From the City of Sugar Land:
The Sugar Land Animal Shelter will reopen Barksburg today. Whiskerville remains closed.
Cat adoptions will continue at First Colony PetSmart on Tuesdays and Thursday-Saturday from 3-5 p.m.
The shelter was closed on April 8 due to a recent intake of a dog that tested positive for distemper, a highly contagious disease. Dr. Carolyn Bender, the shelter’s veterinarian, recommended the closure to minimize exposure, treat affected animals and monitor the animal shelter’s dog population. Canine distemper can’t be transmitted to humans or cats.
Bender approved the reopening of Barksburg after several quarantine procedures were implemented and several rounds of tests were conducted.
“The measures we implemented were effective and prevented the spread of this dangerous disease,” said Director of Environmental and Neighborhood Services Dawn Steph. “We would like to thank the city employees and public who have helped us through donations, fostering and off-site volunteering to make the quarantine run as smoothly as possible. We have learned a great deal, and while we hope to avoid future cases of positive disease, this experience has proven that we are able to effectively and safety care for our city’s animals.”