Dade Animal Services Re-Opens Rabies Clinic
MIAMI - (CBS4) – After days of scrubbing and disinfecting following a canine distemper outbreak, Miami-Dade's Animal Services re-opened their rabies and microchip clinic on Sunday.
The clinic, located at the Medley shelter at 7401 NW 74th Street, will be open until 4 p.m. Regular hours for the clinic during the week will be from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Animal Services is still not accepting puppies and dogs; they are also not picking up stray dogs.
Cat intakes and adoptions continue as do spay and neuter programs for cats.
A little more than a week ago when word got out that the dogs at the shelter had to be adopted, placed with temporary caregivers or else face euthanasia, South Florida showed up in force.
"We saved over 500 animals between Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The community came out in full force, our rescue partners were amazing. People were camped in the lobby, people waited six to seven hours to adopt," said Sara Pizano, Director of Animal Services.
Animal Services is asking for donations of dog toys which can easily be disinfected; they're usually made out of thick plastic, no hollow balls or toys in which water can get inside.
Canine distemper, which is highly contagious, can be prevented with vaccinations. Most dogs with distemper suffer from gastrointestinal and respiratory problems like diarrhea, fever, cough, runny nose and vomiting, as well as neurological complications.
