The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services has reported an increase in cases of Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD) among dogs housed at its animal shelter.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, veterinary staff recently observed a shift in the health of several dogs, who began exhibiting symptoms consistent with CIRD.
Samples have been submitted for testing to determine the specific pathogen responsible for the outbreak. Results are currently pending.
In the meantime, veterinary staff and the shelter’s leadership team are implementing immediate precautions to limit the spread of the illness. All affected dogs are reportedly responding well to supportive care.
Under the guidance of veterinarians from the University of Florida, the shelter is taking proactive steps to prevent further transmission within the facility and the broader community.
As an additional precaution, the shelter is asking local residents who find healthy stray dogs to temporarily hold onto the animals and attempt to locate their owners, if possible. According to Animal Services, most stray dogs are typically found just a few blocks from home, and this effort could significantly reduce exposure risks during the current outbreak.
While shelter staff work to control the spread of CIRD and reduce the intake of new dogs, the adoption center remains open to the public for both dog and cat adoptions.
