McKinney, TX — Collin County Animal Shelter has temporarily suspended dog adoptions following multiple confirmed cases of canine distemper in the shelter. The decision was made out of an abundance of caution to protect the health and safety of animals in the shelter and throughout the community.
Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that affects dogs’ respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. While the virus poses no risk to humans or cats, it can spread rapidly among unvaccinated dogs through coughing, sneezing, or shared food and water bowls.
"As soon as we learned of a confirmed distemper case on September 13, our staff and veterinarians acted immediately to protect the animals in our care and the broader community,” said Misty Brown, Development Services Director. “Our priority is preventing further exposure while ensuring transparency and providing guidance to adopters and residents."
Immediately upon learning of the confirmed case, shelter staff and veterinarians implemented outbreak protocols, including:
- Halting dog adoptions
- Quarantining exposed animals
- Notifying recent adopters and rescue partners with guidance on monitoring pets for symptoms
- Testing animals currently at the shelter and evaluating others at risk
After implementing outbreak protocols, the shelter was cleared to resume dog adoptions by our veterinarians. Unfortunately, additional positive distemper cases have been confirmed, and the shelter is suspending dog adoptions until further notice. Operations for cat adoptions remain open.
- Collin County residents can help play a vital role in the shelter's ability to recover from this outbreak. We encourage members of our community to:
- Ensure dogs are up to date on vaccinations, particularly the DHPP vaccine, which protects against distemper
- Monitor pets recently adopted from the shelter for any signs of illness, including nasal or eye discharge, coughing, fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite
- Consider fostering to help reduce shelter crowding and protect vulnerable dogs. We have an urgent need for fosters for high-risk puppies; anyone available can reach out to foster@collincountytx.gov
"Collin County Animal Shelter (CCAS) staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the animals in our care,” noted Lacy DeHorney, Animal Services Manager. “We appreciate the community’s support and understanding during this difficult time.”
The shelter will provide regular updates, reopening timelines, and opportunities for community support. Collin County remains committed to transparency throughout this process and to ensuring the long-term health and safety of pets in the region.
For more information about canine distemper, contact your veterinarian. For updates about shelter operations, visit our
Animal Services home page.
