The Stockton Animal Shelter has temporarily stopped taking in stray animals and processing adoptions after a case of Streptococcus zooepidemicus was detected in the shelter population, prompting a two-week quarantine and full disinfection of the facility.
The shelter stopped stray intakes and adoptions Thursday and is expected to keep the pause in place through June 4, according to a statement from the City of Stockton Animal Shelter. Normal operations are scheduled to resume June 5.
The bacterial infection, commonly known as “strep zoo,” is associated with severe respiratory disease in dogs and shelter outbreaks, according to ASPCApro, a professional resource program of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. UC Davis shelter medicine guidance also identifies crowding and stress as factors that can increase risk in dogs exposed to the bacteria…