Most serivces have been temporarily stopped at Miami-Dade County’s Animal Services because of a distemper outbreak in the dog population.
The suspension is being done to eradicate the disease from the facility, according to animal services. Distemper, in particular, has become a problem, officials said, and all dogs and puppies current at Animal Control are ill or considered exposed and at risk of picking up this terrible disease. The suspension of almost all services will last upwards of two weeks. The affected services are: the rabies/microchip clinic, intake of adult dogs and puppies by the public, stray-dog pickup by animal control officers, owner-surrendered pets, and spay and neuter surgery for current shelter dogs.
Basically all services are suspended or severely limited until further notice.
Services that will continue as normal are: investigations, buying licenses, paying citations, lost and found (only if the animal is currently there they will NOT pick up animals), intake of cats, cat adoptions, spaying and neutering of cats.
Adoption of dogs also will continue but with a disclaimer about exposure to distemper. If you do adopt a dog or puppy from Miami Dade Animal Control during this two week period assume the dog has been exposed to distemper and quarantine the dog or puppy appropriately.
The decision to suspend certain services was made after collaboration with veterinary experts in infectious disease from the University of Florida’s Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/25/2133128/several-animal-services-temporarily.html#ixzz1HcKJvBT3