TEXAS CITY — The last disease outbreak at the Joe Vickery Animal Shelter forced workers to euthanize 16 dogs in March and close the center to adoptions.

The health district tried but couldn't identify the outbreak, which could have been distemper, a disease transmitted through respiratory secretions of an infected dog. It's no threat to humans.

Despite the outbreaks, two since December, the shelter has garnered satisfactory marks from state health inspectors the past two years. Satisfactory is the highest rating on state inspection forms.

The Texas Department of State Health Services inspects the Texas City shelter, 3412 25th Ave. N., biannually.

The latest inspection in December revealed the shelter was in good condition, although an inspector commented it was short-staffed and not thoroughly cleaned.

Kurt Koopmann, a spokesman for the Galveston County Health District, which operates the shelter, said the number of animals taken in increased from 2006 to 2007, and the rate of those adopted, rescued or redeemed increased 19 percent. The shelter's euthanasia rate was down 4 percent during that time, Koopmann said.

Shelter Buddies, a group of volunteers that rescues dogs and finds adoptive homes, says disease and death among the shelter population is too high, especially among puppies.

Almost 30 percent of the Shelter Buddies' puppies rescued from within the shelter's walls have died this year.

"We don't have a way to keep track of how many may have passed away after leaving the shelter," Koopmann said.

The shelter offers coupons to people who've had animals die within 30 days of adoption.

Since December, the shelter issued 58 coupons, an average of eight a month, Koopmann said. The coupons waive an adoption fee for another animal.

"We know the numbers are not accurate for several reasons," Koopmann said. "We know there are probably more, but not everybody contacts us and not everybody wants another animal. The majority returned do tend to be puppies and kittens."

Some of the animals come to the shelter with diseases, Koopmann said. Others that are healthy contract disease once brought to the shelter, he said.

The shelter charges an $85 adoption fee that covers sterilization, vaccinations and a microchip for identification.

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By The Numbers

Year—Animals in—Animals out—Euthanized

2006—8,082—3,088—4,696

2007—8,984—3,680—4,493

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For More Information Contact:

Kurt Koopmann