Every so often, news headlines warn of an outbreak of kennel cough. Pet parents are cautioned to keep their dogs away from dog parks, kennels, or daycares. In extreme cases, animal shelters close, and rescue transports are halted.
In July 2024, for example, a severe kennel cough outbreak hit animal shelters in Delaware. Public health officials issued a temporary, one-month lockdown to stop the spread.
The lockdown prevented animal shelters from receiving new animals from out-of-state organizations, adopting animals to non-Delaware families, and transferring animals to partner rescues in other states. State officials acknowledged that the stress on the shelters was “significant.”
Outbreaks like the one in Delaware can prompt many pet owners to ask questions such as: What is kennel cough, and how worried should we be about it?
