BARC activates quarantine protocols due to positive dog test result for distemper

HOUSTON — The BARC Animal Shelter in Houston is temporarily suspending some services after a dog tested positive for distemper.

BARC has said it is suspending public admissions of dogs for the next few weeks and activating quarantine protocols in response to a positive case of distemper. All existing dog encounters will be rescheduled once all supervised animals have tested negative.

BARC will remain open for all other services, including animal control and bite investigations, cat admissions, and assistance at foster care clinics.

“I commend the quick action by our team at BARC in identifying symptomatic dogs and rapidly implementing their infectious disease protocols. While receptions are closed, all other services remain available, so I continue to encourage existing and new collaborations with our partners and the public,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Our staff will be closely monitoring the animals in our care and anyone entering the shelter during this time. We encourage Houston residents to vaccinate their pets to prevent the possible spread of the disease to other pets in the community.”

The animal shelter said it spotted a dog showing signs of distemper on Thursday, so they immediately tested the dog and euthanized it at the direction of a BARC veterinarian to prevent the spread of the disease. A few days later, the shelter reported that they had received positive test results.

BARC said it implemented its distemper protocol immediately and is awaiting results on all other animals that have been tested to determine if additional precautions need to be taken.

According to BARC, distemper affects communities with large populations of homeless animals and affects some mammals, except for humans and cats. Symptoms include thick nasal discharge, coughing and sneezing. In severe cases, distemper can affect the neurological system, causing convulsions, tremors, and death.

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