LIVE: 2025 DAS Distemper Outbreak Updates
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 15 2025
Most of the Dallas Animal Services dog kennel rooms are "unexposed" now and close to 200 dogs at the shelter are certified "BOMBPROOF!"
It is safe to adopt and foster DAS dogs or take approved pups on a Daycation.
BOMBPROOF! dogs have gone through enough rounds of vaccination and testing that they are known to be 99.9% protected from Distemper.
9/17/25 Dallas Animal Services Social Media Announcement:
Dallas Animal Services has made significant strides in reducing Canine Distemper Virus cases, allowing us to resume appointments for owner surrender and stray intake protocols.
🐕🦺 For additional assistance and resources to help keep your pet in your home, or help rehoming your pet, please visit BeDallas90.org/rehome
🐕🦺 You can also view our events calendar for access to our low-cost wellness clinics and pet food pantries at BeDallas90.org/events
Thank you for your continued patience, compassion, and support as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our pets and our community.
Your support can make the greatest impact by adopting, fostering, or rescuing a pet today. Every animal that finds a loving home helps us maintain a manageable shelter capacity, creating space for others in urgent need of care.
DLB considers the Distemper urgency over. This article will only be updated as any still-listed dogs find placement or if anything changes with the status of the outbreak at DAS. Thank you!
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AUGUST 9 2025
Dallas Animal Services is currently dealing with a Distemper Outbreak.
Action must be immediate and constantly adapted, all day every day, in order to get dogs out of the shelter so they avoid contracting the virus or may be treated in foster or foster to adopt should they become ill with the virus.
In an effort to avoid mass euthanasia, shelter staff is hustling around the clock.
Floor staff and volunteers are wearing full PPE in 100 degree summer weather.
Dogs cannot leave their kennels (UPDATE Aug14: there are now some"clean break" rooms where dogs may visit their pod's yard!).
Everyone is working overtime.
Staff has indicated open intake will not resume until a TBD time, in future.
DFW COMMUNITY participation is essential!
Action needs to be swift. Let's go!
Distemper Quick Facts
- Respiratory Virus
- Highly Contagious
- Treatable outside an overcrowded shelter environment, not possible inside
- DA2PP is a core, annual vaccine - if you keep up with annual vaccinations for your dog, your dog is 99.9% protected against distemper
- DAS VACCINATES upon intake, then booster 2 weeks later
- FALSE POSITIVES a vaccine may register as the virus if both administered within close time frame. This will generally show as "low positive."
- FALSE NEGATIVES a newer-intake dog may test negative then have a positive result later, but if caught very early - easier to treat (in a home)
- TREATMENT If able to be treated - Adults have 80-90% survival rate, Puppies have 50-60% survival rate; DAS can provide guidance and here is a manual from American Pets Alive
NOTE: There is no time or quarantine space, in an overcrowded shelter, in the midst of a Distemper outbreak crisis to isolate and re-test when likely false positives come back. If you want to see the dogs get more time - the way to do that is FOSTERING. If you cannot foster, support foster efforts via donations to the shelter, local rescues, and individual foster wishlists.
Timeline Chronicle (below)
- Most recent at top
- Information comes from DAS staff and press releases
How To Help
- Consider fostering or adopting!
- Support DAS staff with patience, kindness, meals
- Send enrichment items for the dogs (they cannot leave kennels for walks or play)
- Donate to those who support DAS efforts
Locations of DAS Dogs
- SHELTER / DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES 1818 N Westmoreland Road Dallas, TX 75212
- BOARDING / BETTER DAYS PROJECT 1103 E Levee St Dallas, TX 75207
All About FOSTERING!
DOG BASICS for a happy home for all!
Please connect with DAS staff for questions. This website and article is not managed by Dallas Animal Services. DAS Management has communicated the items below, where noted.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 10 2025
Shelter Management - 2 URGENT PLACEMENTS and LOTS OF BOMBPROOF DOGS
These two dogs tested positive for Distemper, have started treatment in shelter and are not showing symptoms. Take them into foster and Dallas Animal Services will provide any medical needs and support during full recovery until they test negative for Distemper. If unable to find placement in time, they have an EU Deadline of tomorrow THURSDAY 9/11- this is necessary to protect the rest of the shelter population from Distemper (this may get extended, depending on daily shelter population).
Once these two dogs are cleared out, DAS will be nearly fully clear of active Distemper (fingers crossed new positives do not pop up!).
UPDATE 9/23: BOTH DOGS HAVE LEFT! We have removed them from this article- the only dogs left from the list during the active DAS Distemper outbreak are listed below.
OUTBREAK UPDATE
- BOMBPROOF! Dog Count : 156
- Number of known Distemper-exposed rooms left: 3
Wonderful!
