MESA, AZ — Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) says their east shelter will remain closed until Monday July 1, while they continue to battle a distemper outbreak.
According to MCACC, 49 dogs have had to be euthanized since June 3, 2019. That is 12 more dogs than reported last week. According to the shelter, that number includes 26 dogs that have tested positive for the distemper virus and others that have shown severe symptoms while waiting for results. Nine of the dogs were euthanized for behavioral reasons that made them unsafe to adopt.
MCACC says they’re working to adopt out dogs that are not showing any symptoms of the virus and to foster dogs that are treatable and need a quieter environment to recover.
Dogs that are adoptable will only cost a licensing fee, which is currently $21, and will increase to $22 on July 1. The increase is to help with ongoing expenses to keep dogs safe and adoptable.
