Stanislaus Animal Services Agency (SASA) has suspended non-emergency stray dog intake at its Ceres shelter, effective through July 12, following the detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus — commonly referred to as “strep zoo.”

The shelter remains open for pet adoptions during regular business hours and will continue to accept emergency intakes, including injured, aggressive, or visibly ill animals. This proactive step is being taken to safeguard both shelter animals and community pets while containment and treatment efforts are underway.

Strep zoo is a fast-moving and highly contagious bacterial infection that affects dogs and can lead to serious illness in shelter environments where animals are housed in close quarters. In response, SASA is working closely with its regional rescue partners to place healthy dogs in temporary foster homes and reduce the shelter’s population density. Enhanced health and safety protocols — including increased sanitation and targeted treatment — are also in place.

Every Fourth of July, shelters see a spike in lost animals due to fireworks and backyard celebrations. With intake temporarily paused, community support is more critical than ever. If you find a loose or stray dog, please help by:

• Posting a photo and location on platforms like Ring, Nextdoor, and local lost-and-found pet Facebook groups - most dogs are found within a mile of their home.

• Holding onto healthy, non-aggressive pets temporarily while searching for their owners, if you’re able.

For updates or questions about adoption services and emergency intakes, please visit www.StanislausAnimalServices.com or call (209) 558-PETS.