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THURSDAY AUGUST 28 2025
Shelter Management - BOMBPROOF! DOGS UPDATE
Great news! The BOMBPROOF! dogs are now eligible for the below:
- Walk through the building
- Daycations
- Meet & Greets
- Events
- S/N Surgery asap (if not yet altered)
What is a Dallas Animal Services BOMBPROOF! Dog?
These dogs have gone through enough rounds of vaccination and testing that they are known to be 99.9% protected from Distemper.
Please connect with DAS staff if you would like a list of these dogs via the appropriate department email: dasfoster@dallas.gov or dasadopt@dallas.gov
There are also several seasoned DAS dog content creators who will know how to access the list of DAS BOMBPROOF! dogs and can help you choose one:
Many BOMBPROOF! Dogs are at located at the boarding facility BETTER DAYS, see list below!
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SATURDAY AUGUST 23 2025
DLB FYI - A calmer spot with fewer dogs (if the bigger shelter is intimidating!)
Below is the list of dogs who are still at BETTER DAYS BOARDING, a partner facility holding a batch of DAS dogs.
Once the current batch of Better Days dogs has cleared out, they can take another batch to help speed up eradication of the Distemper outbreak at the Dallas Animal Services building. The sooner that can happen, the sooner regular intake protocols can resume at DAS!
BETTER DAYS PERKS for Adopters, Fosters, and Volunteers
- LIMITED DOGS
- LESS OVERWHELMING than the big shelter
- CALMER environment for visitors and dogs
- QUIETER
- MORE DIRECT help because of all of the above!
For more info on any of these dogs or to meet a dog at Better Days, please email miranda.baietto@dallas.gov
DOGS AT BETTER DAYS BOARDING - 9/15 UPDATE: dogs are removed from this list as they have an outcome! The dogs are starting to make their way back to DAS kennels, on sight at Dallas Animal Services. We will leave the listed dogs linked below until they have all had an outcome.
A1258573 BIBI
BOMBPROOF! 2yo, 46lb, BLONDE supermutt, youthful glow
A1258417 LUNA
3yo, 45lb, BROWN & BLACK hmmmm, understands "smize" and works it
A1258574 BEAUX
BOMBPROOF! 1yo, 48lb, BLACK pittie mix, not sure what the deal is - can you fill him in?
A1258157 NELLY
yo, 56lbs, FAWN and WHITE pittie mix, "tell me more about these treats you mentioned..."
A1258443 BEAST
BOMBPROOF! 1yo, 48lb, DARK GREY pittie mix, will work for belly rubs
For more info on any of these dogs or to meet a dog at Better Days, please email miranda.baietto@dallas.gov
For dogs listed as BACK AT DAS - follow their link and take action on site at Dallas Animal Services.
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WEDNESDAY AUGUST 20 2025
DAS Virtual Town Hall
Low positive dogs in foster are being retested for official verification. Most likely the dogs are Distemper-negative if they have not shown any symptoms after some time in foster.
There are now 5 unexposed rooms at the shelter.
PUBLIC SUPPORT NEEDED: Fosters and foster-to-adopts for low positives (and positives). And, any dog out of the shelter helps, of course!
There is a DAS staff meeting next week to determine if a goal date is possible to define, yet, for re-opening to normal intake.
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SAT AUG 16 @ 8pm
Shelter Management - LOW POSITIVES UPDATE
There is now a dedicated room for the low positive-test dogs for which the positive is believed to be vaccine interference.
Which means their deadlines will no longer be 24 hours but based on space as that room fills up, space as per the general population, or if any should show a confirmed positive.
Please check the DAS Urgent Page to review dogs with an EU deadline.
Some of these dogs, still in need of a home, are listed below but we will not continue to add the ongoing list.
Shelter Management - "BOMBPROOF DOGS"
There is a growing list of dogs which have gone through enough rounds of vaccination and testing that they are 99.9% protected from Distemper.
Please connect with DAS staff if you would like a list of these dogs via the appropriate department email: dasfoster@dallas.gov or dasadopt@dallas.gov
There are also several seasoned DAS dog content creators who will know this list of dogs and could help you choose one:
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FRI AUGUST 15 2025 @ 11am
Shelter Management - URGENT FOSTER PLACEMENT NEEDED
The below dogs all have tested with a low positive believed to be caused by vaccine interference (vaccine presenting as virus for a low positive test result).
UDPATE THURSDAY AUG 28: Mikey is in the all clear and has been removed from the urgent list. However, all dogs at DAS should be considered "urgent." They are all on limited time based on daily shelter intake vs outcomes. Always choose a dog which is a good match for your home's energy & lifestyle for a goodfit! We will leave MIKEY here until he sees an outcome since his info is already here!
