San Bernardino Animal Shelter Free of Illness Affecting Other Shelters, but Overcrowding Puts Animals at Risk
Officials at the City of San Bernardino Animal shelter have announced that their animals have not been afflicted with Strep Zoo, a potentially deadly disease that has spread in other shelters in the region. However, due to overcrowding and the existence of the disease in the region, the Shelter is asking residents to consider adopting a dog or serving as a foster host to minimize the risk to its animals.
In recent weeks, there have been news reports about an outbreak of the bacterial infection streptococcus zoopidemicus, or "strep zoo," at the Jurupa Valley shelter operated by Riverside County Animal Services. Strep zoo is a contagious animal disease that can be deadly for dogs and transmissible to other pets. Overcrowded shelters are at higher risk of disease outbreaks like this one.
Currently, the San Bernardino Animal Shelter is 100 dogs over capacity. The Shelter was consistently over capacity in 2022, due to a 33% increase (1,300 animals) in the number of animals taken in throughout the year.
“Because of the number of dogs at the shelter, our department is currently putting multiple animals in kennels together,” said San Bernardino Animal Services Director Kris Watson. “That is not an ideal situation.”
As a result, the Department is seeking adoptive or temporary foster homes to free up space and reduce the chances of a serious disease outbreak.
“We have so many wonderful dogs waiting for their new families. Some have been with us for several months.” added Watson. “We are asking the public to open their homes and hearts to some animals in need so that we can better protect the animals at the shelter from diseases like Strep Zoo.”
The City of San Bernardino Animal Shelter is open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. Anyone interested in helping is encouraged to visit https://www.sbcity.org/city_hall/animal_services/adoptions to see all available dogs or to visit the shelter, located at 333 Chandler Place, San Bernardino, CA 92401 during business hours.
For more information, contact San Bernardino Animal Services at (909) 384-1304.
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