Miami-Dade Animal Services urges adoptions, fostering amid strep zoo outbreak and overcrowding

Miami-Dade Animal Services is urging the population to adopt or foster pets as the county shelter battles a dangerous outbreak of Streptococcus equi zooepidemicus also known as Strep Zoo amid severe overcrowding leaders publicized Personnel say that due to the shelter s overcrowded conditions the hazard of transmission has grown significantly They warn that any dog brought into the facility is at high jeopardy of exposure To limit the spread Animal Services is asking residents to avoid surrendering pets or bringing in stray animals unless they are sick injured or pose a danger to constituents safety The highly contagious bacterial infection can cause hemorrhagic pneumonia in dogs and in rare cases may affect immunocompromised individuals and other animals functionaries noted Thursday Each adoption or foster placement helps reduce stress create space and prevent further spread of complaint the department noted Supplies and advocacy are available for foster families For more information on how to adopt or foster click here