The Stockton Animal Shelter has closed for two weeks after the discovery of a highly contagious and often fatal disease for dogs in the shelter.

The bacterial illness, streptococcus zooepidemicus or “strep zoo,” is an infection that causes bleeding into the lungs, according to the National Library of Medicine. Symptoms come on suddenly with fever, difficulty breathing and bloody nose.

“All stray intake and adoptions will be temporarily halted for the next 14 days, 10/17/2025 through 10/31/2025,” the shelter said Thursday on social media. “During this time, we will also be doing a full, thorough disinfecting of the facility to prevent any further spread.”

Anyone who finds a stray animal during the closure is urge to post flyers in the neighborhood and share information on social media, the shelter said.

Stray animals will be accepted by Stockton Animal Services on an appointment basis after the quarantine period ends, the shelter said.