[DakotaRed]

As sad as it is, several of these abandoned pets are very likely infected to disease from the waste water and from wild animals in the area. Euthanizing, by shot or shooting, just may be in the best interest of all.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/218107_pets30.html

The link discusses a returning disease, caught by dogs from racoons and passed to humans. It is from the Northwest, but if it can be passed here, it can be passed elsewhere.

[MarMema]

Thanks for sharing this. I am going to look into vaccines.