Pima County’s Animal Care Center is taking in animals on an emergency-only basis after one of its dogs was found to have a highly-contagious-bacterial infection called “strep zoo.”
Emergency intake includes a pet in medical distress, an aggressive pet, or one that caused an injury to a human or animal.
The policy will last through Dec. 21.
Care Center spokesperson Kayleigh Murdock says the disease can cause pneumonia in dogs.
"The symptoms are generally, we list fever, depression, vomiting, labored breathing, coughing blood, respiratory stuff essentially. Anything that looks sort of pneumonia-esque, we would encourage people to take a look at it." Murdock said.
Murdock said anyone who adopted a dog from the Animal Care Center since late last week has been contacted with next steps.