10/20/2026
IMPORTANT‼️
We recently received a positive result of Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus as part of our disease testing for kennel cough. This disease, also called Strep zoo, is a serious but rare respiratory condition of dogs. Testing is ongoing to identify which dog tested positive for Strep zoo. We also did confirm canine pneumovirus, which is a common viral component of kennel cough.
Because of this, we have made the decision to close our shelter until Monday, October 26, at which time we will re-evaluate based on the health of our animals. We will not be performing any dog or cat adoptions, and we are not accepting any public stray drop offs during this time. We do not want this disease spreading to any other animals. Please take extra precautions to keep your pets at your home and be mindful of their whereabouts when playing outside.
Strep zoo is a bacteria that is commonly found in the airways of horses. It can cause respiratory disease that is highly contagious when it affects dogs. Strep zoo primarily affects dogs in shelters or where large populations of dogs live together. It does not commonly affect household pets. It is most likely to spread in shelters where an upper respiratory disease such as kennel cough is also transmitting to other dogs.
Strep zoo most commonly causes cough and nasal discharge, but can progress to a pneumonia causing increased respiratory effort, bleeding from the nose and mouth, vomiting, and depression. Occasionally, it can cause death. Strep zoo is spread by dog-to-dog contact and contact with contaminated shoes or bowls. This disease can be treated with 7 days of antibiotics.
Currently, our dogs have only exhibited mild to moderate sneezing and clear nasal discharge. Our dogs have not displayed any signs of cough, pneumonia, or death. Every dog at the shelter is currently being treated with 7 days of antibiotics, which eliminates the disease, and our staff is working hard to clean and disinfect the shelter to decrease its spread.
If you have brought your dog to KAAS within the past 2 weeks, please monitor them closely for signs of bloody nasal discharge or bloody cough, and take them to your veterinarian for antibiotic treatment if you notice any of these signs. Strep zoo is much less likely to infect dogs living in a household, and transmission from a shelter dog to an owned dog following adoption is unlikely. However, please be cautious and monitor your pets closely. Dogs who are infected with kennel cough are more likely to contract Strep zoo due to the strain on their immune system.
Strep zoo can rarely be spread to cats and humans that are severely immune compromised. Please watch for signs in your cats such as wobbling, unable to stand, and excessive eye and nasal discharge. Signs in people include pneumonia, and swelling of the throat. It is most commonly spread to people by drinking raw milk from infected cows, and is rarely transmitted from infected dogs. Please contact your primary care provider if you have any concerns about your health.
