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Animal Shelter Urges Pet Vaccinations After Distemper Case
Washington County-Johnson City Animal Shelter takes measures to prevent spread of deadly virus
Published on Feb. 19, 2026
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The Washington County-Johnson City Animal Shelter has reported a case of distemper in a puppy at their facility. Distemper is a highly contagious and often fatal virus that affects dogs, with a mortality rate of 50% in adults and 80% in puppies. The shelter is working with specialists to implement testing protocols and ensure the health of animals prior to adoption, while reassuring the public that the shelter remains open for adoptions.
Why it matters
Distemper outbreaks at animal shelters can be devastating, leading to the illness and potential death of many animals if not properly contained. This case highlights the importance of pet vaccination and the challenges open-admission shelters face in managing infectious diseases while continuing operations and adoptions.
The details
After a puppy tested positive for distemper, the Washington County-Johnson City Animal Shelter is taking steps to prevent the spread of the virus to other animals in their care. This includes working with specialists, implementing testing protocols, and ensuring the health of animals before they are made available for adoption. The shelter remains open to the public during this time.
- The puppy tested positive for distemper recently.
The players
Washington County-Johnson City Animal Shelter
An open-admission animal shelter that is working to contain a distemper case and protect the health of the animals in its care.
Tammy Davis
The executive director of the Washington County-Johnson City Animal Shelter.
What they’re saying
“Our shelter is NOT closed to the public. We currently have dogs and cats available for adoption and would love to help you find your best friend.”
— Tammy Davis, Executive Director (Facebook)
“We are working closely with a specialist to implement testing protocols and ensure dogs are healthy prior to adoption. The safety and well-being of our shelter pets – and our community's pets – is our top priority.”
— Tammy Davis, Executive Director (Facebook)
“Distemper is preventable with proper vaccination. Let this serve as an important reminder to keep your pets up to date on vaccines and to avoid contact with unknown or unvaccinated animals.”
— Tammy Davis, Executive Director (Channel News 11)
What’s next
The shelter will continue to work with specialists to monitor the situation and ensure the health and safety of all animals in their care.
The takeaway
This case underscores the importance of pet vaccination and the challenges animal shelters face in managing infectious diseases. By taking proactive measures and educating the public, the Washington County-Johnson City Animal Shelter is working to protect the well-being of both shelter animals and the broader community.
