Austin’s rescue community is scrambling after a contagious respiratory virus began sweeping through local dog kennels, and Austin Pets Alive! is sounding the alarm for foster homes and adopters. The nonprofit says it is taking in dozens of dogs from Austin Animal Services and urgently needs temporary homes to slow transmission and free up crowded kennels. Local officials stress the illness is highly contagious among dogs but is not known to infect people or cats.
Austin Animal Services posted an alert on its Austin Animal Services foster page, warning that dog fostering is currently limited to homes with no other dogs because of a "not fatal, dog-only respiratory virus" at the city shelter. The city is also urging extra precautions for anyone handling animals.
According to KVUE, Austin Pets Alive! has already pulled about 20 dogs from the municipal shelter and is hoping to place roughly 25-35 more into foster homes to ease the crunch.
How the virus spreads and what to watch for
Veterinary experts say the illness is part of the broader canine infectious respiratory disease complex. Symptoms typically include coughing, a runny nose and, in some cases, fever. Most infected dogs recover with supportive care. The University of Florida Shelter Medicine Program notes that outbreaks can move rapidly through kennels, and that co-infections can lead to more serious outcomes in vulnerable animals.
Shelters' immediate response
KVUE reports that Austin Animal Services confirmed its first case on Wednesday, Dec. 10, and that the city currently lists three confirmed cases along with at least 50 additional dogs showing respiratory symptoms. The station also reports the city transferred about 20 dogs to Austin Pets Alive! on Dec. 14 to open up kennel space, and that Austin Pets Alive! is asking fosters for roughly a three-week commitment so animals can complete testing and recovery.
The city’s alert reiterates that the virus does not infect people or cats. It does, however, have a sneaky side: it can hitch a ride on human hands, clothing or gear and then be passed along to dogs, according to the city’s foster page.
How to help
Anyone willing to foster or adopt can head to Austin Pets Alive!'s Town Lake Animal Center at 1156 W. Cesar Chavez St. or start a foster application and review resources on the organization’s website through Austin Pets Alive!. The group says it will provide orientation and support for new fosters, and staff will work to match each dog with a home that fits the household’s situation and capacity.
Shelter medicine specialists point out that getting healthy, adoptable dogs out of noisy, crowded kennels and into calm homes reduces stress and cuts the risk of infection spreading, a strategy widely used when respiratory illnesses flare. The University of Florida Shelter Medicine Program recommends prompt isolation, early diagnostic testing and limiting dog-to-dog contact while shelters manage an outbreak.
If your own dog starts coughing, sneezing or develops nasal discharge, contact your veterinarian and steer clear of dog parks, daycare and other group settings until your pet is cleared by a vet. For the latest local updates and to begin a foster application, visit Austin Pets Alive!.
