09282018 - Animal Shelter Closes Temporarily (Sept. 2018) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
`or Jessica Rogers • (940) 349-7531 • Jessica.Rogers@cityofdenton.com
DENTON
Linda McNatt Animal Care & Adoption Center Closes Temporarily
DENTON, TX, Sept. 28, 2018—As of 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 28, the Linda McNatt Animal
Care &Adoption Center will be closed for cleaning and disinfecting following the discovery of
several dogs presenting similar respiratory symptoms in the isolation area.
Three dogs started exhibiting symptoms including nasal discharge, lethargy, loss of appetite, and
cough on Wednesday, Sept. 26. Samples from the impacted dogs were immediately sent to a
laboratory to confirm the cause of the respiratory illness. Test results are being expedited and
should be available by Saturday, Sept. 29. Symptomatic dogs immediately received professional
veterinary examinations and the onsite veterinarian made the difficult decision to euthanize the
affected animals to ensure the health of other animals in the shelter.
In an effort to prevent the spread of contagious diseases, the shelter adheres to industry best
practices during the animal intake process. Upon intake, all dogs admitted to the Linda McNatt
Animal Care &Adoption Center receive a four-part parvo, hepatitis,parainfluenza, and
distemper vaccine along with an intranasal hepatitis,parainfluenza, and bordetella vaccine. Any
animal presenting potentially contagious symptoms is immediately placed in isolation and
receives a full medical examination.
Staff is currently cleaning and disinfecting the entire shelter using a medical grade cleaning agent
that was created specifically for animal shelters. Animal Services staff is also in the process of
securing a professional medical cleaning agency to thoroughly disinfect the facility.
Pet owners wishing to reclaim animals currently detained at the shelter will have the option to do
so during the shelter closure with the acknowledgement that their animal may have been exposed
to a respiratory disease. Further information will be provided on when the shelter will re-open
once test results are received, the shelter has been professionally cleaned, and it has been
established that there is no longer a threat of infection.
If you adopted a dog from the shelter this week and have questions or concerns, please contact
Gayla Nelsen at(940) 349-7594.
Contact: Jessica Rogers, (940) 349-7531, Jessica.Rogers(&)cityofdenton.com
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