MIKEY A1080242
- 6yo, 54lb, neutered, HW-
- alum, previously adopted 2019
- medium energy
- good on leash
- social, likes getting pets
- PLAYGROUP: Dog was high energy coming out to yard and quickly joined play with the others. Does well with similar energy dogs as his energy can be too much for gentle group. Enjoys sticking with others for play and socializing.
- BOMBPROOF!
"I observed Mikey from his half kennel. He began wagging his tail in a medium speed when he saw me, making eye contact with gentle eyes. He had a friendly demeanor" -VOLUNTEER
"Mikey is an excellent running buddy, very friendly and social." -D90 RUNNER
"Mikey is very sweet - excited to have some company but sat well for photos and treats, solicited pets and very nice demeanor!" -VOLUNTEER
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THURSDAY AUGUST 14 2025 @ 10pm
DAS Virtual Town Hall 8/13/25 recap
Approaching things a bit differently this Distemper outbreak, DAS staff is so far seeing success with their strategy to eradicate the virus from the building as quickly as possible.
Volunteers and Staff will continue to wear PPE in all situations.
A few pods/rooms of dogs have been cleared of the virus and those dogs can now go to their corresponding play yard or for walks on the walking trail. Yay!
Multiple pods/rooms have been cleared for limited, in-kennel engagement with PPE changed between each.
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WEDNESDAY AUGUST 13 2025 @ 4pm
Shelter Management - URGENT FOSTER PLACEMENT NEEDED
The below dogs all have tested with a low positive believed to be caused by vaccine interference (vaccine presenting as virus for a positive outcome).
UDPATE TUESDAY SEPT 2: All dogs made it out and have been removed from this article to keep focus on dogs still needing placement!
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WEDNESDAY AUGUST 13 2025 @ 11am
Operation Kindness Press Release - MONETARY SUPPORT FOR FOSTERS
To help dogs with canine distemper recover more quickly, reduce the risk of exposure to healthy dogs, and relieve space at the shelter, DAS is in urgent need of temporary fosters. To support volunteers fostering dogs with distemper symptoms, the Friends of Dallas Animal Services initiative of Operation Kindness is supplementing external veterinary care costs, up to $250 per dog, at Preston Center Animal Clinic. You can learn more about fostering with DAS at https://bedallas90.org/foster/.
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TUESDAY AUGUST 12 2025 @ 8:30pm
Shelter Management - URGENT FOSTER PLACEMENT NEEDED
>>UPDATE WED AUG 13 @ 11am JELLY is in foster and Adoptable!
- 9mo, 37lb, not yet spayed, HW-
- 7/12 Stray
- sweet, calm, timid, good manners
- knows sit, gentle treat taker
- PLAYGROUP: timid then opened up to socialize
- good on leash
- appears potty trained
"Never pulled on leash. She's a lap dog and very affectionate. She was so great, I grabbed her for a Daycation." -VOLUNTEER
"She loves car rides and will climb on your lap to get the best window seat. She loves a little playful tussle with her human. At a restaurant setting, while we ate, she stayed down and took a little nap. No begging, no barking, just pure chill. Very sweet and affectionate, and loves giving hugs and kisses!" -DAYCATION
"Jelly is the sweetest puppy with a charming demeanor. A delightful running buddy, affectionate, and leash trained." -D90 RUNNER
"Jelly is such a sweet girl! I sat down & she ran over and got in my lap & stayed there for the longest time soaking up all the love.
She knows sit & sat for treats taking them gently." -VOLUNTEER
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MONDAY AUGUST 11 2025 @ 8:30am
DLB FYI - GRAB A DOG IN FOSTER!
If you are hesitant about grabbing a dog directly from the shelter for Adoption, Foster to Adopt, or Foster - grab a pup already in a foster home! Foster dogs will have home notes with more detailed info known about them. FIND A DOG IN FOSTER AT DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES at bedallas90.org/pets - check box for CARE STATUS as "In Foster," Choose SPECIES "Dog." Click APPLY to sort. SUBMIT AN INQUIRY and foster will be in touch. If you do not hear back within 48 hours, please email dasfoster@dallas.gov with the pet's name, ID number, and "foster inquiry" in email subject.
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SUNDAY AUGUST 10 2025 @ 11:30am
Shelter PR - PPE DONATIONS NEEDED
DAS put out a call on social media for PPE Donations specifically medical gowns and coveralls. Donations may be dropped off directly at DAS during business hours or ordered from the DAS Amazon Wishlist.
DLB FYI - ROOM 12 and BETTER DAYS DOG LIST REGULARLY UPDATED (Saturday entry, below)
Status for these dogs updated once a day.
