population.

To prevent the spread of disease, the local Humane Society is pausing owner surrenders of dogs beginning Tuesday and continuing through Sept. 17.

The organization is also encouraging pet owners who are faced with the decision to re-home their pets to do so on their own, by using online resources to help avoid bringing pets to the shelter. To schedule a future appointment, call 619-299-7012.

Overcrowding increases the risk of disease, and the organization averaged a record of nearly 800 dogs in care per day during August. Other things the public can do to help:

• The Humane Society is reducing all adoption fees by 50% for the “Clear the Shelters” event, through Sept. 10. The organization will also waive all adoption fees on Sept. 7.
• Walk-in adoptions are available Tuesday through Sunday at the organization’s campuses in San Diego, Escondido, El Cajon and Oceanside. Adoptions take place from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday and 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
• The Humane Society is urging everyone to help keep dogs out of the shelter. Finders of lost animals are strongly encouraged to participate in the Wait 48 or StrayCare programs, which allow community members to care for stray pets in their homes while a search is conducted for their owners.
• Open your home to foster a pet, to give them relief from the stress of the shelter and create needed space for other animals.

Pneumonia affects dogs’ respiratory systems, including the lungs and airways, making it difficult for them to breathe. It can be caused by viral and bacterial infections, such as mycoplasma, Bordetella, adenovirus and canine distemper virus, which damage the airways and make dogs more susceptible to pneumonia.

Some strains of pneumonia, like kennel cough, can also be contagious to other dogs.

“While dogs in the general population are at low risk, pet parents should keep their dogs up to date on Bordetella and Parainfluenza vaccines,” said Dr. Zarah Hedge, the San Diego Humane Society chief medical officer. “We have ensured that our canine population is up to date on their vaccines to mitigate the spread and limit infection, but we need the public’s help in stopping the flow of dogs that come through our doors every day.”