Residents press council over animal-shelter care and distemper outbreak; staff says disease is driving temporary changes

Several residents used the council public-comment period to press the city on animal-shelter conditions, disease control and coordination with rescue organizations.

Multiple speakers said the city shelter lacks a full-time veterinarian and that animals have been left untreated or abandoned at the shelter. One commenter said a group of rescuers retrieved a dog a caller reported and criticized the shelter for failing to act. Lidia Zavala and other public speakers described repeated calls about abandoned animals and said they had received the same automated responses when seeking help.

Director Watson responded to the public comments, saying the shelter is managing a distemper outbreak (described in the meeting as “distemper”) and that low vaccination rates in the community increase the disease risk. Watson stated the shelter has temporarily adjusted intake practices and is using additional abatements and measures to manage disease spread. The presentation referenced other shelters in the region that temporarily closed due to distemper.

Why it matters: an active infectious-disease outbreak in a municipal shelter affects animal welfare and public expectations for animal control responsiveness. Residents said rescue groups have incurred costs for vet care and vaccinations when animals are removed from the street.

Clarifying details from the meeting: - Staff identified canine distemper as the disease complicating shelter operations and cited low vaccination rates as a contributing factor. - Residents said an absence of a full-time veterinarian and reported instances of animals dying in kennel runs; Director Watson acknowledged staffing and disease-control challenges and described temporary adjustments.

No formal council action on animal services is recorded in the provided excerpt; residents urged follow-up and improved coordination with nonprofit rescuers.