Important Update for Longhound Ranch Supporters: New World Screwworm and Its Impact on Rescue Operations
Dear Longhound Ranch Family,
Many of you have seen recent news reports about the return of the New World Screwworm (NWS) to Texas. While this parasite was eradicated from the United States decades ago, several confirmed cases have now been identified in Texas, prompting aggressive state and federal response efforts. The screwworm is a flesh-eating fly whose larvae infest open wounds of warm-blooded animals, including livestock, wildlife, pets, and, in rare cases, humans. Left untreated, infestations can cause severe injury or even death. (APHIS)
For Longhound Ranch, this issue is especially important because we are located in Medina County, which is currently included within the Texas Animal Health Commission's established New World Screwworm quarantine area. State officials have placed movement restrictions on warm-blooded animals within affected counties to help prevent the parasite from spreading further across Texas and the United States. (Texas Animal Health Commission)
How This Affects Our Rescue Efforts
The safety and well-being of our dogs remain our highest priority. However, the current quarantine measures may affect:
- Out-of-state adoptions by creating additional health certification, inspection, and transport requirements.
- Rescue transports to partner organizations in other states, which may experience delays or temporary suspensions.
- Foster placements outside the quarantine area, which may require additional approvals before movement can occur.
- Shelter transfers and rescue pulls, potentially reducing the number of dogs that can be moved quickly from overcrowded municipal shelters. (The Texas Tribune)
Some rescue organizations across Texas have already reported transport interruptions due to screwworm-related restrictions and airline concerns. (https://www.kltv.com)
What Longhound Ranch Is Doing
We are actively monitoring guidance from the Texas Animal Health Commission, USDA, and our veterinary partners. Every dog entering our program receives a thorough health evaluation, and we will continue to implement enhanced monitoring for wounds, skin conditions, and any signs that could indicate exposure to screwworm. (Texas Animal Health Commission)
Our team is also working closely with municipal shelters, private partners ,and adopters to navigate any additional requirements so that we can continue placing deserving dogs into loving homes whenever possible. Any active adoption request may require additional due diligence to ensure the safety of all.
How You Can Help
Now more than ever, local foster homes are critical. If transportation restrictions slow our ability to move dogs out of state, we may need additional foster families here in Texas to provide temporary care until permanent placement becomes possible.
You can help by:
- Becoming a foster family.
- Sharing adoptable dogs with friends and family.
- Donating toward veterinary care and transportation costs to large shelters such as Camo Rescue, Diamond Dachshund Rescue and others.
- Following and sharing our updates on social media.
The return of screwworm presents new challenges for animal welfare organizations throughout Texas, but our mission remains unchanged: saving vulnerable dachshunds and small-breed dogs from overcrowded shelters and giving them a chance at a better life.
Thank you for standing with Longhound Ranch during this evolving situation. With your support, we will continue adapting, advocating, and rescuing—one dog at a time.
Longhound Ranch Foster & Rescue
📞 830-444-0066
📧 info@longhoundranch.com
🌐 www.longhoundranch.com
We will continue providing updates as new information becomes available from state and federal animal health authorities.