Shelter Management - NEXT BATCH OF PCR TESTS BACK MON or TUES
The next batch of lab results will likely come back Monday or Tuesday and at that time low positives (likely vaccine interference cases) will be urgently promoted for same-day placement. High positives will be identified for euthanasia. Grabbing any dog for foster may help them avoid this fate - the safest place for all the dogs is outside of the shelter! If they are out of the shelter and a positive test comes back, the foster may choose to treat the dog, in home, while in foster.
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SATURDAY AUGUST 9 2025 @ 1:30pm
Shelter Management - BETTER DAYS BOARDING ACTING AS OFF-SITE ADD'L ADOPTION SHELTER
A batch of dogs which have initial first Distemper vaccines + at least one negative Distemper PCR tests are being housed at Better Days Project Boarding in the Dallas Design District. If you see a dog's location listed as "BOARDING" on their DAS website profile page, this is where they are. Please contact miranda.baietto@dallas.gov for connection about a dog in boarding.
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SATURDAY AUGUST 9 2025 @ 12pm
Shelter Management - HIGH PRIORITY PLACEMENTS
Two groups of initial, negative-test dogs have been accumulated in boarding at the Better Days Project Dallas facility and in ROOM 12 at DAS.
These two groups of dogs are the next priority of dogs to remove from the shelter system as soon as possible via Foster to Adopt, Foster, or Rescue.
You may review a dog at bedallas90.org/pets and type in their name or ID number.
To take action to inquire about or meet a dog at Better Days, please email miranda.baietto@dallas.gov
To take action to inquire about or meet a dog at Dallas Animal Services, please email the foster department with the dog's name, ID number as the email subject: dasfoster@dallas.gov Please note you ARE able to outright adopt dogs but because of the disease outbreak, foster to adopt is recommended. Don't forget the 333 Rule when bringing a new dog home to set you, your household, and the new dog up for success!
NOTE: Pre-lab indicates an EU Deadline - click this link to find a deadline date
DOGS IN DAS ROOM 12 with a negative Distemper PCR Test
(this list was deleted - please check the DAS website for urgent dogs!)
DOGS AT BETTER DAYS BOARDING
8/28 This list has been moved to the top of this article! Dogs are deleted fromthelistonce they see an outcome.
Dogs listed as "BOARDING" as their location on bedallas90.org/pets are at BETTER DAYS.
For more info on any of these dogs or to meet a dog at Better Days, please email miranda.baietto@dallas.gov
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FRIDAY AUGUST 8 2025
City of Dallas Press Release
Dallas Animal Services is urgently asking the public to temporarily foster dogs to separate and protect healthy pets from a recent distemper outbreak at the city shelter. With intake now limited to only the most critical cases, the shelter is relying on the community to step up and create space—and prevent further spread of the disease.
“Although we vaccinate dogs for distemper upon intake, it takes a few days before the vaccine becomes effective,” said Victoria Bennett, Assistant Director of Dallas Animal Services. “Even just three weeks of fostering can make a huge difference for a dog. This is a critical moment for Dallas to come together. People who can safely foster right now are literally helping stop the spread of disease and save lives in the process.”
Distemper is a highly severe and contagious virus that usually spreads from one dog to another through direct contact, such as coughing and sneezing. Unvaccinated puppies and dogs are vulnerable to exposure in the community.
Distemper is a preventable disease. Dogs can be protected by receiving a distemper vaccine from a veterinarian. It is recommended that puppies receive a distemper vaccine between six-eight weeks of age, followed by an annual booster vaccine to maximize protection from the disease.
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WEDNESDAY AUGUST 6 2025
DAS Virtual Town Hall
Distemper has been detected all over the building.
The shelter believes patient zero was likely a puppy at the end of June or beginning of July.
PCR Tests have been performed on about 30% of the population.
If a dog comes back with a positive Distemper test, they are being euthanized.
Distemper can be treated but it is a 1-on-1 responsive to that dog's symptoms ,as they change, situation which is impossible to do in an overcrowded shelter.
The safest places for the dogs is outside of Dallas Animal Services.
The dogs cannot leave their kennels - no walks, no playgroup or play yard, no meet & greets, no kennel cuddling.
Largest risk of spread is from staff which are around so many dogs while they clean, feed, etc. There is protocol in place for PPE and cleaning to curb spread as much as possible.
All dogs are vaccinated upon intake. Most vaccine history on intake dogs is not known. Two weeks later, dogs will receive their boosters, including Distemper.
DA2PP vaccine is the core set of vaccines for all dogs. When you take your dog to the vet for their annual vaccines - that is the core group. The "D" is Distemper. A fully-vaccinated, adult dog is 99.9% protected from contracting Distemper.
A recent vaccine can show as a false positive as they move to test all the DAS dogs. Meaning - the vaccine presents as the virus in results.
The last DAS Distemper outbreak took a year to fully eradicate from the shelter.
With community support, eradication could happen inas little as 4-6 weeks.
