Maricopa County Animal Care & Control will close its Mesa shelter on Sunday to test every animal for distemper after a number of dogs have been diagnosed with the highly contagious viral disease.

The shelter, 2630 W. Rio Salado Parkway, will close at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, “for the foreseeable future,” officials said in a release. About 300 dogs will require testing, they said.

“Unfortunately, multiple dogs at our East shelter location have tested positive for distemper, and several others are starting to show symptoms of illness. We fear we are on the cusp of a distemper outbreak,” officials said in the release.

Adoptions and transfers will take place through Sunday, according to the release, and “all adopters and partners will be counseled on the recent increase in sick dogs and potential exposure to respiratory illness.

“It is important to note that this does not mean the dogs are distemper positive; they could have CIRDC, kennel cough, etc.”  

Distemper affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous systems. Dogs can be asymptomatic or show typical symptoms such as fever, lethargy, ocular and nasal discharge and neurological ticks, the release stated. Infected dogs can pass the virus to other dogs through coughs, sneezes, tears, saliva, urine and feces. 

“While we do not know if dogs who are showing symptoms are positive for distemper at this moment, we are taking proactive steps to stop the spread of this highly contagious and deadly canine virus,” MCACC officials said in the release.

The shelter is looking for community support in the following areas:

•  Until further notice, all adoption fees are waived at both shelter locations. Those interested in a dog at the East shelter can “blind adopt” without a meet and greet. The dog may be viewed through the kennel. Potential adopters will be counseled to understand the risks of taking an animal on medication without a confirmed diagnosis.
• Sign up to volunteer. Extra help is needed to deal with the increased capacity at the West shelter, 2500 S. 27^th Ave.