In response to a ‘distemper crisis’ at the Midland Animal Shelter, 147 canines were rescued over the weekend.
This comes after an April 18 press conference where the shelter announced it would euthanize canines at the facility on April 21.
According to a City of Midland Facebook post, a 30-hour fostering effort took place by local rescues and volunteers following the announcement, resulting in the rescue of 147 dogs. “Fix West Texas worked with the City of Midland and other rescues to make sure that no dog at the shelter this weekend will be euthanized because of the distemper crisis,” the Facebook post wrote.
Fix West Texas posted a live Facebook video on April 21 showing the Midland Animal Shelter crates empty and “not a bark” to be heard. Fix West Texas thanked the City of Midland, shelter staff, Fix West Texas team and volunteers, PetSmart Charities, University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine Shelter Medicine Program, Greater Good Charities, PetSmart, local news media, and supporters who contributed to the rescue efforts.
As the rescued canines were removed from the facility, Midland Animal Services closed their facilities April 22 to 23 to clean the shelter. Regular business hours are to resume later this week, according to the press conference.