Temporary Suspension of Intakes of Dogs at BARCS Due to Respiratory Illness (CIRDC)
UPDATE 1/31/25:
BARCS is extending our temporary suspension of dog intake for another two weeks due to an ongoing Canine Respiratory Illness situation. During this time, we are urgently seeking emergency fosters for dogs to help us protect the healthy dogs currently in our care.
Why do we need fosters right now? We have healthy dogs who were already in the shelter before this situation began, and placing them in foster homes reduces their risk of exposure to illness. Fostering not only keeps these dogs safe but also creates space for unavoidable emergency cases.
Although our intake remains suspended, BARCS is also still assisting Baltimore City Animal Control with certain emergencies and impounds. These cases are reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis in collaboration with Animal Control and are limited strictly to emergencies, as it is both of our top priority to limit the number of animals entering BARCS and being put at risk of infection.
If you’re able to foster or want to help during this critical time, please reach out to us. We are compiling a special “fosters on deck” list for this situation, where our foster team will match-up and contact potential fosters should a dog in our care meet their criteria. By opening your home to a dog in need, you’re playing a vital role in keeping them safe and supporting BARCS through this difficult situation.
SIGN UP FOR OUR “FOSTER ON DECK” LIST: https://form.jotform.com/250304417617148
INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Effective immediately, the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) will temporarily suspend all dog intakes due to a significant uptick in Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC) cases over the past six to eight weeks. Unfortunately, some cases are not responding to treatment and have progressed to pneumonia, requiring extensive treatment and isolation. BARCS medical team will reassess this decision after two weeks.
This temporary suspension will allow our team to decrease the number of dogs in our shelter to focus on isolating and treating affected dogs, conducting additional lab testing, implementing enhanced quarantine protocols, and not exposing new dogs to illnesses. While this disease is not transmissible to other species, its impact on our canine population has been severe, and we must take immediate action to safeguard the health of the animals in our care.
“To save and protect the animals currently in our shelter, it is necessary to pause dog intakes while we focus our resources on treatment and containment,” said Dr. Bobbie Mammato, DVM, MPH and BARCS Chief Medical Officer. “The safest place for a healthy dog right now is with their owner, and we need pet owners and our community to work together to delay surrendering dogs or bringing in lost dogs until BARCS is in a better situation to safely care for them.”
BARCS will continue adoptions and fostering of healthy dogs, and those with mild symptoms who can receive treatment in a quiet, less stressful home environment separated from other dogs. This will not only ensure these animals will remain healthy or heal quicker, it will also decrease stress, illness and potential euthanasia for other animals at the shelter. To ensure the safety of adopters/fosters and their pets, every animal leaving the shelter will receive information about Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC), including a list of symptoms to watch for and guidance on preventing the spread of illness.
To help reduce the spread of illness in the community, BARCS urges pet owners to:
Keep their pets updated on vaccines.
Only allow your dog to interact with dogs you know are healthy and have not been exposed to any sick dogs.
Seek veterinary care promptly if their pet shows signs of illness, such as coughing, nasal discharge or lethargy.
We will update our website and social media channels with information on the situation, including when dog intakes will resume. Thank you for your understanding and support as we navigate this challenging time.
How You Can Help During Our Dog Intake Closure
Here are the steps you can take to help reduce the strain on the shelter, provide assistance to your own pets, and support BARCS during this challenging time:
Lost Dogs
Bringing lost dogs to BARCS at this time can put them at unnecessary risk. The majority of lost pets are found only a few blocks from their homes so please take the following steps to help reunite lost pets with their owners:
Look for Owners: Most lost pets are found close to home. Ask your neighbors if they recognize the pet, post photos on local social media, lost and found facebook pages, places like ring and neighborhood association pages, and pet recovery websites.
Use Petco Love Lost’s Facial Recognition Tool: Upload a photo of the pet to help identify them and connect with their family.
Put Up Flyers: Posting physical flyers in the area can also help alert others to a lost pet.
Scan for a Microchip: As soon as possible, take the found animal to a local animal hospital or shelter to have them scanned for a microchip. Microchips often contain the owner’s contact information, making reunification faster and less stressful for the pet.
BARCS can offer supplies for you to borrow while you hold onto the pet as supplies last.
Rehoming Your Dog: Use The Rehoming Tool On Our Website
If you're an owner needing to find a new family for your dog, consider directly rehoming your pet by marketing it on your social media page or using the Rehoming Tool on our website. Rehoming directly to a new home is the best option when you can no longer keep a pet, but especially now while our shelter is at capacity and animals are more vulnerable to illness and stress. This tool lists your dog on our website and allows owners to connect with potential adopters directly, helping pets find new homes in a less stressful environment.
Need Pet Resources? Email Us!
If you're struggling to care for your pet due to financial constraints or lack of supplies, we may be able to help. Please email us at resource@BARCS.org for information on food, supplies, or other resources to help you keep your pet in your home or if you have other questions. We believe that pets should stay with their families when possible, and we're here to support you.
Donations Needed
The increase in illness, treatments, and veterinary care is placing a significant financial strain on BARCS. We need your support now more than ever to continue providing the essential medical care our animals need. Your donations to our Medical Care Fund will directly contribute to covering the additional costs of medications, testing, medical supplies, and cleaning supplies for the animals in our care.