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‘Mass euthanasias’: Screwworm could have deeper implications for Texas’ already-crowded animal shelters
By Guest Contributor at Odessa American (oaoa.com)
· June 19, 2026
· 8 min read
Horses at the Houston SPCA are given fly boots to protect their hooves from the New World screwworm. Their hooves are exposed to the elements, which make them vulnerable to wounds. (Photo Courtesy of SPCA Houston)
By Jayme Lozano Carver, The Texas Tribune
LUBBOCK After the New World screwworm was...
Key takeaway “They will do mass, mass, mass euthanasias if they aren’t allowed to move the animals out of the quarantine zones,” said Rebecca Giamona, a veterinarian with Austin Pets Alive.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The screwworm outbreak poses a significant threat to Odessa 's already strained animal shelter system. With the Texas Animal Health Commission's quarantine orders in place, the movement of animals out of affected areas is severely limited, which could lead to a surge in shelter populations. This is particularly concerning for Ector County, where animal shelters are already struggling to cope with the number of stray animals. The potential for mass euthanasias is a grim reality that animal advocates in Odessa are likely to face if the outbreak is not brought under control. As the situation unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor the impact of the quarantine orders on local shelters and to explore alternative solutions to manage the animal population, such as increased adoption efforts or temporary foster care programs, to mitigate the risk of euthanasia and ensure the welfare of animals in the region.
About this story
Original reporting by Odessa American (oaoa.com) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Odessa American (oaoa.com) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 19, 2026 ·
Source: Odessa American (oaoa.com) ·
Reading time: 8 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Horses at the Houston SPCA are given fly boots to protect their hooves from the New World screwworm. Their hooves are exposed to the elements, which make them vulnerable to wounds. (Photo Courtesy of SPCA Houston)
By Jayme Lozano Carver, The Texas Tribune
LUBBOCK After the New World screwworm was...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 19, 2026 by Odessa American (oaoa.com) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Guest Contributor at Odessa American (oaoa.com). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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