Thousands of dogs and cats across Texas face adoption holds and a heightened risk of euthanasia as officials work to stop the spread of the New World screwworm, an insect that has crossed from Mexico into the United States for the first time in 60 years.
The flesh-eating parasite threatens the country's $113 billion beef industry, leading federal officials to close the border to cattle movements. Because the screwworm can also infect household pets, most states have restricted animal transport from affected Texas areas, resulting in crowded conditions at state shelters dependent on rehoming animals elsewhere.
