Calhoun County Animal Control confirmed an outbreak of canine distemper virus within its shelter facility on Thursday.
The highly contagious and potentially fatal disease affects an animal’s respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems.
After careful consultation with veterinary professionals and public health experts, Calhoun County officials said the difficult decision has been made to humanely euthanize 82 dogs currently housed at the shelter to prevent further spread of the disease to the community and surrounding animal populations, according to WBRC.
The shelter will be closed to the public until further notice while staff work to decontaminate and disinfect the entire facility. During this closure, no intakes—whether owner surrenders or strays—can be accepted. Once the shelter is deemed safe for occupancy, operations will resume, and the public will be notified immediately.
“This is a heartbreaking time for our staff, and the decision was not made lightly,” said Naomi Richards for Calhoun County Animal Control. “Our employees are deeply affected, as they care for these animals daily. We kindly ask the community to keep our team in your thoughts and prayers as we work through this extremely difficult situation.”
Distemper is highly contagious, often fatal, and there is no cure—only supportive treatment for symptoms can be provided. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets, bodily fluids, and contaminated objects, and it is carried by wildlife such as raccoons, foxes, and skunks, which can transmit the disease to dogs.
The Calhoun County Animal Control facility has been under significant strain due to growing numbers of stray and abandoned animals within the community. The Calhoun County Commission has been actively working to enhance its Animal Control operations and facilities to better meet these challenges and to protect both pets and people.
The source of the distemper outbreak is uncertain, but officials stress that stray dogs brought in off the street often have unknown medical histories.
“Vaccinating your pets not only protects them but also prevents outbreaks like this one,” Richards said. “We urge all pet owners to consult their veterinarian and ensure their animals are current on all core vaccines.”
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